Yes, you heard right! We are talking about a tile saw to cut wood. So, can you use a tile saw to cut wood? Have you ever tried it?
If you have just finished your tile-work and don’t want to spend again on wood saws, you can start working with the tile saw too! However, you will need a wet tile saw for the process! Check out the process and tell us how you feel!
Does Tile Saw work on Wood?
Are tile saw able to cut anything other than tiles? Can you use a tile saw to cut wood? Precisely, the answer is yes, you can. Tile saws are very powerful. If you have every used tile saw, you already know it. If you haven’t, let us break the story before you. Tile saws include circular blades. The blades are very sharp. So, these can go through almost anything! So, you can easily use them as your normal saws. But should you use it on wood?
The question is a bit complicated. Tile saws are tough to handle. And it is difficult to understand that you are using the tile saw properly or not. You can only have the saw with high power if you are using it on tiles. But when you are using it on wood, it can be tough to understand the amount of power it is providing.
So, there is always a chance of damaging your wood workpiece! If you are going to cut a lot of wood with a tile saw, that can be difficult. In most cases, cutting small wood pieces with a tile saw is not too tough if you know the right manner. But for that, you surely need expertise and the required guideline. Along with these, there are necessary precautions needed for such processes.
Step by Step Cutting Wood with Tile Saw
Step 1: Prepare the Workplace
Your first job for cutting wood with a tile saw is to get the area ready for the process. As we have told you before, you cannot use a regular tile saw. Instead, you have to use a wet tile saw for the process. Now that you have already planned it, go for preparing the work area. Make sure that the area you select has no obstacle and it is a free space.
The floor should be plain and certify that all the furniture and upholstery are kept aside so that they do not disturb you when you work. As you are using a tile saw, you have to keep in mind that it is very powerful. As it can easily cut your floor or damage it, we recommend you to cover the floor. Go and buy some plastic sheets so that the area is protected.
As it is a wet tile saw, the floor can be watery while cutting. Plastic sheet protects form additional water. In short, the workplace should be stable, plain, and firm. After this, you can place the saw in its position and start working.
Step 2: Prepare the Wet Tile Saw
If you have used a wet tile saw, you already know how it works. But if you haven’t, we must brief it to you. First, take some water and go through the water container or reservoir of the saw. There, you can pour the necessary water for the cutting process. After pouring the water check if the water is on the right level or not.
All you have to do is cover the recirculating pump with water and once you have done it, you can stop! In some cases, you can use the new water feed for the method. If you do it, you need to add a hose connection between the saw and the spigot. After this, take a bucket and set it under the drain outlet. If you do not find any drain outlet nearby, you can add another hose that takes the water to the drain point.
Step 3: Plug the Saw
Now you are ready to plug the saw into the outlet. While plugging, make sure that you are choosing a GFCI-protected outlet. You have to agree that you might not have any such outlet nearby. If so, get a GFCI extension cord so that you can take the power from that point. Water and electricity are enemies. As you are mixing these, you cannot go for a regular outlet; this is important.
When you are ready to plug it in, check the drip loop in the cord. Ensure that the loop is leading to the outlet from the wet tile saw. Check the saw along with the outlet and confirm that the loop is lower than them. In this way, water will not drip down the extension cord or not enter the outlet. Otherwise, there will be accidents.
Step 4: Clamp the Wood
Now that you are ready with the saw, you have to get the wood pieces ready for the job. Tile saw will provide a lot of pressure. So, you cannot ignore the proper clamping process for the wood you are using.
If you do not go through the required clamping, you might end up damaging the wood or the saw. Go through the wood piece and put clamps on both sides. As a result, the wood will not jump anymore and will stick to one place when you use the saw.
Step 5: Start Cutting
You are almost done with the preparation. Now, all you can do is cut the wood. Start cutting the wood carefully. While doing it, make sure you have worn protection gear for all your body parts. The water should hit the blade but also it should not splash too wildly.
You have to let the saw go slowly yet steadily. Make sure you have marked the line you want to cut before you start cutting. In this process, you might need to refresh the water more often. If you see the water is getting muddy, you can simply remove the water and refill the reservoir with fresh water. After this, continue working!
Wrap Up
So, you have learned if you can use a tile saw for cutting wood or not. Also, the process of cutting wood with a tile saw is explained with care here. Go through the process and you will not need to spend extra money on a table saw anymore!
Comment below if you have tried this method before. Also, try this out but make sure you go through the proper guidelines to stay away from unwanted accidents.
