When it’s time to remodel your bathroom, a wet tile saw will help you get the job done quickly. It performs basic cuts with a lot less effort than you could do by hand. And since SKIL sells a variety of wet tile saws, we’ll review four models today to help you choose the best one for your project.
SKIL 3540-01 Wet Tile Saw, 7″
Our first two picks from SKIL are identical except for the model number. But not every customer would know that. We’ll begin with the 3540-01 Wet Tile Saw that has a 7-inch diamond blade. This inexpensive saw offers basic features that suit most homeowner projects with regards to wall and floor tile.
For example, the stainless steel tabletop is large enough to hold 12-inch square tiles. And it has an adjustable fence to ensure precise cuts of smaller tiles, too. But that’s not all the SKIL 3450-01 can do. It also makes miter and bevel cuts at 45-degree angles. Those are essential for making sure your tiles fit flush in corners.
The 4.2Amp motor operates the diamond cutting blade at up to 3600rpm. And when you run it with water, it stays cooler and makes smooth cuts. The maximum depth of cut at 90-degrees is 1-3/8-inches, and the maximum at 45-degrees is 1 inch. And the saw comes with a miter gauge, too.
As for the water system, there is no water pump. Instead, there is a reservoir underneath the tabletop. And some owners have commented that it’s a little hard to fill unless you use a hose. But running the tile saw with water lengthens the lifetime of the blade, and it reduces the amount of dust you’ll have to manage.
More features of the Skil 3540-01 Wet Tile Saw:
- Covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty
- Comes with 7-inch diamond blade, blade guard, and blade wrenches
- 5/8-inch blade arbor
- Measures 13-1/4 by 14 inches
SKIL 3540-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw
Everything we said above about the SKIL 3540-01 applies to the 3540-02 wet tile saw as well. The only difference is the model number. So let’s look at a few other details about cutting tiles that might interest you.
When you cut ceramic tile or masonry, you’ll always need to manage debris. Since this saw does not have a dust extraction system and it uses water to help it cut, you’ll end up with slurry. Expert tile layers recommend never pouring this sludge down your drain. Instead, pour it into a disposable container and toss it out with the trash.
Next, when working with a power tile saw, don’t skimp on safety features. Wear protective gear like glasses and hearing protection. And install the blade guard, too. Finally, be aware that the floor may be slippery due to dust and water, so wear appropriate footwear.
As we return to the SKIL 3540-02, let’s mention how it differs from the 3550-02 reviewed below. First, it has a corrosion-resistant tabletop, but the 3550-02 has an aluminum surface. The steel is more resistant to dents and scratches while the aluminum is even less likely to rust, plus it weighs less.
Next, the 3550-02 has an improved water management system that we’ll get to in a minute. And it can support larger tiles. So let’s move on to the next part of our review and learn more about the 3550-02 saw from SKIL.
More features of the Skil 3540-02 Wet Tile Saw:
- Covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 1-year warranty
- Comes with 7-inch diamond blade, blade guard, and blade wrenches
- 5/8-inch blade arbor
- Measures 13-1/4 by 14 inches
SKIL 3550-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw with HydroLock Water Containment System
The SKIL 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw has a few improvements over the 3540-01 and 3540-02 saws. The first one we’ll discuss is the Hydrolock System. This feature does a better job of directing the water on the blade to reduce spray. It also provides both an upper and lower blade guard.
Next, the aluminum tabletop helps keep weight down, which is useful when this saw has additional features that add a few pounds to it. It also resists rusting even more so than the stainless table on the 3540-02. Plus, it has retractable extension wings on both sides that support tiles up to 18 inches in size. That’s an important benefit that makes the 3550-02 much more convenient to use, and handy for a wider variety of projects.
Along with the ability to cut larger tiles, you’ll find the saw has a more powerful 5Amp motor. Plus, there is an additional setting for bevel cuts, too. Instead of being limited to only vertical or 45-degree cuts, you can also bevel the blade to 22.5 degrees. And the adjustable rip fence still comes with a miter gauge, too.
If there’s any downside to the SKIL 3550 wet tile saw, it’s that it’s picky about the blade you use. You can stick to compatible SKIL blades, or use other 7-inch diamond blades with a continuous rim. And you may also find it challenging to deal with fence adjustments if you’re new to using tabletop saws.
More features of the Skil 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw:
- Covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year limited warranty
- Comes with 7-inch diamond blade and blade wrench
- Measures 15 by 17 by 21 inches and weighs 22 pounds
Skil 3540-01-RT 7-Inch 4.2 Amp Wet Tile Saw (Certified Refurbished)
Our final pick is here to save you money. Although the SKIL saws we reviewed are relatively inexpensive compared to the value they offer, you might be intimidated by the price anyway. That’s especially true if you only have one project planned where you need to cut tile.
The solution to the dilemma is to purchase a certified refurbished wet tile saw. SKIL makes certain promises regarding their reconditioned tools. One is that you’ll see a thirty to fifty-percent discount compared to the retail price of a new model. Then you’ll have 120 days to try it out. If you’re not satisfied, they offer a money-back guarantee.
So what is the difference between a new tile saw and a refurbished one? SKIL explains that the reconditioned models might have cosmetic blemishes like scratches. But none of the marks will affect the performance of the saw. And many of the tools that are resold like this are ones that were returned and were not necessarily defective in the first place.
Finally, the last advantage to buying a reconditioned wet tile saw is that technicians have tested it according to strict standards and it’s guaranteed to work. If you’re hesitant to invest in a power saw, just remember you have three months to test it yourself. And a SKIL wet tile saw is much faster to use than cutting tiles by hand.
More features of the Skil 3540-01-RT Wet Tile Saw:
- Covered by 120-day money-back guarantee
- Comes with blade, blade guard, and blade wrenches just like a new model
- Weighs 18 pounds and measures 12-1/4 by 14 inches
Recommendation
Out of four SKIL wet tile saws, we’ve eliminated one to help you narrow your choices. With regards to the 3540-01 and the 3540-02, you’ll get the same saw. But as a result of the different model numbers, you might find one sold for a lower price.
And there are some benefits to owning the 3540 wet tile saw. For one, it can cut tiles up to 12 inches in size, and it also makes bevel cuts at 45 degrees. Those two facts alone will speed up any tile installation project you have planned.
If you’re hesitating to take the plunge and buy a tile saw, take a look at the 3540-01-RT reconditioned model. It will save you at least 30% compared to retail price, and it comes with a 120-day money-back guarantee.
But if you need to cut larger tiles up to 18 inches in size, consider getting the SKIL 3550 wet tile saw instead. It comes with retractable extension wings on both sides of the blade. Next, it offers bevel cuts at both 22.5 and 45 degrees. And it has an improved blade guard system that greatly reduces the amount of spray and dust.