Tile Cutter vs Wet Saw: Which Is Best for Your Project?

Tile cutter vs wet saw? These are the two options you’ll face when you start learning how to tile. They are also the best tile cutting tools for tilers and landscapers alike. But which you should choose depends on the specific job at hand, the materials you’re cutting, and the space to work on. That’s why today, we’re bringing you our guide for choosing the best tool for your project. When it comes to the great tile cutter vs wet saw debate, we’re here to help. Let’s get started!

Let’s paint a picture. You’re replacing the tile kitchen counter. Or maybe it’s the tile bathroom floor. But your tiles just won’t line up. After a while battling with the tiles, you’re ready to call in the professionals. Good move, right?

Stop right there. Tile cutting doesn’t need to be difficult. Just because you’re an amateur tile setter doesn’t mean you should shy away from cutting some tile. It all comes down to choosing the right tool for the job.

TILE COMPOSITION

Tile comes in all different varieties. Ceramic tile, clay tile, and porcelain tile are the ones you’ll commonly see at the store. Though these three types only scratch the proverbial tile surface.

Ceramic tile is made from sand, water, and clay. The materials are moulded into a square and then baked in a kiln to remove moisture.

Porcelain tile is made from a denser type of clay than ceramic tile. Clay tiles are entirely clay. Ceramic, porcelain, and clay tiles are either glazed for inside use or unglazed for roofing. Tile types such as glass, cork, concrete, and stone are used for any number of other applications.

MEASURING YOUR FLOOR PLAN

Your “floor plan” refers to where you’re laying tile. Every project comes with unique spatial challenges. Sometimes you need more tile, sometimes less, and other times you need to cut tile.

Accurately measuring your floor plan is imperative for choosing the correct number of tiles for your project. Measure the entire floor plan’s boundaries, diagonal interiors, width, and height. Next, measure one square of sample tile. Use those numbers to calculate how many tiles you’ll need for your entire project.

Don’t forget to account for abnormal boundaries. Order extra tile to ensure you have plenty to cut when it comes time to assemble the puzzle pieces.

CUTTING TILE: TILE CUTTER VS WET SAW

Chances are almost certain you’re not working with perfectly straight boundaries that are a multiple of your tile size. Cutting tile is the only way to make most projects work.

Your two best tile cutting options are manual tile cutters or a wet saw. Tile cutters generally take less time, less skill, but are more convenient. Wet saws take more time, more skill, but are less convenient.

Each are readily available through RUBI stockists. Which you should choose is an entirely different story. Ready to learn the difference between a tile cutters vs wet saw? Let’s get started.

TILE CUTTERS

Everyone should have tile cutters in their toolbox. They’re fairly easy to set up, as long as they are on a flat base. Something like our 4 in one work table is best. Tiles get placed on the cutting bed, and scored along the length of tile you wish to cut. The tiles then break along the scored line.

Tile cutters by nature take less time to set up than a wet saw because they don’t require electricity or water. All there is to do is make sure the cutter is on a flat base, and that the set square is at the desired angle – many have a rotating square so you can cut at angles from 0 – 45 degrees.

Once it’s set up, you simply place the tile up against the end on the cutting base, score along the desired line, and use the breaker to break the tile. The key thing to remember is that some harder tiles don’t score well. Choosing the proper scoring wheel is a must. For example, scoring glass can be done with any scoring wheel, but the one we recommend is our 6mm RUBI Extreme.

There is a trick to scoring glass and that is to score very lightly because putting too much pressure on the tile when you score can cause it to crack or give it a jagged edge. As you can see, breaking tiles along the score isn’t always easy.  Sometimes the tile cutter won’t score deep enough. Other times the tile just doesn’t want to break. Expect to fight with more than a few tiles.

THE PROS

However, tile cutters have some serious benefits. They’re cheaper than wet saws, easily transportable, and operation doesn’t take intricate skill. (Though you do need skill to line up your tiles.)

Tile cutters work best for either smaller projects, projects with straight borders, or projects with soft tiles. Smaller projects mean fewer tiles to cut, tile cutters can’t cut wavy lines, and softer tiles snap better after scoring.

Our website lists several different tile cutters. We carry different sizes made to accommodate any type of project. We also sell the maintenance materials, like lubrication, to keep your cutter smoothly working.

WET SAWS 

Wet saws are best for large projects when your tile cutters aren’t cutting it (literally). Instead of relying on human power, wet saws use electricity. At first glance, a wet saw looks like a table saw. A rotating diamond blade cuts the tile while a guide keeps your tile straight.

Water sprays from around the cutting blade to ensure the tile doesn’t smoke and burn. Some tables come with a water reservoir while others can connect to a water source.

Wet saws cut tile extremely straight. The guide helps make perfect cuts so long as your hand doesn’t shake. With some skill, you can also cut tile into intricate shapes.

Wet saws can also cut harder tile materials. The diamond blade can cut the hardest varieties of tile and a wet saw is a must if you want to feel cutting glass tiles as if it was butter.

THE PROS

Compared to tile cutters, wet saws are best for large projects, and especially landscaping work. While the cut does take longer per tile, the finish will be cleaner, and with more precision than manual tile cutters. The only price to pay is the set up and preparation of the working area. Wet saws are recommended for large rooms or rooms with complicated floor plans, and outdoor work.

Skill and size are the wet saw’s main drawback. The units are typically large and take time to learn how to set them up properly. We must stress that you need to understand safety procedures before getting started. Please practice using a moving saw to cut straight lines and get familiar with the pressure and movement.

Buying a wet saw comes down to understanding what you need. Different saws come equipped for different jobs. Check out our wet saws to see the available options.

TILE CUTTER VS WET SAW, WHICH WILL YOU USE?

The guide above should serve as a good start in the tile cutter vs wet saw debate. Material, project size, and skill all factor into your choice. However, the best choice for your project isn’t always straightforward.

Sometimes money, time frame, tile type, and other things can all influence which tool to choose. If you’re short on time, do you really have the luxury of ordering an expensive wet saw that takes time to set up and learn?

That’s where we’d like to help. Our experts would love to hear all about your project and help you decide between a tile cutter and a wet saw. We’ll take the time to ensure you’re buying the right tool for the job.

If you’re planning on tiling often, it might make sense to buy a tile cutter and a wet saw. You’re likely to run across situations where you’ll need each tool. It’s always best to have the proper tool for the job.

So, if you’re ready to get started on your tiling project, get in touch with us. We can help you choose the best tool for your project. We guarantee you’ll leave satisfied.