Tile Saw vs Table Saw

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At first glance, tile saws and table saws have a lot in common. Both use circular blades to cut through their material. Both saws are very powerful tools, and are a mainstay for home owners, contractors, and DIY enthusiasts.

However, these two saws have a lot about them that differs. You want to make sure you are using each saw to cut its intended material. There are safety concerns if you either saw to cut the wrong thing.

Man lifting a table saw insert

Tile Saw vs Table Saw

There’s a reason why people favor table saw to cut wood than using tile saws. Moreover, if you’re on a budget, you’ll go for table saws. This is because they’re affordable and can be used for many things. With that being said, there are some decent inexpensive tile saws.

But, don’t underestimate the tile saw. In fact, this wonderful machine has the power to demolish anything. And here’s where things get a bit tricky. The power and kickback of the tile saw can cause a lot of havoc.

What is a Table Saw

Table saws are one of the best tools that are considered for wood cutting. Many even consider table saws as the wood saw. Let’s look at the reasons why people love this tool so much:

Uniform Accuracy

Table saws have the best accuracy between the two. But, how can you maintain the best accuracy with a table saw?

Well, you can adjust the table saws as much as you want. In fact, you can also hold them at different angles when cutting woods. As a result, you’ll form accurate cuts with this tool.

Table saws are usually used to make cross cuts in wood, but can also be used for rip cuts. Both are done with high accuracy. You would never want to attempt a rip cut with a tile saw.

Precise Angled Cuts

Compared to the tile saws, you can get a better angle in cutting the wood with this tool. Unlike band saws, you can move a table saw at any angle and in any direction.

Also, the cuts you’ll make using this tool will be precise. So, you can use this on any type of wood, and even some metals. You just need to have the correct table saw blade.

Blade Adjustment

The blade of a table saw can be adjusted easily. Moreover, you can even set the depth you want. By now, you’ll also know you can set the angles of the blade in any direction you want.

You can just crank the sides and set the depth of the blades. After this, you’ll need to tighten the blade in its position. And yes, that’ll be enough.

Additional Accessories

A table saw even lets you attach (or use) different accessories to it, such as a rip fence or sled. These attachments make for better functionality and usage.

And these are the reasons for and benefits of using a table saw for cutting wood.

Wet tile saw

What is a Tile Saw

You can consider a tile saw to be a tile cutter. Because they are designed to cut porcelain or ceramic, the blades are very different than what is required to cut wood.

Fast Uneven Cuts

A powerful tool means that it’ll do your work faster compared to other tools. But wait, just because it cuts tile fast, doesn’t mean those cuts are precise.

Tile saws can cut through incredibly dense material, but they are not nearly as accurate as table saws. They meander a bit and don’t cut as straight of a line.

Inconsistency

Yes, this is another drawback of using a tile saw. Tile saws are not always consistent. The cuts that you’ll get by using them on tile will be fast but not consistent.

And yes, it’s essential that you get uniform and consistent cuts throughout the whole time.

Table Saw Basics for Beginners

Which Saw to Pick?

Picking between a table saw vs tile saw is about which material you are cutting.

Pick a tile saw when you are cutting tile. Pick a table saw when you are cutting wood.

Don’t use a tile saw to cut wood unless you absolutely have to. Similarly, don’t use a table saw to cut tile.

An expert at home repair, remodel, and DIY projects for nearly 40 years. His first experience came in completely restoring an antique home. Completely redone from the inside out, and restored to its original form, the home is a featured design by renowned Southern California Architect Cliff May, considered to be the father of the California Ranch Home. Now Dennis spends his time on fine woodworking projects and tool comparisons.