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Inexpensive Tile Saws
This is part of a
multi-part series on selecting tile saws for cutting glass.
Click here to go to the beginning of the series.
If you plan to use a tile saw extensively to cut glass, then
it's best to purchase a more expensive saw that can withstand the
rigors of frequent use. On the other hand, if you plan to use
the saw occasionally to cut pattern bars or straight lines in
thicker pieces, then it's possible to get by with a less expensive
tile saw. If you decide to go this route, you should consider
the following:
1. Only purchase a tile saw that is designed to cut wet.
These will have a reservoir to hold water and to ensure that the
blade is continually bathed in water as it cuts. Avoid tile
saws that cut dry; they won't work on glass.
2. Inexpensive (around $100 US for non-name brands) tile
saws will have a 7" (178mm) blade. This should be capable of
cutting items up to 2" thick, but be aware that 2" (51mm) thick
items will be much more difficult to cut than 1" items, so if you
intend to cut a lot of 2" thick items you may want to consider a
more expensive saw that has a 10" blade.
3. Make certain that replacement blades can be easily
obtained for the saw you select. Some inexpensive tile saws
have blades with nonstandard arbor sizes (the arbor is the hole in
the middle of the blade). In the US, the standard arbor size
for small inexpensive tile saws is 5/8" (16mm).
Coming soon -- more on selecting inexpensive
tile saws.
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Copyright 2006 Brad Walker.
All rights reserved.
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