diy'er on LI

we're getting closer to the start date of our project

I'm planning to buy some ditra underlayment and I'm now thinking about tile saws...

I know it's not a good idea to buy a cheap tool... but I was thinking that buying a moderately priced bridge tile saw (at least 24" capacity, and good for porcelain... not necessarily needed for brick) might be a sound investment since we intend to tile another 2 large bathrooms and a large eat-in-kichen in the next few years. In all cases, we likely will be going with either porcelain or stone, and knowing us, we'll likely select large tiles. (We're not into diagonal tile patterns, so diagonal cuts aren't an issue for our projects)

Right now, I can't even find a place on long island that rents a tile saw for 24" porcelain tiles (I only saw home depot's small tile saw for rent..), so I have no idea what the cost would be per day. I'm presuming at least $75?

I was looking at amazon and some builder's websites at reviews of saws that might suit our DIY'er needs... what do you think of these?

http://www.contractorsdirect.com/Til...idge-Saw-83230
like the fact that it hooks directly onto the hose... it's a new model, so there are no reviews

http://www.contractorsdirect.com/Til...rutus-Tile-Saw
no reviews for this one either... but it's not as cheap as QEP's intro model ($300) which had sort of biphasic reviews (some awful, others glowing)

I obviously want to avoid chewing through blades and chipping my $40 a piece 24" sq tiles... and I've read that some saws have a horrible vibration that isn't exactly helpful towards that cause...

any advice or other product recommendations are greatly appreciated

thanks, yet again, for your help!

JazMan

No personal experience with any of those. While you're at it also consider this bridge saw from Harbor Freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97360 Again no personal experience but have heard a few good comments for something this inexpensive.

Jaz

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Bud Cline

Do yourself a favor and buy a 10" saw. You shouldn't have any trouble re-selling it getting your money out of it when you are done.

diy'er on LI

I definitely don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish... those huge tiles are our budget busting item... I would be very sad if the edges chipped. Maybe the brutus (#2)? It's a 10" that has most common features. (Loved the idea of the hose hook-up for #1, but it has an 8" blade )

oh'mike

The "bridge" saws are a big pain.
How do you lift a tile to square a cut?
How do you make a plunge cut?

diy'er on LI

I'm confused. I thought bridge saws were better for 24" tile than regular saws....... This is my first attempt at tiling, so my lack of experience is obviously shining through....

a 10" saw that's NOT a bridge saw is more versetile? Do they give better straight cuts?

(#2 does do plunge cuts, at least according to the online description)

please help! I'd like to stay around $500, since we're only doing 4 rooms in total. what's the best option for 24" porcelain?

thanks!

diy'er on LI

it hurts, budget wise to do this... but I don't want to be penny-wise and pound-foolish...

so, what about getting a DEWALT D24000 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006FIOA2? It's $800... a lot for a DIY'er, but on the flipside, we DO intend to do about another 900 sq ft of porcelain/stone tile work in the coming years (all bathrooms, and an eat-in kitchen).

Is it overkill for our needs, or a sound investment? (I loathe selling stuff on craigs list... so I don't envision myself hocking it once we're through....)

R&D Tile

Your kidding me, right?

Ever hear of an angle grinder for that by your side when using a bridge saw, they are great for large format tile, love my Imer.

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diy'er on LI

this is driving me nuts! I hate shopping for a tool I've never used before.....

What about buying a felker 150? It doesn't rip 24", but it's a quality saw within my budget.

I guess my real question is this:
Would it be super difficult for a non-pro to flip tiles and get a perfect 24" cut without chipping?

R&D Tile

Not so much chipping, but not getting a true perfect cut.

If the cut sides aren't in the field, [just along walls where they will be covered] doesn't matter.

diy'er on LI

thanks so much... this is it. I am definitely going to stop being enigmatic and buy a darned saw!

I'll talk it over with my husband and we'll buy the dewalt if we can afford it, or if it's out of the budget range, we'll get the felker.

I'm leaning towards the dewalt simply because we're also putting up 24" wall tiles, and a 24" rip would be very very handy, if not essential.

we'll punch the #'s tonight. hopefully, we can afford the $800 saw

thanks so much to everyone for their advice!

diy'er on LI

just wanted to update:

we bought the 10" dewalt saw.... and a makita grinder....

geez... I think we're becoming DIY adults with all of these quality tools we're amassing!

Be very very afraid.... novice DIYers are on the loose with powerful tools!

Bud Cline