Moreover, it’s the thing you’re going to need when you’re working with glass material or heavier tiles with the PEI rating. Using tile saw is not that hard of a deal if you’re not relying on beginner’s luck.
Other than that, you got the skill, get ready to shape the deal by learning how to use a wet tile saw like a pro.
The Basic Mechanism of Wet Tile Saw
To learn how to use a tile saw, you got to familiarize yourself with the structure first.
The saw is constructed in a table saw manner with a reservoir at the bottom of the table most of the time, and sometimes a connection joint for the purpose of attaching a hose. The saw works with a motor, usually, it comes attached to the bottom, but some can be mounted over the head of the saw as well.
Tile is a hard material and cutting through it is not an easy job, so the saw uses a diamond-coated saw blade. The blade can be swiveled or adjusted to attain various shapes. Some saw comes with a miter gauge to help you with achieving accurate angles or bevel cut.
The saw runs on electric power. Features a pump and jet that cooperate to supply water at the job, because water helps with smoothing out the cutting process by lubricating the blade teeth. Either the reservoir that comes with the saw, the submersible pump draws water from there, or a hose has to be attached from the spigot to the joint. The hose or the pump supplies the jet with water which gets sprayed over the tile. The water also washes away all the debris and dust in the process.
The tile holding slot can be of two different types. It can be a fence with a railing feature for smooth operation, or a sliding fence that has to be slided manually back and forth.
The choice is yours, the difference also depends on the budget. The expensive ones come more prepared to make your tile-shaping hustle a lot easier.
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Also Read: How to Choose a Manual Tile Cutter Perfectly?
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Planning Beforehand is Mandatory
We already mentioned above that a person has to be skilled to master the process of using a wet tile saw. It’s a saw that uses water for smooth cutting experience while running on power, can there be any deadlier combination?
Don’t freak out! Just giving you a necessary image so that you remain more aware while working. Also since we’re talking many shapes, there’s proper planning involved.
And let’s not forget the placement, you’ll be working with a wet tile saw, there’s gonna be water everywhere; also you will want to keep it stable while blade grazing through tough surface tries to shake everything around.
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Process for Using Wet Tile Saw
Step 1: Gather Everything
You have the tile saw of your budget. What about all the other stuff?
Along with the wet tile saw, you’ll need-
- Plastic Sheet: When you’re working with a wet tile saw, your surroundings are bound to get wet and messy. So, it’s better to cover the place with a plastic sheet before starting.
- Marker or Sharpie: Usually all the shape planning’s are done using a pencil; but since we’re talking tiles, marker or sharpie are the better options for clear marking.
- Water Supply: In case you’re using a saw with a reservoir, you just gotta fill it before work. Otherwise do make sure you’re working near a faucet or a spigot.
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Step 2: Prepare Yourself
Well, you’re not going to a battle, but is it any less of a war when you’re running a diamond-coated blade through a hard surface making debris fly everywhere and also water can come to contact with electricity?
Wear some plastic/rubber shoes while working. Gloves and safety goggles are two must-have things for protecting yourself from all the mess. Also, it’s better to work in an apron if not mandatory.
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Step 3: Set Everything Up
After preparing yourself, it’s time to set up the saw to get started with the job.
- Fill the reservoir with water and make sure the submersible pump is properly submersed into the water. In case you’re using a hose for water supply, get its two ends connected to the faucet/spigot and the joint in the saw.
- Now the power cord has to be plugged to an outlet nearby. In case the cord falls too short for the nearest outlet, use an extension to expand it.
Caution: We are dealing with water and electricity hand-in-hand. So when you’re plugging the cord make sure it’s not right below the jet or anywhere close to getting wet.
- Take the marker/sharpie and mark the place you want the run the blade through. In case you’re hoping for a bevel or angle cut, got to set it up with the miter gauge. Or adjust the blade a bit.
- After this, it’s time to place the tile properly. Put it over the sliding or railing fence. Place the marked spot right below the blade; adjust the blade or set up the miter gauge if necessary. Check whether it’s gonna work properly by moving the fence manually several times back and forth.
Jet linked with water supply, cord plugged, blade adjusted and tile placed; everything is all set and good to go.
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Step 4: Start Cutting
Turn the power on and let the blade run while the jet sprays water. Hold both of the edges of the fence by firmly pressing the thumbs against the surface. Make sure your hands are not very close to the running blade.
Now gently bring the fence close to the blade. When the blade hits the mark, let the teeth run their course through the surface and slowly bring the fence forth. Yes, let the blade do the proceeding, forcing the tile through it either will break it or create an unnecessary mess; and you want none of that.
Get the whole tile across through the blade, and voila, you have two split pieces to work on. Got to be extra gentle and careful while making bevels or cutting according to the miter gauge.
And this is how you use a wet tile saw.
If you still have any confusion or question, please go ahead and write it in the comment section below. I will be more than happy to help you with that.
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