Can You Use A Wet Tile Saw To Cut Wood – Is It The Right Tools

Can You Use A Wet Tile Saw To Cut Wood? There are times when you really need to do some important wood-cutting tasks, only to discover that you lack the appropriate wood-cutting tools. After searching through your equipment room for a circular saw, all you could find was a wet tile saw. In situations like this, you might find yourself pondering the question, “Can you use a wet tile saw to cut wood?”

Well, the simple answer is yes. You can actually use a wet tile saw to cut wood. But this is not recommended practice. Wet tile saws are designed for cutting through tiles and not wood. Using equipment for the wrong purpose can sometimes result in unfavorable outcomes.

If you wish to learn more about the wet tile saw, how to use it, and the pros and cons of using it, keep scrolling.

Can you use a wet tile saw to cut wood?

Wet tile saws are not designed for cutting soft materials such as wood. It is always advisable to look for a circular or table saw to use for your wood-cutting tasks. This is because the risk involved in using a wet tile saw is not worth taking.

Wet tile saws are designed for cutting hard materials like tiles, stones, and porcelain. It is fitted with a carbide saw blade that’s coated with pieces of diamonds around its edges. The carbide blade passes through a basin of water that is kept underneath the saw. The water is meant to keep the carbide blade cool and prevent overheating, which can damage the tiles being cut.

Wet Saw Blade

The wet tile saw blades do not have teeth and also spin in the opposite direction of a table saw. Carbide blades are also designed to grind through materials, unlike table saws that cut through. Also, the RPM of a wet tile saw is high compared to wood-cutting saws.

So, to successfully cut wood with it, you need to find a way to reduce its speed. And even if you successfully cut the wood, you will be left with a damaged carbide blade.

Another way of using the wet tile saw on wood would be by changing its carbide blade to a circular saw blade. This is also not advisable as the speed of the wet tile saw can cause kickbacks that can lead to serious injuries.

Pros and Cons of using a wet tile saw to cut wood

Using a wet tile saw on wood can be dangerous. But if you must, you should be aware that the risk outweighs the benefits. Also, note that you can’t cut large wood planks using the wet tile saw. It is best suited for two-by-four-sized wood or lower. Also, plywood and cardboard can be easily cut using a wet tile saw.

Pros

• It is relatively cheaper compared to a circular or table saw. But this shouldn’t encourage you to purchase a wet saw instead of the appropriate wood-cutting saw. Instead, you can purchase a cheaper hand saw to cut your wood. 
• Wet saws are designed to make clean and clear cuts. Using them to make trimmings and small cuttings can result in a straight, clean cut. But to do this, you need to find a way to control its speed.

Cons

• One major disadvantage of using the wet tile saw is that it can cause serious injuries. The speed of the blade is not suitable for cutting soft materials. When using a wet tile saw in the woods, you might experience kickbacks from the machine. This can cause serious damage to the wood and also the operator.
• Using the wet tile saw on wood can also damage it. It will end up ruining your carbide blade and also the saw motor responsible for rotating the blade.

How to cut wood with a wet tile saw safely

The wet tile saw can be used to cut wood either directly or by changing the blades. Using them to cut wood follows a similar process to using them to cut tiles. Also, avoid using them to cut large pieces of wood, as this is dangerous.

Step 1

You should begin by preparing your workstation. This can be either in a well-lit garage or outdoors. Ensure you have a socket outlet close by and the space is free from obstacles. If you are working indoors, you can cover the floor with plastic materials to prevent staining the floor.

Step 2

The next step would be prepping the wet tile saw. Disconnect the pipe supplying water to the saw and empty the basin holding the water. Using water while cutting wood is super dangerous. The wet wood fibers can be caught by the running blade, leading to a major kickback in the machine.

Step 3

For those who want to switch the carbide blade to that of a circular saw, this is the best time to do that. Carefully loosen and remove the carbide blade and replace it with a similar-sized circular saw blade. Fasten the screws holding the blade tight to prevent accidents.

Step 4

Prepare the wood to be cut. Make sure it’s no bigger than 2 by 4. Mark the area you wish to cut using a marker and gently adjust the guide fence to match the width of the cut you intend to make. Position the wood on the saw in front of the blade and press it against the guide fence.

Step 5

Put on your protective gear, such as safety eye goggles and ear protectors. Turn on the saw and slowly push the wood through the blade. Keep both hands away from the saw to prevent injuries.

How to convert wet tile saw to cut wood

To convert a wet tile saw into a wood-cutting saw, you need to change the carbide blade to a circular or table saw blade. The teeth of the carbide saw are smooth, while those of the wood-cutting circular saw have teeth. Also, for safety reasons, you have to add a speed control system to reduce the RPM of the motor.

Tools needed for this process include:

• A new circular or table saw blade.
•  A box wrench

Steps:

• Place one matching wrench on the central bolt and another on the backing plate. 
• Turn the wrench clockwise to loosen the central bolt. 
• Remove the central bolt and clean any dirt or sawdust from the bolt as well as the central hole.
• Remove the carbide blade. Ensure the adapter plate is firmly fixed in the central hole of the new circular saw blade.
• Fix the new circular or table saw in the central hole and fasten the central bolt. 
• Screw the central bolt in an anticlockwise manner until it is firm. 
• Test run the saw to make sure it is attached firmly.

What other things can you cut with a wet tile saw?

The main use of the wet tile saw is to cut tiles in a precise and clean manner. They are useful for cutting all sorts of tiles, including glass tiles and other ceramic materials.

A wet tile saw is also used to cut through concrete, stones, and other delicate materials. The carbide blades operate by grinding through the material, making them perfect for hard surfaces. Depending on the type of carbide blade available, most wet tile saws can be used to cut through metal. Asphalt can also be cut using a wet tile saw.

What other tools can you use to cut wood?

When it comes to wood cutting, power tools such as the circular and table saw are the best. They are faster and provide a cleaner and smoother cut. Other examples of power tools include:

• Jig saw
• Band saw
• Chop saw
• Rotary saw

Hand saws such as jacksaws, Japanese saws, bow saws, and crosscut saws are also used to cut wood. These are manual tools used to cut wood, and they take lots of time and energy when compared to power tools. Other wood-cutting tools include chisels, chain saws, pruning saws, and axes.

Conclusion 

Wet tile saws are designed specifically for cutting tiles and other ceramic materials. They are not designed for wood cutting. So, avoid using them to cut wood as it is very dangerous and can cause serious injuries. If you decide to still use the wet tile saw for cutting wood, note that it will damage the edges of your carbide blade making them unusable. Also, ensure you find a way to reduce the speed of the saw motor as the speed is not suitable for cutting wood.