Perhaps you have recently bought a wet tile saw for a home renovation or repair job. Now, you want to move on to another project involving wood, but you do not own a circular or table saw. If you are on a budget and frugality is your main objective, you may now be wondering if you can cut wood with a wet tile saw.
You can use a wet tile saw to cut wood. However, there is an increased risk of injury with doing so as this is NOT what the tool is designed for. Substituting a wet tile saw for a circular or table saw is not recommended. Instead, you should consider purchasing a cheaper hand saw for your woodworking project – if money is an issue. ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB!
Now that you know you can use a wet tile saw to cut wood but that is not recommended, let us take a closer look at this in more detail below. We will discuss the reasons why you would choose to use this type of power tool on wood and why you really should not. We will also explore other tool options and explain what the best saw is for cutting wood.
We will then touch on some related topics, including whether (or not) you can use an angle grinder or metal circular saw to slice through the wood as well as what the potential safety risks are for using a wet tile saw incorrectly.
So, if you are ready to learn more about wet tile saws and cutting wood, then please continue reading…
Can a Wet Tile Saw Cut Wood?
Though a wet tile saw may resemble a table saw, it is not designed to cut through wood. It is equipped with a diamond-edged, carbide blade that is different from that of a table saw. As well, this tool spins the blade in the opposite direction of a table saw.
The carbide blade works by grinding (rather than slicing) through the material. If used on wood, it would likely jam and/or ruin the blade itself, not to mention cause injury to the operator.
In short, without the proper tool for the task at hand, you will achieve the desired results.
Can I Use a Metal Circular Saw to Cut Wood?
A different blade is required for cutting wood or wood composite as opposed to metal. The number of teeth is the determining factor – more teeth equals a smoother cut.
Metal cutting (or crosscut) blades have more teeth per inch than wood cutting (or rip) blades. Using the proper blade is key to a successful (and safe) woodworking project.
Can I Use an Angle Grinder to Cut Wood?
As mentioned above, while it is certainly possible to cut wood with an angle grinder, it is (definitely) not recommended.
The risk of injury doing so is just too great. The only reason to use it on wood is perhaps to trim or for small cut-outs.
Whenever possible, use a saw instead, such as a circular, jig, oscillating or reciprocating saw/tool. They are designed specifically for this task with the correct size and style blade.
Why Should You Not Use a Wet Tile Saw to Cut Wood?
Apart from the obvious safety issue, using a wet tile saw to cut wood will only ruin your power tool. A wet tile saw does not have enough power or torque to slice through lumber cleaning.
The likely end-result is a blown-out motor. A wet tile saw simply is not designed for that type of job.
It is imperative that you always use tools the way the manufacturer intended, otherwise you risk injuring yourself.
What is the Best Tool for Cutting Wood?
The best manual or hand tool for cutting wood is a bowsaw, which is the wood-cutting equivalent of a metal-cutting hacksaw.
Not only is it lightweight and versatile, but it is also capable of cutting on both the forward and backward stroke.
This makes it much easier (and faster) to slice through wood effectively. Perfect for straight and curved cuts, it is an affordable alternative to a power saw.
The best power tool for cutting wood is the circular saw. It cuts through various types of wood such as plywood, hardwood, softwood, panel boards, and laminates with ease.
Not only can it cut through a lot of wood in a short period of time, but it does so safely and effectively (provided, of course, that it is used correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions).
For What Woodworking Jobs Could You Use a Wet Tile Saw?
You could perhaps use a wet tile saw to cut two by four’s, provided the wood is clamped down securely.
However, the kickback would be intense and, in my opinion, not worth the safety risk. As well, the blade would likely get damaged from the high RPM’s.
The only possible way to avoid ruining the blade would be to add on a variable speed control – this would allow you to adjust the RPM’s to a slower pace.
A possible scenario whereby you may need to use a wet tile saw to cut wood would be on a job site, for example, and the table saw breaks down.
You could do a few rough cuts of lumber, but absolutely no finishing work or anything that requires accuracy and/or intricacy.
As well, it would only be temporary or as a last resort until you could get the table saw up and running again.
What are the Safety Concerns When Using a Wet Tile Saw?
As with any power tool, there are safety risks associated with use. The wet tile saw is no different, which makes it so important to always use the tool properly.
And, while this tool may not be as dangerous as traditional wood-cutting saws, you still need to be cautious and attentive when operating one.
The greatest danger by far involves the intense sharpness of the blade. It not only slices material, it tears through it…and at a rapid rate as well!
Extreme care must be taken when handling and changing the blade – wear rubber work gloves to prevent scrapes or burns and always make sure the machine is OFF.
Some other safety tips include the following:
- Ensure your shop or garage is clean and well-ventilated.
- Always work in a well-lit area with a sufficient power supply to operate rotor tools.
- Wear appropriate apparel, steel-toed boots, safety goggles, earplugs, and a dust mask.
- Never force-cut material but rather allow the tool to slowly ‘feed’ it through.
- Never yank the power cord to disconnect the tool from the receptacle.
- Keep power cords clear of sharp objects.
- Store flammable chemicals or solvents away from rotor tools to prevent sparking.
- Keep children and pets away from rotor tools and electrical outlets.
The most important advice I can give you (and I cannot stress this enough) is to always use the right tool for the job.
Read through the instruction manual carefully and completely in advance and familiarize yourself with the tool before using it. A successful DIY project is a safe one!
Conclusion
To conclude, you could potentially use a wet tile saw to cut wood. However, the increased risk of injuring yourself in the process is not worth it!
You should always use tools properly, the way the manufacturer intended. Never substitute a wet tile saw for a table or circular saw, especially if the job requires you to cut wood.
Instead, consider purchasing a cheaper hand saw if you are on a tight budget.
I hope this article has been of help to you. Thanks for reading and good luck with your upcoming DIY projects!
Cheers, tools owners!
