got a QEP 7 inch wet saw, pt# 60085, the blade still got about a 1/4 inch of the thick part on the end, but won't hardly cut, is it wore out? thought the thick part was the cutting part.

how does Pro's do a long line across open spaces?

guy at Gym just lays a chalk line, then mortars over it. he don't use the spacers either, he ain't impressing me none

 

Diamonds do the cutting. (assuming you have a diamond blade)
I square the room, figure out which design I will do, snap 2 chalk lines at a 90 degree angle, and start. I always make sure a full tile is at the doorway. I mix the mortar, screed it out level with a 8' piece of aluminum, and put the tile down. Never use spacers. Cheap tile will be all different sizes. Spacers will drive you crazy. Hope this helps.

 

diamond blades will dull after cutting some types of tile, Try this,
take a piece of cinderblock & hold it to the blade while its spinning. after doing that you should be able to first turn the saw off...... then run you thumb nail up & down the cutting edge, you should now be able to feel the diamonds sticking out of the matrix. if you run your finger nail across the blade & it is just smooth then your diamond are probably all worn off & you just have the base of the matrix left. (time for a new blade) Hope this helps......

 

hey guys...it was wore out...

why did you not warn me about the $50 blade?
that was only one in my town, drove 45 mins to Home Depot..and got the $14 blade..woo hoo!!!

it actually cuts good now, well faster at least.

but this blade seems to really chip the top away, where you will be able to see it. the other blade did not. varied feed rate, holding postions, no joy. oh well. 1.5 rooms left to do.....be done with it.

spots - tried it withtout the spacers...you are right. much easier, not much more out of line.

tks guys

 

as you found out with diamond blades the cheaper ones will sometimes chip the tiles. Have you tried cutting it upsidedown or is that worse (ususally is worse but I have done this on occasion)

 

thought about that...this tile has a nice glaze too it..was afraid to scracth it, doing it upside down.

only got part of laundry room & one bath room left to do. no biggie.
just want to get it done. it's hard work, much more than it looks on TV.

 

I don't mind the tiling, it's the grouting that kills me. It has two strikes against it: One, it's hard work; and two, it requires a lot of cleanup. Not fun.

 

jfptr, the guys on base soaked a big fluffy towel in a 5 gallon bucket of water.

sopped it in the bucket, drug it a few feet, rinsed it agian. got big stuff

had 2nd guy come behind with another bucket & sponge, getting smaller bits.

seemed to be moving pretty good.

but the wife & kid agree with you...they hate grouting!

 

I try to grout 200 or 300 feet really quickly with two floats, let it set up , and wash with a sponge, having an assistant bring fresh water all the time. This way I get away with only one washing and a slight buffing and it is done. But you're right, hard on the knees, even with good knee pads. Rubber gloves and warm water are much easier on the joints. (mine not the floors)