Cutting slight diagonal angles on cheapo wet saw

jdbs3 · 11-07-2011, 05:58 PM

I'm installing 12" x 12" porcelain tiles, but the walls are not square. Thus, all cut tiles need to be cut on a slight diagonal. For example, for a nice straight line along the tub, one tile will go from 5 3/4" on one side to 5 5/8" wide on the other side.

The wet saw I am using is one of the cheapo brands where you push or pull (in my case) the tile through the 4" diamond blade. That is, there is no platform you set the tile on and then push the platform under the blade as in the Home Depot rentals.

I've tried two methods (1. place tape along side the cutting line, 2. use no tape but use a pencil or sharpie to mark the line) and then do a freehand cut. The cuts do not come out straight from one side to the other.

What I need is a 'fence' of some sort that I could lay along side the cutting line and have it somehow stay in place as I pull the tile along the fence for a nice straight cut.

Any ideas on how I might do this?

thanks

alan45371 · 11-07-2011, 08:33 PM

I've had the same issue. I used masking tape successfully. The trick is to make the first cut "close" to the tape to remove most of the material, then go back, and with only slight pressure rub off the remaining material on the diamond blade. Just sort of work it forward and back, lightly contacting the blade until you get to the tape. Then use a tile stone to smooth the edges. By the type you grout/caulk, nobody but you will ever notice the slight imperfections.

You can pick up a tablesaw fence at Sears and clamp it to your cheaper table?

jimmy21 · 11-07-2011, 11:27 PM

Put a tooth pick (or something thicker) in between your fence and tile at either the front or back corner

jdbs3 · 11-08-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy21

Put a tooth pick (or something thicker) in between your fence and tile at either the front or back corner

No idea what this means??

What I need is a 'fence' of some sort that I could lay along side the cutting line and have it somehow stay in place as I pull the tile along the fence for a nice straight cut.

Does anyone have an idea for how to improvise a fence?

I'll also check Sears to see what they have for fences, but in this case I need one I can place at a very slight angle.

jimmy21 · 11-08-2011, 11:50 AM

Stick a shim at a corner of the tile so it holds it at a slight angle. Then just cut it like you normal would a straight piece