A table saw is a power-cutting tool that can cut through hardwood materials. People use this tool widely as it is handy and requires little effort, but can you use a table saw to cut tile? Though you can, we don’t recommend anyone use a table saw to cut tile. In this article, we will explain the problems of using a table saw to cut tile and, if you have no options except a table saw, how to use it most effectively.
Reasons that You Shouldn’t Use a Table Saw to Cut Tile
It is necessary to remember that different saws are suitable for various projects. The saw you use for cutting wood might not be ideal for cutting tiles or stones and cutting tiles for your bathroom or kitchen because they have some weird angles. You can only lay the tiles and fix them in the right place sometimes as you want. You will have to set different pieces of stone for both bathroom and kitchen to create a traditional look. Whatever cutting tool you choose to cut tile must ensure everything looks perfect in a particular setting.
You can use a regular table saw for many purposes, but if you discover its features, you will understand that there are better tools for cutting tiles. Tiles are harder than many other tools. So, you must ensure that the tool you use, applying the correct pressure, doesn’t crack or break anything. Check out some other significant reasons you shouldn’t cut tile with a table saw.
The Produced Dust Damages the Table Saw
Ceramic tiles produce considerable dust while cutting in a dry environment. This dust will get into your other working belongings alongside the table saw and make something clogged if it accumulates with any moisture. The created paste of moisture and dust will block the workings. So, avoid using a table saw for cutting tiles if you want to keep the tool usable for so many years.
The Silica Dust Contained in Tiles Causes Serious Health Issues
The dust from the tiles while cutting causes serious health issues when inhaled. Tiles contain silica dust which affects the user, especially if he has lung disease, cancer, or COPD. Even if you don’t have any health condition, dust accumulation will not allow you to live a healthy life. So, be careful while using a table saw to cut tile, no matter the dust quantity. The accumulation of dust is more severe if it is inhaled in an enclosed area.
The Table Saw Causes Chips in the Tile
A table saw can’t give you the finest finish and smoother cuts of tiles because it creates wasted materials and a sub-par finish for a product. So, you should avoid using a table saw and choose other practical alternatives that provide more accessible tile-cutting experiences and a better product finish.
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How Can You Use a Table Saw to Cut Tile
Step 1: Choose the Right Blade
It would be best if you chose the right blade before starting the project. Whatever saw you use to cut tile, choosing the right size blade is the essential step. A perfect size wet diamond blade will be your go-to pick for cutting ceramic tiles in a dry environment.
Step 2: Install the Blade
Next, you have to install the chosen blade on your table saw appropriately.
Step 3: Use a Respirator
Now, you should ensure you use a respirator while cutting ceramic tiles. The respirator will help keep the dust created while cutting the tiles away from your lungs. It is essential to keep your lungs healthy while doing any task that produces dust and causes health hazards when inhaled.
Step 4: Start Up the Table Saw
In this step, you have to start up your table saw to cut the tile. Do not pressurize the tile into the blade. The blade can cut through the material independently.
Step 5: Turn off the Saw
Finish the task by turning off the saw. Please keep it in a secure place and away from children’s reach.
Tips: What is a Plunge Saw: Features, Usage & Reasons for Use
What are the Best Tools Used for Cutting Tile
Handheld Wet Tile Saw
A handheld wet tile saw is a newly used tool for cutting tile. This tool is portable, easy to use, and doesn’t need a power or water source to be connected. We can use the manual tile cutter for simple tasks. You need to adjust a tungsten carbide blade to cut through small stone tiles used in the kitchen or bathroom. This cutter is only suitable for some projects.
Tabletop Wet Saw
One of the most common devices for cutting tiles is a tabletop wet saw that uses a continuous diamond blade in a wet environment. It has added water that benefits by keeping the dust away from getting into the lungs. If you have many tiles to cut, there is no better option than a tabletop wet saw. There are different sizes available in this tool. You can rent this tool from a home improvement store at a very reasonable price.
A manual tile cutter
A manual tile cutter, like a hacksaw, is suitable for cutting porcelain tiles used in bathrooms. It would be best if you were careful about choosing a blade for a hacksaw. Traditional steel blades can’t cut through natural stone. If the tile or a stone piece is too thick, you can’t make accurate cuts even using tungsten carbonate teeth.
Nippers
These tools create irregular shapes of a project. You will need to use a sharpened knife to score a line into the tile to determine how you want your tile to look. Then, nip away the part of your tile you need to remove. The cuts you will get by using this tool might be challenging. You can smoothen the cut using sandpaper. Using nippers requires more time and effort, but it is an inexpensive and simple way to cut irregular-shaped tiles.
FAQs
What solution can I follow to keep the dust away while using a table saw?
Tiles are extremely hard materials that produce dust while cutting with a saw. Two types of tiles are ceramics and porcelain. You can use a table saw to permanently place the proper dust collection system.
What are the advantages of wet cutting blades?
You don’t need water when using a dry cutting blade for cutting tiles. This blade has a high dust management system, so the dust created while cutting tiles will not affect you much. The speedy cutting ability of this blade makes it suitable for low-space usage.
How can you ensure high accuracy while cutting a tile?
We have to maintain high accuracy while cutting tiles as they are brittle. It is challenging to preserve tiles because they can break at any time. So, you must cut the tile edges sharply and accurately. A table saw can cut through the tile by angling the table saw bed.
What are the advantages of wet cutting blades?
A wet cutting blade can smoothen the cutting surface. It also produces less dust while cutting a material. There is no risk of overheating or expansion while using a wet blade. Furthermore, you can speed up your cutting process to the maximum level if you use this blade.
Read: What is a Bow Saw Used for: A Learner’s Guide on How to Use
Overall
It is not good to use a tool that can fulfill one purpose but eventually leave many hazardous effects on both the projects and the users. Many people use table saws to cut tile, but they will be aware of not using this tool further after reading the consequences explained in this article. “Can you use a table saw to cut tile”- is probably not a debate anymore. If you have no options to cut tile other than a table saw, follow the processes of using it from this article too.
