New Ridgid wet saw - Page 5 - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

CJKarl · 06-27-2008, 12:39 AM

I'm going to be doing a large room in a couple months. About 450 sq.ft of 3/4" Vermont Slate. What tile saw would you recommend. Some of the stones will be 24x24. I'm afraid the 3/4" is going to be too much for most saws.
Any opinions?

angus242 · 06-27-2008, 01:27 AM

As the overwhelming replies state, something with a baldor motor and you'll be laughing at 3/4". I think Bill V posted a video not so long ago (maybe even this thread) where he was laughing at over 2" of limestone with his Target.

CJKarl · 06-27-2008, 06:33 AM

Thanks

CJKarl · 06-27-2008, 06:40 AM

Saw this one $1495.00
More than I want to spend, but I do have some 24x24s coming up on a big job.
I'm sure a saw like that would last me a life time. I really don't do much tile, but high end stonework. Because the Vermont Slate the owners picked is 3/4 the tile guy turned the job over to me, the stone guy.

Bill_Vincent · 06-27-2008, 06:46 AM

WHat a maroon!! (the tile guy)

That saw is IDENTICAL to mine, only with different paint on it!

jjcards · 07-06-2008, 06:28 PM

I think I will give this Ridgid Wet saw a try now that I got to read some reviews on it.

thanks for all your input

Whip · 07-17-2008, 09:42 PM

Hey I own both of these saws i bought the dewalt first about 1 year ago and then bought the ridged about 6 months ago. I love the dewalt and can only say that i wish the stand was more like the rigid and the blade that it comes with is junk. the ridged on the other hand drips a lot of watter on the floor. It leeks out between the back of the tray and the frame making it hard to put in houses with sub floors or over hardwood. I know i can put my dewalt anywhere and i will not have any problems where as the ridged i have to keep in the garages or outside. If you buy the ridged buy a tarp. other then that i think that the ridged is easier to get in and out of the job sites it is all contained in one package. take it out of the truck pull the knobs and add watter. The dewalt i can guarantee three trips to grab all the parts then put it together and add watter. I did add a small weather strip to the back side of the tray and it stopped all of the leaking but it only lasted until i had to take the tray back out to wash it off. overall If you need to be able to bring it into a house that you may have to set it up over plywood, hardwood or any other finished surface buy the dewalt. other wise the ridged is a great saw. perfect for com. work over concrete. hope this helps

Project_Pat · 07-17-2008, 11:10 PM

I have used the Ridgid, as others have said it makes a mess with watter spray and IMO the tray is a little herkey-jerkey and not as smooth as others i have used........its a heavy sumbish to.

alboston · 08-03-2008, 04:25 PM

Bought the Ridgid a few weeks ago. Have done a 300sf 13x20 porcelain tile floor so far. Not a professional floor tiler but I have to say it is a great wet saw. The blade that comes with it is junk but that is expected. Not too much of a mess with water spray. The laser is great as well as the LED light. It is heavy but not too bad to carry with the tub and stand separate. Very happy so far.

SDGP · 03-04-2009, 12:20 PM

The stand is better on the rigid... the features are almost identical minus the extra tray... but the Dewalt weighs in at 69 lbs whereas the Rigid is 121 lbs. That 52lbs makes for a long trip up stairs and may require 2 people depending on awkwardness. On the note of the extra tray, the spray looks like it will be less on the Rigid because the spray guard wraps around the blade more than on the Dewalt.

I am still struggling with the choice of the two saws but thought that this might help some of you out there.

angus242 · 03-04-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDGP

The stand is better on the rigid... the features are almost identical minus the extra tray... but the Dewalt weighs in at 69 lbs whereas the Rigid is 121 lbs. That 52lbs makes for a long trip up stairs and may require 2 people depending on awkwardness. On the note of the extra tray, the spray looks like it will be less on the Rigid because the spray guard wraps around the blade more than on the Dewalt.

I am still struggling with the choice of the two saws but thought that this might help some of you out there.

I can tell you the Ridgid splash protection is crap. I helped a guy tiling and we just had his saw there (Ridgid). The overspray tray (behind the motor) doesn't seal to the pan and leaks horribly. I have owned the Dewalt and would say it's a definite step up over the Ridgid.
Of course, my new Felker is better than either

jarvis design · 03-05-2009, 10:58 AM

I do bathrooms, kitchens, etc. Tile is not my main or only business. I would like to replace my wet saw but have never seen either the Dewalt or Rigid up here in Canada (HD's here do not sell tile saws

)

I have read through this entire thread and have come to the conclusion that either the Dewalt or Rigid would suit the type of work I do. If I was doing "production" tile, I think I would side with Bill and stick with a Target.

Might have to make a trip across the border to check out these other saws - but am worried if I do have a problem I'm going to be stuck!

PrecisionFloors · 03-05-2009, 01:31 PM

Ok...suppose I can update my own thread eh? I picked up the Ridgid at the tail end of '07 and have used it on about 3k sf of work since. It has some nice features for sure, and some serious drawbacks as well.

The bevel, plunge, light and folding stand are great. That's about where the good ends. The laser works well, and can come in handy. But....you have to re-set it for accuracy after every cut. That makes it more aggravating than its worth imo. The water control is abysmal.. to be nice about it. I don't even like using it in an occupied house's garage without rigging up a big mud pan and some plastic.

The tray is nice and the extension, miter gauge, and ruler all work well. The squareness of the tray itself to the blade however, sucks. I have to adjust mine a lot more than I should imo. Adjustment is time consuming and the use of plain steel set screws in a wet environment is just plain poor design, I would seriously consider replacing them with stainless. Power wise it is very good, considering the price point. I have had no problems with the hardest of porcelains, even multiple cuts at a time. As expected the stock blade is garbage, plan on a new one immediately.

It is rather heavy, but the wheels built into the folding stand do a go job of allowing it to be transported by one person over hard surfaces. The stand also allows one person setup, once you get the hang of it.

Overall it is a decent saw for the money. For a few hundred bucks more you can get a lot better though. For a re-modeler who does tile a few times a month, I'd say it wouldn't be a bad choice.....just keep in mind the water issues, weight, and the fact that you will need to check/adjust tray alignment at the start of every job. For a tile setter that does tile every day....buy a Target/Felker and be done with it. You'll own the saw the rest of your life and it will do anything asked of it, every time it's asked, period.

I find myself using my snap cutter, 4" grinder, and my TM-75 on everything 12" and under. Especially showers and splashes. I've used all kinds of wet saws and lo and behold that little Felker I think is my favorite. If they could design one that would do 13s on a diagonal, that thing would sell like free cheeseburgers in Ethiopia.

Well, hope this little review helps somebody make a decision one way or the other.

Rob79 · 03-09-2009, 07:23 PM

I would stick with Felker. I have used plenty of saws & the felker is hands down the best saw. I find myself using my super compact on most jobs. The super compact is about 15+ yrs. old and never a problem. Cuts smoothe, straight, & very quiet.

Bill_Vincent · 03-11-2009, 08:47 AM

Rob-- which one do you have? I'm thinking about getting a smaller saw. That Super Tilematic is overkill for most jobs.

Rob79 · 03-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Bill I have two saws. My newest is the x3. The one you are referring to is the Tile Master SC(discontinued). I find myself using the SC most of the time. It is compact, you can carry it anywhere, & it can cut almost everything the x3 can.

PrecisionFloors · 03-11-2009, 12:41 PM

Rob whats the cut capacity on that SC? Is it belt or direct drive? Comparable to the TM-75?

R.J. Francis · 03-22-2009, 05:00 PM

New to the site, found it while researching the ridgid saw. Im in the same spot right now and cant make a decision on which saw to get. I owned the dewalt and it was a good saw (stolen) But i dont want to spend the 1,100 to replace it. saw the ridgid on sale at hd for 600, But my next 3 jobs are all 12x12 and smaller, so that got me looking at the mks and felkers
mk 330 w stand $350
felker 75 w stand $350
felker 150 w stand $575
ridgid $600
core cut economy $400

Im thinking of treating this new purchase like my miter saws have one for 12 and under and when a big job sells and i need the capacity break down and buy the felker or dewalt
Any input will be appreciated im gutting a bathroom monday and need to get something quick

Bill_Vincent · 03-22-2009, 05:28 PM

Although out of the choices you've given, my first choice would be the Felker, I'd even take an MK over a Rigid.

I put Rigid maybe one step above Harbor Freight.

R.J. Francis · 03-22-2009, 05:35 PM

Thanks am I missing one that you would consider?