Tile Saw recommendations

[HemiMan2500HD]

Ok I have been doing a lot of tile jobs with my smaller saw and they have come out great. Now it it time to step up with the big boys. I have a few jobs coming up where I have large 18 x 18 tiles and one with 24" tiles. I do tiles of all sizes and in all directions. I also will be doing one shortly that will require some circular cuts. I do not do tile every day. I might use it for 2 weeks straight and then not for another 2 months.

I want something that will last and that can handle small tile as well as very large. I know felker is good but what about qep and mk. Also I am looking for current reviews on the Gemini revolution. Looks pretty interesting

[EEEO]

I haven't used one, but I haven't heard great things about the Gemeni Revolution. I think it might work well for the occasional curvy work, but I wouldn't own one as a primary saw. I've owned Target, Felker, and MK, I prefer the T's and F's over the MK. For the amount of tile work you are doing, you may consider the DeWalt. I think I'm going to buy one to replace my heavy MK. I do a fair amount of tile work, but it's no where near the production level of most of the guys around here, so I think the DeWalt will handle my needs quite well as it's capable of doing larger format tile up to 24", has slick plunge cutting abilities, and also has a rotating head for mitered cuts(that and it's really light comparatively). That said, I don't think it would hold up to heavy production work like a Target or Felker.

[HemiMan2500HD]

Wow..I have always overlooked that saw I guess because I never thought of DeWalt as a tile saw brand. What I really like is the depth of cut. I also do a lot of pavers and that will come in very handy. I have a large paver project to do outdoors over the winter so that might be a Xmas present to myself

[HemiMan2500HD]

One of my main concerns is weight. I would love to get a tilemaster xl but I won't be carrying that thing by myself. I often work by myself so this is a major concern

[duneslider]

I have the Dewalt and the company I work for has a year old Felker XL. The felker is heavy but has a great motor. It cuts a hair faster than the Dewalt but my custs are just as accurate, my saw does better at containing the water. Has no trouble with large tile. If you are doing production work the Felker would be better. My saw doesn't even come out of the truck some days so it is great for me. I am sure some day I will have a Felker XL too, but for now I am happy.

Bryan

[HemiMan2500HD]

does the tilemaster xl have a plunge cut feature. Also how would the dewalt cut 1 1/4 travertine pavers

[duneslider]

Felker has not plunge cut feature. I hear some of the Targets have a plunge cut feature.

I haven't cut 1 1/4 travertine pavers but I have cut regular pavers just fine. I would imagine it would cut the trave just fine. I have stacked up slate and trave two high before and cut it no problem. If you are planning to do a lot of pavers the Felker would be better but if you are just planning on a job now and then the dewalt should be fine.

Bryan

[Hamilton]

Hey whats up Joseph... lookin at saws eh? We go round and round on this
site about saws. In fact if you use our convenient search engine to look
up the topic you will find a plethora of threads pertaining to this particular
question. Most of us tile lifers prefer the Felkers and Targets while others
are true MK diehards. The Dewalt saw is a great saw as well but word has
it that the motor is not as tough as the baldors used on mks and felkers.
Ive yet to use a dewalt so i cant speak from personal knowledge on that topic.
Keep reading youll figure it all out

[HemiMan2500HD]

I did use the search quite a bit and in doing so I revived an old thread bout the dewalt.

I think it is the weight that is going to sell me. I really dont want to lug a 133 pound saw by myself

[tileguytodd]

The word ive gotten on the Dewalt saws is that those who are buying it are treating it as a semi disposable unit.
Buy it, run it hard for 6 months and sell it on ebay for whatever you can get and buy another new one.

They like the weight and the large format capabilities and are willing to basically spend 70-80.00 or so a month on a saw month in and month out (this is assuming you pay 800.00 run for 6 months and sell it for 300.00-350.00 on ebay)
This will go on for awhile until people figure out they are buying hard run worn out equipment that is difficult and expensive to get fixed.

The saw has some very good points.............But, I expect its newness and advantages of weight may see an end to the limelight before to much longer.

In the words of Clint Eastwood...........

You aint going to believe what happens next, Even while its happening

[1Eric]

My tilemaster xl has the plunge feature. I also bought the rolling stand to go with it. I work by myself and the saw is really easy to move around. I use a target day to day though.

[SteveG91]

I've got a DeWalt. I really like it. Plunge cuts, miter cuts, extremely smooth/accurate/adjustable table action, excellent water containment, not too heavy, many great features.
I am one of the guys that doesn't use it day in and day out. I like it very much.