Wet Tile Cutters and Dry Tile Cutters are both cutting tile. The main difference is how they handle the dust and remnants of the tile cast into the air or surrounding air which peels or splinters off of the original material. A wet tile cutter will use water to tamp down this excess remnant into a slurry which is kept in a bucket or something that can collect the “Water”. If you’ve been a contractor, you’ve seen for years people utilizing a slurry or slosh of water and chemicals to wet cut tile. The tile cutter would be posted up in a bathroom, or outside the property by the hose. Wherever he’s set up his spot to cut, he’d have buckets next to him, and thick galoshes to keep the slurry contained. This is the essence of wet cutting – it’s messy! It’s a pain.
When it comes to cutting tiles, using the right tile installation tools is important, specifically whether to use a wet tile cutter or a dry tile cutter. Wet tile cutters are best used for hard/thick/dense tiles and operate by scoring the tile with pressure and then snapping the tile across the score line. We offer a variety of products including tile cutters, large format tile tools, in-floor heating products, Schluter products, tile leveling systems, high-end tools, professional equipment for flooring and tile installers, and more.
Diamond tile cutting blades have two distinct designs, one for dry cutting and the other for wet. Here are our tips to help you decide if dry cutting or wet cutting is best for your project. Knowing the difference between dry cutting and wet cutting helps you determine the right diamond blade to use for your project.
Other than the obvious water involvement – wet and dry tile cutters do the same job – cut tiles. Generally installers will use a wet tile cutter for most of their jobs, but may opt for a dry cut option depending on the job in hand. As mentioned, any tiles can be cut using a wet tile cutter, but to get the best results from your wet cutter use it with stone tiles; such as marble, porcelain, glass tiles and for commerical grade ceramic floor tiles.
dry cut vs wet cut tile Related Question:
Is it better to cut tile wet or dry?
Our tips – Wet cutting is best used for long, continuous cutting tasks because it is less prone to overheating and blade wear-outs. Since wet cutting requires water, common tools and equipment for this method are concrete, tile or masonry saws, or those that frequently run on diesel and/or gas to prevent electrocution.
Is a wet saw required to cut tile?
A wet saw is a power tool that uses a water-cooled diamond blade to make quick work of cutting tile. The diamond blade does not have teeth, which makes it ideal for more delicate cutting needs. Wet saws can be used indoors, but are recommended for outdoor use.
Why do you cut tile wet?
For large jobs, where many tile cuts are taking place, a tile wet saw can also be beneficial. The water in the wet saw is crucial when cutting through hard or dense tile, such as porcelain, since it keeps the blade from heating up and beginning to smoke, creating too much friction to do its job properly.