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I am doing a 350sf tile floor and need to purchase a new wetsaw. I’ve always rented
them but now need to buy. So which one should I buy. I want something that can cut
12×12 tile on a 45 degree bevel (edge miter). I am looking to spend about $300 to
$400. Is there anything out there like this that is of some decent quality. Can anyone
help me?
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RENT
When you decide that your skills/projects deserve a capital investment----$1,000 for ceramic tile---$2-3,000 for one or more saws that will stand up to production/accuracy and add another $1,000 for the different blades for specific materials.
Care to ask me why? or do you instead wish to sell materials which will make the reasons evident?
Your budget of $3-400.00 is a dead give-away to your experience in the trade.
Of course everyone had to start somewhere right?
Tim the Tool Man
*If you want a larger horsepower saw (I'd recommend at least 1-1/2, 2 being better)for 3-400 you need to look at used ones. MK660 can rip a 12" tile, and you could bevel the edge on it too...but its hard. I think the MK is about 550 new. Been awhile since I bought mine. I only use it for jobs where the tile is 6x6 and smaller, excluding mosaic, and relatively easy to cut. For larger tile I'd recommend the MK101 Pro at 2hp. But you're looking at $1000 for just the saw. I'd keep renting until you can up your budget.
*PAT in PA.Theres this wet saw that Home cheapo sells for less than $100. I watched a guy demo it, was impressed and bought it. I've done 4 tile jobs since with it, I've cut lots of 1/2" thick tile, cut curves and bevels and even holes in tile for outlets with it. Once I even used it to cut patio bricks. It looks like a little table saw, with a fence and a diamond blade. Some of the guys here will give me a bad time for recommending this but it has worked for me...http://www.plasplugs.com/dww101.htmjiml
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Bought one of the Plasplugs myself for $119 and it was recommended over the higher priced models. As a homeowner who does infrequent projects it was a better deal than running back and forth for rentals.
I used it for marble and it was slow but accurate. Haven't figured out how to bevel the leading edge though. Anyone have a suggestion when using this model? I also have a Fein Multi-master I could use if it won't damage the finish.
Don't forget: Some marble requires epoxy mortar to prevent warping, as strange as that sounds.
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Steve, by "bevel the leading edge", do you mean the edge you're cutting?, the table will tilt up and allow you to cut a 45....jim
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Jim, by leading edge I mean the top facing edge that will be exposed after putting in the backsplash. The 12x12 piece came with all edges slightly beveled. I'm trying to duplicate it because I had to make 4 3" cuts and two will need to be beveled. I would like all the backspash to have the same beveled edge profile.
Thanks
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I also have, and use the Plasplug model tile saw.
Rib me all you want - I've done several bathrooms, a couple of kitchens (floors and countertops), and some outdoor tile work.
This little saw cost me about $140.00 3 years ago, and it has earned its keep many times over. I bought it in a pinch, and I love it. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to set up. On really thick tiles (5/8" to 1") it cuts a little slow, but it cuts accurately and leaves a good, smooth edge.
When using this little saw, don't stand directly in front of the blade or you'll get soaked. I learned this the firs time, and now I stand a little to the side while using it.
Good luck...
James DuHamel
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Joseph FuscoView Image"Whenever, therefore, people are deceived and form opinions wide of the truth, it is clear that the error has slid into their minds through the medium of certain resemblance's to that truth." Socrates
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Well, that goes to show you that cheap ain't always crap! I'm a little bummed, 'cause I shelled out half a grand for an MK (540??) - it's not the full size industrial, but it works the same, just much noisier. It's basically a grinder stood on it's head with a large diamond cutting wheel, and a sliding table sitting on a tub. Still cheaper than renting the full size one, tho. And it's portable enough (I set it up on a rectangular trash can), that I can't justify buying the Plasplug saw now... DAMN! wish I'd known all you had such good experience with it - I'd have bought that little Plasplug years ago.
btw - I picked up the Makita 3.5" cordless a few years back for a remodel. It came with a water bottle and a diamond blade. Works great for cutting away tile in place, i.e. - tub, shower remodels.
*The Plasplugs model DWW105 sells for $105 at http://www.buildscape.com and if you use a $50 off coupon now offered - #B951227S - that's quite a deal. I just bought one on the strength of these recommendations. Offer expires 1/15/00. Came to $62.63 shipped.
*I'm looking to cut fairly small pieces of 1.25" thick soapstone. Do you folks think that this would be beyond the capabilities of the Plasplugs?
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Mark, the plasplugs website says 1 inch maximum cut. But I bet you could figure out a way to make it work.
Or rent a big wetsaw for 35-40 bucks.
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Jim L or anyone using a Plasplug have any idea how to bevel the edge of an already cut slice of marble. The bevel has to replicate the factory beveled edge which is no more than an 1/8" in depth. I can't believe that unit is now $63 by mail. I should buy a second one and rent it out to my friends who want to keep borrowing mine.
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Buildscape.com is for real, could not find any coupon for $50 off. The site search didn't find it either. Thought at that price I might as well have one. Not to be apparently.
J Menz where are you? Joe H
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The discount offer I noted was in an e mail from Buildscape and is plugged in at checkout before your purchases are totaled. Fill your cart and proceed to checkout. Again the offer # is B951227S. Sorry for the posting being so close to expiration of the offer.
Better yet http://www.buildscape.com/superstore/product/?pid=54478&prodcatid=3451&from=cat
The offer.
"In celebration of the Y2K, and the beginning of
Buildscape's Y2, we'd like to extend an incredible
thank you offer to our inaugural year customers ---
$50 off your next purchase! Order $100.00 or more
in merchandise from Buildscape before January 15th,
and we'll take $50 off the bill, instantly.
Simply enter the coupon code of B951227S upon checking out,
and the discount will instantly appear on your order.
http://visit.buildscape.com/y2koffer
Of course, with every good offer there's a few rules,
but these are simple too...
Discount does not include tax or shipping. You can
use this coupon code only once. Offer valid for
Superstore purchases only, and does not apply
to House Plans, Auctions, Mortgages or orders
already placed. Not valid with any other coupon
or discount offer at checkout.
Hurry now! This offer will expire soon."
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With the help of some email directions I managed to penetrate the laberinth & find the Holy Grail coupon deal way down the path in the check out line. Got the same saw with UPS ground shipment for $68+.
The Makita that Sawdust mentioned uses an oddball Makita only blade. I think I paid about $30 for just a blade. When they gotcha they gotcha. Same blade with a standard hole is about $10 at the local rock & tile tool store. Joe H
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Joe -
Your right about that Makita - thanks for the tip on the blades - I'll check around up here. I received one with the package the store put together and my partner bought another. He's gone (back to commercial fishing), but I still have the blade :) I don't use it all that often. Most of my Makitas are gathering dust now... all the cordless I use now are DeWalts. Now, I just gotta upgrade to those new 24V models!
*Hey j menz! Thanks for the tip! Just now ordered one. I had seen these at HD and wondered if they were any good. I was surprised to see how many of you guys have one! Thanks to all for the comments.
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About a year ago I was looking for a wet tile saw, MK in particular. A couple of gentlemen on BreakTime recommended the MK-660. I bought. It is quiet and powerful. I also have a Plasplug that works great too. I have cut a lot of tile with both. The Plasplug for $68.00, a half a dozen of them would take you into Y3K.-----------MAZZ
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So today a flyer from Woodworker's Warehouse arrives and they're selling the Plasplugs saw at around $68. Can't say $ exactly because the flyer is already recycled.
So if anyone finds their way to here and feels they missed a good offer - an almost as good offer exists and price matching with 10% discount should make it very good.
I too bought the Plasplugs on the strength of the above recommendations.
*MK 470... just pulled it out for another job...
*I'm not familiar with the different hardnesses of marble, but when I did my fireplace surround with green marble tiles, I was able to easily sand the bevel you describe with a sanding block and medium grit paper. Use 400-600 grit wet/dry silicone carbide paper for the final sanding and it will look polished. I even did the exposed factory edges that don't come polished, and it turned out perfect. Good luck!
*Dave L. Thanks for the tip. That's a lot easier and safer than trying to bevel using the tilt feature and hand feeding the sheets.Anyone know where the next Plasplugs deal is. A friend of mine wants his own.
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I am doing a 350sf tile floor and need to purchase a new wetsaw. I've always rented
them but now need to buy. So which one should I buy. I want something that can cut
12x12 tile on a 45 degree bevel (edge miter). I am looking to spend about $300 to
$400. Is there anything out there like this that is of some decent quality. Can anyone
help me?