There are many factors to consider when you are looking to buy or rent a tile saw, and one of the most important is size. “Size”, in this case, can refer to a couple of different measurements that you may want to take into account before choosing one model tile saw over another. In this article, we’d like to offer some guidance on figuring out what size tile saw you need, or whether you may actually need a masonry saw instead.
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What size tile saw do I need regarding blade diameter?
Blade diameter is usually what we are referring to when we talk about the size of a tile saw or masonry saw. It is a very important measurement to look at, because it will determine your maximum cutting depth; in other words, the thickness of the tiles that the saw can cut through.
Standard tile saw sizes will run in the range of 7-10 inches blade diameter. An 7-inch diamond blade on a tile saw typically has a maximum cutting depth of around 2 inches, while a 10-inch blade can increase that by about half an inch to 2.4-2.6 inches. Keep in mind that, in some cases, tile saws can accommodate smaller blades than the size advertised. Always double check with the manufacturer or your owner’s manual, but tile saws labeled “for blades up to x inches” will often fit a range of blade diameters.
Whether a cutting depth of 2.5 inches is sufficient for you depends on what materials you plan on cutting. A 10-inch blade on a tile saw can easily handle most standard floor and wall tiles, and even some thicker items such as stone pavers.
However, when wondering what size tile cutter do you need and if you know that you will need to cut something thicker than 2.5 inches, then you should consider buying or renting a masonry saw instead of a tile saw. They do essentially the same thing, but are designed for larger cutting jobs, like bricks or slabs of granite. Small masonry saws can have a blade diameter of approximately 14-16 inches (350-400 mm), which translates to a maximum cutting depth of about 4-5 inches.
What size tile cutter do I need regarding cutting length?
Another measurement that may sway your decision is cutting length, which would be the distance that the tile saw can cut in a single pass. This is limited by the structure of the machine, but for most people, it won’t be a problem. SIMA’s 8-inch tile saw and 10-inch tile saw, for example, are both able to cut tiles measuring up to 1000 mm long, roughly 39 inches. The vast majority of tiles fit comfortably within this range.
As for masonry saws, while they are able to cut deeper than tile saws, they sometimes are not able to cut as far in a single pass. But just like with tile saws, even these reduced maximum cutting lengths will generally be suitable for most users. For instance, SIMA’s 14-inch masonry saw and 16-inch masonry saw have max. cutting lengths of 640 mm, or just over 25 inches long.
So, what size tile saw do you need? Unless your DIY project has very unusual requirements, a tile saw that fits a blade up to 10 inches in diameter is generally a good choice. For deeper cuts, a masonry saw is a handy alternative.
7-inch vs 10-inch tile saws
If you are wondering about the difference between a 7-inch and 10-inch tile saws in the practice, the answer really depends on the purpose that you have in mind.
If you just need to rent a tile cutter in order to cut tiles for a DIY bathroom remodeling, probably a 7-inch tile saw is all you need for the job.
But if you are a contractor and are looking to buy a tile saw that fits to cuttering tiles that may be deeper than usual tiles of less than one inch depth, buying a 10-inch tile saw is probably your best bet in order to have the versatility that a deeper tile saw offers.
Whatever your needs are, do not hesitate to ask our support team before you decide so that we can advise you about what size tile saw fits better to your case.
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