Can You Cut Tile With Miter Saw. Cut tile miter saw
Can You Cut Tile With Miter Saw
As a DIY home remodeler, you have to be creative about saving money everywhere you can and getting the most out of your tools. You don’t want to ruin your tools or put yourself at risk, but if you can keep from having to buy another tool, that is the way to go. Check Top rated tile saw list. Are you looking for the best miter saw? check out the list of best miter saw for finish carpentry on laser Judge.
Cutting Tile
Most people use a Wet tile saw with a water supply. This water cools the blade and washes the tile dust away. The flow of water is excellent at capturing the fine particulate and keeps it from ending up in the air where it becomes a cancerous breathing hazard.
These saws use a diamond saw that is specifically designed to cut tile while being cooled by a flow of water.
Even with these extremely expensive tile saws, it is common to feed the tile too quickly, overload the saw, burn out the bearings and break the saw. Homeowners who are doing their first tile installation often burn out their first tile saw.
Adding A Diamond Blade To A Miter Saw
Something to consider is adding a diamond blade to your miter saw. They make 10-inch and 12-inch diamond blades that are designed to cut tile. The important thing when shopping for one of these blades it to buy a turbo rim blade or segmented rim blade. The Continuous rim blades are designed to cool via the flow of water that a tile saw has. A turbo rim blade or segmented rim blade has gaps intended to help dissipate the heat to the surrounding air. In terms of power and quality of cut, the Chicago’s performance is good to that of other models I’ve used. Overall, the Chicago Electric miter saw feels a little less beefy than expensive saws, So, you will be comfortable to use Chicago electric miter saw.
Concerns
One of the concerns is what would happen if the blade shattered. It doesn’t seem like there is much anecdotal evidence of that happening, but it is something of which to be aware. While it might not matter if you are cutting a few pieces of tile, it might not be something you want to do all day long.
Dust is the other major concern. You need to wear additional face protection when cutting tile with your miter saw, and a good filter mask to keep from breathing the dust is highly recommended.
However, that dust can also be a threat to your saw. Those fine particles are just the right size to get into the motor windings and cause all manner of havoc. It would probably take months of use in this manner to cause lasting damage, but it does seem feasible that you could burn out a saw in a matter of months if it were worked regularly in this type of dust.
Chop saws are much like miter saws, except that they are usually used to cut metal or brick. Chop saws have a more enclosed housing, primarily to protect the motor from the flying dust and metal shards.
The last concern is that the saw comes down on the tile in a pinching motion. Tile saws, on the other hand, allow you to feed the blade in horizontally, and provide a highly accurate cut. You may be sacrificing some accuracy if you try to cut tile with a miter saw. (Zachary Drumm of ToolTally.com has suggested that if you have a sliding compound miter saw, this “pinching” might be mitigated somewhat.)
Alternatives
We’ve established that you can use a miter saw to cut tile. There are construction workers who say they have also cut brick and paver stones with it.
If you are concerned about harming your saw, you might look into buying a used tile saw. These are available on Craigslist and eBay and are surprisingly affordable. If you do pick up a used one, spend some time flushing the pump with clear water and replace the blade. From there, you should be pretty good to begin your project.
Chop saws might be another option but aren’t likely to be cheaper than buying a used tile saw.
And, of course, you can pick up a diamond circular saw blade, and cut the tile with your miter saw.
Designing Your Own Minimalist Garden
- Apartment Living
- Architect Design
- BathRoom Designs
- Bedroom Designs
- Christmas Decoration
- Creative
- Dining Room Designs
- DIY designs
- DIY Home Decor
- Entry Doors Designs
- Exterior Designs
- Fashion
- Finance
- Flooring Ideas Design
- Garage and Shed Designs
- Halloween Decorations
- Health and Fitness
- Home and Garden
- Home Decor Tips
- Home Improvement
- Home Office Designs
- Hotels Restaurant Design
- Inspirational Home Decor
- Kids Room Designs
- Kitchen Designs
- Kitchen Recipes
- Lifestyle
- Living Room Designs
- Luxury Homes Interior Design
- Nature
- Office Decor Ideas
- Outdoor Designs
- Residential Life
- Staircase Designs
- Storage Closets Designs
- Swimming Pool Design
- Technology
- Travel
- Utility Room Ideas
- Wall Decals Designs
- Wedding Decoration
Can You Miter Cut Ceramic Tile?
A miter cut is a type of cut that’s made at an angle, usually 45 degrees. When it comes to ceramic tile, a miter cut can be used to create clean, sharp edges along the tile’s surface. While a miter saw is the best tool for making this type of cut, a handheld tile cutter can also be used.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
- Measure and mark the tile where you will make the miter cut
- Use a wet saw to make the cut, following the line you marked on the tile
- Smooth any rough edges on the tile with a file or sandpaper
Can I Use a Miter Saw to Cut Ceramic Tile?
If you’re looking to do a quick project and need to cut ceramic tile, then a miter saw is a great option. You can use a wet saw with a blade designed for cutting tile or a standard miter saw. Just be sure to use plenty of water to keep the blade cool and prevent chipping.

Here are step-by-step instructions for using a miter saw to cut ceramic tile:
Mark your tiles. Use a pencil or other sharp object to mark where you need to make your cuts. It’s important to be as precise as possible so that your cuts are clean and straight.
Set up your miter saw. Make sure the blade is properly secured and positioned at the correct angle before turning on the power.
Cut slowly and steadily. Apply even pressure as you guide the blade through the tile. Don’t try to force it through too quickly or you risk breaking the tile or damaging the blade.
Clean up any debris afterward. Use a brush or vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or particles created by cutting the tile.
How Do You Cut Mitered Edges on Tile?
Mitered edges on tile can give your tile installation a professional, finished look. But if not done correctly, mitered edges can be weak and susceptible to chipping. Here are some tips on how to cut mitered edges on tile:
First, you’ll need to mark the tile where you want the miter cut. Use a pencil or other sharp object to score a line across the tile. You can use a ruler or straightedge to help make sure your line is straight.
Next, set up your wet saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the blade is properly installed and that the water reservoir is full. Put on eye protection and gloves before starting the saw.
Now it’s time to make the cut. Guide the tile slowly into the blade, following your marked line. Keep your hands away from the blade as it cuts through the tile.
Once you’ve made it all the way through, turn off the saw and let it cool down before removing your piece of tile. If done correctly, mitered edges on tile can give your project a polished look. Be careful when cutting through – improper technique can lead to weak joints or chipped tiles!
How Do You Miter Porcelain Tile Without Chipping?
When cutting porcelain tile, it’s important to use a diamond blade wet saw. A regular blade will chip the tile. Also, be sure to score the tile before making your cut.
This will help prevent any chipping as well.
Can You Cut Porcelain Tile at 45 Degree Angle?
When it comes to cutting porcelain tile, you can definitely cut it at a 45-degree angle. In fact, this is actually one of the most popular ways to cut porcelain tile. Some people even prefer to cut it at a 45-degree angle because it gives the tile a more finished look.
Plus, cutting porcelain tile at a 45-degree angle is actually quite easy to do. All you need is a wet saw and a few simple tools.
How to MITER CUT tile like a PRO.
Hi, I’m john, I, ve spent my time helping people to successfully do their DIY projects.I’m a professional saw expert for over 10 years. I’m working with every type of saw and always try to find out which is best for my project. See more
How to Use a Wet Tile Saw
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.
Deane Biermeier is an expert contractor with nearly 30 years of experience in all types of home repair, maintenance, and remodeling. He is a certified lead carpenter and also holds a certification from the EPA. Deane is a member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
A wet tile saw resembles a small stationary table saw, miter saw, or radial arm saw, but it makes use of water to help keep a special diamond-encrusted blade cool during the cutting action. It is an excellent tool for safely and efficiently cutting ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as stone tile. A wet tile saw creates smooth, uniform cuts, especially when compared to a snap tile cutter’s often unpredictable edges.
When used safely, wet tile saws can help you produce many cleanly cut tiles to your exact specifications in very little time. In addition to straight cuts, a wet saw makes it possible to easily cut bevels, small shapes, and odd angles.
What Is a Wet Tile Saw?
A wet tile saw is a small stationary power saw used to cut ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile. Similar in function to a small table saw or radial arm saw, wet tile saws use a stream of water to keep a diamond-encrusted cutting blade cool as it cuts through hard materials. This tool greatly speeds and simplifies a tile installation project.
Wet Tile Saw Variations
Most of the consumer-level wet tile saws look and operate much like small table saws, with a blade the extends up through a slot in the table. The tile slides over the table and across the blade during cutting. Most saws have an adjustable guide fence, as well as a miter gauge that allows you to cut tiles at an angle. Most DIYers purchased this kind of saw, usually at a cost ranging from 75 to 200.
expensive contractor-level wet saws look more like power miter saws. They have an overhead-mounted motor and blade. With this design, the tile lays on a table that slides forward on rails as you feed the tile across the blade. With this style, the entire blade and motor can be pivoted to create bevel cuts, and the table can be rotated to cut tiles at angles. Other more expensive designs operate like radial arm saws, with the tile remaining stationary while the motor and blade slide on rails overhead to cut the tile from the top.
While an upper-end wet saw can be useful if you are cutting very large tiles, they cost many hundreds of dollars, making them impractical for most do-it-yourselfers to own.
Wet Tile Saw vs. Snap Tile Cutter
A great many novice DIYers perform their first tile installation job using a manual snap cutter. A snap cutter operates like a glass cutter. It has a carbide cutting wheel attached to a lever. The wheel is drawn across the tile to score the face, then a built-in snapper is used to press down across the scored line to snap the tile on the score.
There is nothing at all wrong with a snap cutter, especially for small jobs. But it is not very effective for making angled cuts or for cutting small tiles. The cuts are typically a bit rough, which may require some hand sanding to smooth them. And for big jobs that require cutting many tiles, it can become very wearisome to use a snap cutter.
Once a DIYer learns how to use a wet tile saw, they rarely go back to the snap cutter.
- Works for all types of stone, ceramic, and porcelain tiles
- expensive—but also more versatile tool
- Messy to use
- Requires electrical connection
- Cuts tiles very easily
- Useful for making angled cuts
- Cuts large and small tiles equally well
- Not suitable for cutting stone or most porcelain tiles
- Not suitable for cutting thick floor tiles
- Inexpensive tool
- Requires more manual effort
- Angled cuts are difficult
- Doesn’t work well for small tiles
Parts of a Wet Tile Saw
The parts of a wet tile saw can differ a bit, depending on the manufacturer’s design, but most of the basic DIY-level wet saws resemble small table saws. A motor drives a spindle or belt that spins a diamond-encrusted saw blade that protrudes up through a slotted table. Tiles are pushed across the blade to cut them.
All wet saws have a jet that sprays water over the blade during cutting to cool and lubricate the blade and also to remove dust. Most saws draw their water from a reservoir built into the saw table, but others are designed to attach to a hose that provides a constant stream of water as old water drains away.

What Blade to Use
All wet tile saws use diamond-encrusted circular blades to do the cutting, but there are various sizes and styles available. Sizes range from 4- to 10-inches in diameter. Some styles have slots or holes cut into the body of the blade to help with heat dissipation. Extra-thin blades are designed to make easy work of cutting thick stone or porcelain tiles, and there are others with extra-fine diamond grit for cutting glass.
But for general use on standard ceramic wall or floor tiles, any standard continuous rim diamond blade will do the job. Choose a blade size appropriate for your saw’s design. Most consumer-level saws use 7-inch blades.
Safety Considerations
Use a wet tile saw with caution. Water, electricity, and a rapidly spinning diamond-encrusted blade combine to make this an experience that requires all of your attention. Even in the best of circumstances, cutting with a wet saw is a messy operation that will spray water over the work area. If possible, work outside or in a garage where water spray won’t be a problem. If you must work indoors, cover the floor and nearby surfaces with plastic to protect from overspray.
Choose a work area that has access to a GFCI outlet, and make sure there is a sturdy, stable work surface to support the saw. A good portable workbench or picnic table can serve this purpose; many people prefer to simply rest the wet saw on the ground or on a concrete slab. If you are using a saw that requires a constant water feed, you will also need access to a hose spigot.
Read the manufacturer’s safety instructions prior to using the tool. Power tools that operate around water should always be plugged into GFCI-protected outlets, and make sure to wear eye protectors and hearing protectors while operating the saw.
How to Use a Wet Tile Saw
Prepare the Work Area
Choose an area that is well lit and free of obstructions as your work area for cutting. Make sure there is access to an outlet. If necessary, cover the floor and other surfaces in the work area with sheets of plastic to protect against water. Establish a firm, steady work surface to support the wet tile saw, then set the saw in place.
Prepare the Saw
Fill the saw’s water reservoir with water, making sure it is at a level that covers the recirculating pump. Plug the saw into a GFCI-protected outlet. If you don’t have close access to a protected outlet, you can use a GFCI extension cord. Anytime you are mixing water and electricity, GFCI protection is essential. Make sure there is a drip loop in the electrical cord leading from the saw to the outlet. The drip loop should be lower than both the saw and the outlet, so that water cannot drip down the cord and into the outlet.
Tip
If you are using a freshwater feed, you will need to establish a hose connection from a spigot to the saw. Place a bucket under the drain outlet, or run another hose to a convenient drain point.
Prepare to Cut
Use a grease pencil or fine indelible marker to draw a cutting line on the tile. Adjust the guide fence on the saw to the width of the cut you want to make. If cutting at an angle, adjust the saw’s miter gauge to the desired angle. Place the tile on the bed of the saw, flush against the fence or miter gauge, and check the position of the blade against the marked line on the tile. Pull the tile back to a point well in front of the blade.
Cut the Tile
Put on eye protection and hearing protectors, then turn on the saw and wait for the blade to come up to full speed. Watch to make sure that water is hitting the blade but is not splashing about too wildly. If necessary, make an adjustment to the water stream as indicated by the saw manufacturer’s instructions. Slowly and steadily push the tile through the spinning blade, holding it on both sides with your hands well away from the blade. Rather than forcing the tile through the blade, allow it to feed gradually; you should not hear the saw motor labor and slow down too much as you cut. A slower feed speed will be needed if you are cutting particularly hard tiles, such a porcelain or stone floor tiles. As the blade approaches the back end of the tile, slow down your feed speed; this is where most breakage occurs. As the tile clears the blade, turn off the saw and wait for the blade to fully stop before removing the tile from the bed of the saw. Many saws have an automatic brake that stops the blade quickly.
Warning
When trimming small amounts of material near a tile‘s edge, use a small block of scrap wood or a push block to push the tile through the saw. This will keep your fingers at a safe distance from the saw blade.
Rage 3 mitre saw cutting masonry
Refresh the Water as Needed
The water reservoir will become laden with sediments after you have made repeated cuts. If the water becomes too muddy or is obviously clogged with particles, stop work to remove and rinse out the reservoir, then refill it with fresh water and continue cutting.
Buying vs. Renting
Most consumer-level wet tile saws are relatively affordable tools that pay for themselves after just two or three moderate-sized projects. It’s well worth owning such a saw, which can be purchased for around 100. Diamond blades generally cost 10 to 40, depending on size and design.
expensive contractor-level wet tile saws can be rented by the day or the week at tool rental outlets and home centers. Rental costs are typically about 50 per day or 200 per week for a medium-sized saw with a 7-inch blade. Expect to pay upwards of 300 per week for larger 10-inch saws.
Tile breaking at the end of the cut? Tile saw cutting crooked? Do this!
At some rental outlets, you may pay an additional surcharge for wear on the diamond blade of the saw.
Keeping a Wet Tile Saw in Good Condition
Wet tile saws require diligent cleaning in order to stay in good operating condition. The fine clay and stone particles produced by the saw can easily solidify around moving parts and cause the saw to malfunction. Most commonly, the sliding table stops moving smoothly.
The tool’s instruction manual will give details on how to clean, but you should expect to spend at least 30 minutes cleaning your tool after each use. This process usually involves a thorough spraying or sponge cleaning of all parts, followed by careful towel drying. Many experienced users like to spray the slides and other moving parts with a lithium spray lubricant after cleaning. This will displace any remaining moisture and prevent corrosion.
When to Replace a Wet Tile Saw
A wet tile saw should last for decades if you use it and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The most common mistake is to push tiles through the saw with too much speed and force, which will quickly wear out blades as well as put stress on the tool’s motor. It will become clear when your saw has seen the end of its life; the motor will simply burn out and stop working. Until then, replacing the blade whenever it becomes dull should keep your wet saw performing like new.
Tile Cutter Vs Wet Saw: Which Is Better
The type of material your floor should be made of is one of the decisions you’ll need to make if you’re a DIY enthusiast who plans to install your tiles. Tile is one of the most well-liked, long-lasting, and attractive building materials.
You will need to be able to cut them down to size in advance if you intend to tile your flooring. You can achieve this using two tools: wet saws and tile cutters. What precisely are they, and how are they different from one another? Let’s know-

Tile Cutter
As the name implies, a tile cutter is a reasonably affordable cutting tools used to cut tiles. These devices are entirely manual and don’t use any energy at all. In a two-step procedure, the tile is first scored before being manually snapped by tile cutters. The tile cutter has a base on which the tile is placed and a particular scoring knife for making deep cuts in the tile. The tile is scored before being manually snapped.
Because they are so simple to use, relatively portable, battery-free, and excellent for producing straight cuts, tile cutters are said to be perfect for novices. You should be aware that modest projects and soft tiles are the best uses for tile cutters. Tough tiles, like outdoor porcelain tiles or glass tiles, won’t be able to be handled by tile cutters.
Wet Saw
The wet saw is comparable to a step up from the tile cutter by being an electric power tools. The wet saw has diamond blades linked with a water hose that sprays water on it to minimize friction, and it typically has a shape similar to a smaller version of a circular saw.
Wet saws are perfect for all types of tiles, including glass tiles and those with high PEI ratings, as they can reduce friction during cutting and the fact that they feature a very fast-spinning blade that can pierce even the hardest of materials. A wet saw should be able to handle it if a tile cutter can’t.
Wet saws typically allow you to change the blade’s angle to honestly do a miter cut. In keeping with that, if you have enough competence, you should also be able to use a wet saw to cut curves into tiles.
However, there are several disadvantages to utilizing a wet saw, the main one being that it necessitates a great deal of expertise. It will only come naturally to you if you have done something before. Additionally, these saws create quite a mess because they spin quickly and spray water all over the blade. Wet saws are best utilized outside because of the water and tile dust they produce.
Tile Cutter Vs Wet Saw: The Differences
Required Power
These two tools are fundamentally different in that one requires power while the other does not. Yes, in some circumstances, especially when you don’t want to deal with extension cords, this does make the tile cutter more practical. Nevertheless, the wet saw is a lot faster and more effective tool simply because it is a power tool.
Task Size
You should note that a tile cutter is a manual tool. Thus, it takes some time to score and snap many tiles. A wet saw works considerably more quickly and lets you rush. The tile cutter may be perfect for trim work, but it will take more time for large flooring jobs. It would help if you used a wet saw for giant jobs.
Kind Of Tiles
The main distinction between these two pieces of equipment may be that manual tile cutters are best suited for soft tiles only. The scoring knife on tile cutters can only cut through materials with a specified density and go so deep. A tile cutter can only score and snap a tile if it is challenging, has a PEI rating that is far too high, or is made of glass. You will need a wet saw for glass tiles and tough tiles.
Usability Issues
It is undeniably true that tile cutters are more straightforward to operate than either of these tools in terms of ease of use. The scoring and snapping procedures may require a few tries for you to perfect, but aside from that, there is little else to learn.
On the other hand, a wet saw automatically entails some hazards and difficulties because it is a risky power tool. Professional skill is necessary if you use a wet saw to make exact and complicated cuts.
Different Cuts
It can make minor, straight cuts with the tile cutter. I’m done now. On the other hand, you can use a wet saw to cut intricate patterns and shapes and straight, curved, and miter cuts.
Cost
You should prepare to pay much over 500, if not thousands of dollars, on wet saws because they are high-quality power tools that feature diamond blades and water spray systems. This is especially true for high-quality models. On the other hand, a high-quality tile snapper will set you back up to a few hundred dollars at most.
Mess
Given how much water and dust are sprayed everywhere, you should only use a wet saw outside. However, you can use a tile cutter indoors without creating a significant mess.
Tile Cutter Vs. Wet Saw: What to Choose?
“A tile cutter is a perfect floor-tiling tool if you are looking for a portable, simple-to-use device that doesn’t need energy and is ideal for snapping soft tiles in straight lines.”
“Choose a wet saw cutter if you are working on substantial flooring projects, need to cut hard and glass tiles, make straight, curved, and miter cuts, and require a gear that can work quickly.“
Remember that using a wet saw effectively requires a lot of experience.
Now that you know the critical distinctions between tile cutters and wet saws, you are better equipped to choose the right tool for your upcoming floor-tiling project.