Tile saw questions - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

lohlmohd · 08-04-2009, 07:12 PM

Greetings! We have been in the painting and remodeling business for years. I've done several small tile jobs with a small saw, and am ready to make the transition into doing more complex installations. After lots of research and reading reviews, I recently purchased the new Ridgid 10" saw, set it up and started using it.

I'm currently cutting 13" typical ceramic tile, everything was working great for the first few cuts. Now, the saw acts and sounds as though the bearing is bad. The cut is not true, it wants to bog down and "pull", and the blade has even started to "plow" into the plastic surrounding the cutting slot on the table. The blade has a degree of play in it also.

The obvious problem is that I have a faulty saw. Am I missing something? Thanks!

WarnerConstInc. · 08-04-2009, 07:38 PM

That's what happens when you get a cheap saw like that.

Got to spend some big bucks for a good wet tile saw.

angus242 · 08-04-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.

That's what happens when you get a cheap saw like that.

Got to spend some big bucks for a good wet tile saw.

I've used the Ridgid (not mine) and that was one of the biggest complaints I had with it....the blade wobbles. You cannot make a 100% straight cut. It's even worse when you try to miter with it.
The light on it is nice, however.

BCConstruction · 08-04-2009, 07:49 PM

Stick with a good quality cutter. I always end up back to my Felker cutter when tileing. quick, straight and realible.

WarnerConstInc. · 08-04-2009, 08:06 PM

I have a Rubi cutter, use it the most.

Donnie631 · 08-05-2009, 03:01 PM

I have an older ridgid cutter. 10" its a bit heavy, but have cut up to 24" ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone, no issues after a few years, paid about $800 or so for it. Cuts 22.5 and 45 bevels nicely,and the pivoting head is quite solid. I did a custom black granite countertop and backsplash last month and chamfered the edge of the top. the cuts were very nice, a simple polishing and the stone looked great.

lohlmohd · 08-05-2009, 08:32 PM

So, my next question is, are there any recommendations? I have no qualms about buying quality tools, but obviously made a bad decision on this one.

angus242 · 08-05-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lohlmohd

So, my next question is, are there any recommendations? I have no qualms about buying quality tools, but obviously made a bad decision on this one.

While you probably won't like the price, the quality is top notch:
http://www.felkersaws.com/fts-150-po...tile-saw.shtml
http://www.felkersaws.com/tile-maste...tile-saw.shtml
The Baldor motor is the schizbah!

Mike Finley · 08-05-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lohlmohd

So, my next question is, are there any recommendations? I have no qualms about buying quality tools, but obviously made a bad decision on this one.

For what it's worth, all the tile setters I have been working with for years have one by one all switched over to the Dewalt tile saw, every one of them. These guys are all very talented tile setters, almost all of them own a slew of tile saws from Felkers to MKs, which now all sit in their garages and only get pulled out for special purposes now.

angus242 · 08-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

For what it's worth, all the tile setters I have been working with for years have one by one all switched over to the Dewalt tile saw, every one of them. These guys are all very talented tile setters, almost all of them own a slew of tile saws from Felkers to MKs, which now all sit in their garages and only get pulled out for special purposes now.

Mike,

I recently did the opposite. I got rid of my Dewalt in January and got a Felker Tile Master XL and I can honestly say, the Dewalt is no competition. It's not that the Dewalt is a bad saw, it's just that the Felker is that much better. The only advantage of the Dewalt was the splash protection.

Taking a cue from Bill Vincent, I was gonna line up the Felker, Dewalt and Ridgid next to each other and cut a 1/2" piece of travertine to show the difference.
The Ridgid with an upgraded blade struggles.
The Dewalt with an upgraded blade struggles some.
The Felker with the stock blade never flinches. You don't hear the motor bog at all.
Of course, I sold the Dewalt before I could get all 3 saws together.

Oh yeah, the Felker is HEAVY. The Dewalt is not bad but the Ridgid has the stand connected to the saw it's actually pretty heavy too.

I can't say I can think of a situation where the Dewalt would be a better fit. Yes, it's lighter but I'm currently looking for a cheap Felker TM-75 now that it's been discontinued so I can have a lighter saw for small jobs.

I would say the Dewalt is quite a bit better than the Ridgid, but it's definitely no Felker (IMHO).

ssace · 08-06-2009, 09:06 PM

I'm using 7" husky wet tile saw I've had it for more than 3 years did about 50 bathrooms and the saw is still working good.

TileLady · 08-07-2009, 12:12 AM

I have the last generation rigid 10" saw and don't have any problems with it. Are you using the newest Rigid (the one that looks like it has ironing board legs)?

Have you checked to make sure that the angle adjustment is locked fully? Perhaps the knob is loose and you're getting play in it?

angus242 · 08-07-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TileLady

I have the last generation rigid 10" saw and don't have any problems with it. Are you using the newest Rigid (the one that looks like it has ironing board legs)?

Have you checked to make sure that the angle adjustment is locked fully? Perhaps the knob is loose and you're getting play in it?

If you were asking me, the saw I used (wasn't mine) was this model:
http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/WTS2000L...w/EN/index.htm

You could actually see the blade wobble after you turned it off and watch the blade spin slower and slower. Also trying to cut a 45° miter was pretty much impossible. Because of the blade wobble, the last 1" of tile would shatter every time.
Compared to the Dewalt, this Ridgid was definitely inferior. That's just my opinion.

mikeswoods · 08-07-2009, 07:49 AM

I've had a MK101 for 16 years. Damn heavy. still works fine. Felker or older targets do a fine job. Never tried a DeWalt? Tried someones little Ryobi

Good luck MIKE

ARI001 · 08-07-2009, 10:10 AM

I use an MK I couldn't tell you the model number but it always cuts true for me.

lohlmohd · 08-08-2009, 08:49 AM

Yes, mine is the latest generation Riidgid 10" that the legs look like an ironing board. I've tried all of the adjustments, it still does the same thing. I'm pretty convinced that the bearing is out of the saw. Too bad, I like all of the features, but it is going back today, and I probably won't get another one.

I've done more research, and am leaning towards the Felker 150 instead of the X3, just because of the weight difference. Anybody know anything about the Pearl machines? Not heard of them before, but they sure seem attractive. Thanks for all the info.

WarnerConstInc. · 08-08-2009, 10:03 AM

I've had a mk-101 pro with a baldor motor for a few years now. It's a champ, it's also darn heavy.

charimon · 08-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Interesting... I love the DeWalt saw and i hate De Walt just because.
Here is my thot on the DeWalt that i posted on another fourm

in reply to
With out hesitation I would recommend the DeWalt over any saw in its class. I sold my Raimondi Gladiator after using a buddy's and bought one 2 1/2 years ago. It now has over 60,000 ft of install under its belt and is still going strong. The fact that you can break it down into 4 parts none weighing over 45# (pull the roller table from the body, the tub and stand)means you can easily portage it. The other possibility is the new MK misting saw.
As far as the big Baldor powered Husvarna's (Target and Felker)and Mk's go, they have been displaced by, in my opinion, the ease of bevel, weight and capacity for its size, of the DeWalt, which has proved to hold up under heavy daily use.
Thanks Craig

I have never had issues of the blade wandering off line or the motor bogging down, If it is, that may be a Feed rate issue.
Thanks Craig

**ChrWright** · 08-10-2009, 05:31 PM

I've had the Felker TileMaster 8+ years and it's been a real workhorse.

I'm on the original pump, 2nd tub, 3rd switch, and second plug adapter.

Still, for as much hard use it's had I'm surprised I've not had more major maintenance issues with it. It still cuts clean, straight, and without vibration or wobble after thousands and thousands of square feet cut.

FWIW.

lohlmohd · 08-11-2009, 02:59 PM

I certainly appreciate all of the solid information that was sent regarding a tile saw recommendation. Good stuff, it's comforting to know that there are professionals out there that are interested in helping others get on the right track.

I took the Ridgid back, not going there again. I now have to decide between a DeWalt and a Felker. Don't know much about the DeWalt, although our trailer is full of black and yellow.The Felker looks like it is between the FTS 150 and the Tilemaster XL, which the main difference seems to be motor. We don't do an exhorbitant amount of tile, maybe around 2,000 s.f. per year, just want to buy a quality machine and be done with it. My second priority is weight and portability.

Any thoughts about that you would like to share will be much appreciated. Thanks again for your help! Mike