electric tile saw - types of blades?

[jim]

I have a cheapo elec tile tale saw and been using it on a job - I hired one in the past and the blades seem different - the new chepao one appears to be 2mm say thick right to the edge but I'm sure I recall the hired one was tapered towards the outer and also did much cleaner cuts without "splintering" the face of ceramic tiles

Does anyone know if this "tapered blade" I think I saw is by design or were the hired one's blade edges just worn ?

IOW has my cheapo machine come with a cheapo blade and if so where from and how much is a decent one like the tapered one?

ta Jim

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Even the most basic Plasplugs etc should give a near perfect cut if the blade is in good nick. Provided you keep the water level correct and don't force the cutting it should last a long time too.

Only other types I've seen are grooved blades - they tend to cut faster at the expense of the edge.

[jim]

mmm this cheapo m/c does have a tendency to chuck all it's water out quickly (by the return path partially missing the reservoir and going onto the floor) although the spray pattern up my shirts says it must have some!! I'll see if I can modify that bit of it...

Maybe I'm being overexpectant - the cuts are very reasonable - I was just wondering if i could squeeze a bit more from my =A325 :>)

cheers Jim

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Only really know the PlasPlugs range - but on those you need to set the guard correctly to avoid water going everywhere. It's a bit fiddly but you soon get used to doing it. The last thing you want is to let the blade run dry.

I started off with the cheapest model and now have the most expensive one. No difference in the quality of the cut - just better handling of large tiles. And a better duty cycle.