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 tool 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 features a base to hold the tile and a scoring knife to cut the tile thoroughly. The tile is carefully snapped after being scored.

Tile cutters are considered ideal for beginners due to their ease of use, battery-free operation, portability, and superior straight-cutting capabilities. 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.

PROS OF TILE CUTTER

• Tile cutters are highly portable so that they can be set up easily when compared to wet cutters.
• Tile cutters are highly affordable, unlike wet cutters.
• Tile cutters are perfectly suitable for cutting simple and straight cuts on soft materials like ceramics. 
• Tile cutters can be installed indoors as they are less messy.

CONS OF TILE CUTTER

• Tile cutters can only produce straight cuts.
• Tile cutters are not suitable for cutting hard materials or tiles like porcelain or natural stone.
• When compared to wet saws, tile cutters can generate less precise cuts 

Wet Saw

The wet saw is comparable to a step up from the tile cutter in that it is an electric power tool. 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.

With most wet saws, you can adjust the angle of the blade to make a miter cut. Accordingly, you should also be able to cut curves into tiles with a wet saw if you are competent enough.

However, using a wet saw has several drawbacks, the primary one being that it requires a high level of skill. The only way it will feel natural to you is if you have done it before. These saws also make a lot of mess since they spin fast and splatter water all over the blade. Wet saws are best utilized outside because of the water and tile dust they produce.

PROS OF WET SAW

• Wet saws are perfectly suitable for cutting a wide variety of hard materials like ceramics, glass etc. when compared to tile cutters.
• Wet saws can easily make complex and intricate cuts, including curves and angled cuts.
• When compared to tile cutters, wet saws can generate more accurate and clean cuts.
• Wet saws are perfectly suitable for large and complex projects.

CONS OF WET SAW

• A wet saw is more expensive than a tile cutter. 
• Wet saws are perfectly suitable for working outdoors as they generate dust and water, which becomes very messy.
• Wet saws are not portable like tile cutters.
• Wet cutters require more expertise and skills to operate.

Tile Cutter Vs Wet Saw: The Differences

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Cost

You should be prepared 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.

7. 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.”

On the other hand, 

“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.

CONCLUSION

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.