Skil 3550-02 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw with HydroLock Water Containment System

I have used a wet saw before or tiled. This little saw worked great. I cut glass tiles with the original blade and had zero problems. Maybe a glass blade would have been easier, but for me this worked just fine. Also the instructions on assembly were confusing to me but I found a video on YouTube and it helped so much. Can't wait to use this little saw to do my daughter's backsplash.

I have my doubt at first. Looks a bit cheaply made but so far it does the job. Did the kid's bathroom, guest bathroom and kitchen backsplash. I m now working on my last bathroom and the only thing I have to do repkaced the blade. It is getting dull. I hope this saw will last until I completed my last bathroom.

I don't write many reviews, but I thought I would on this purchase. And I really struggled between 2 and 4 stars. My frame of reference is an $89 tile saw I purchased form Lowes 15 years ago. This saw has some great features and some really poor design features as well. I used this for a master bath remodel. It was used to cut tiles for 4 X 4 ft square shower and floor including 3 niches in the wall, and then the wall with a big window, and trim around a Jacuzzi tub. So there were a ton of tile cuts. Let's start with the good.1. The Hydorlock Containment System - nearly brilliant. And this is the reason I bought it instead of using my older saw. Yes it does work well if you have the splash guard down and resting on the tile you are going to cut. I cut the tile right in the room, with plastic to drape off our closet and the door shut. Although you will get a bit of spray exiting the back occasionally. However there are 2 ares where it does not control spray. First, is if you do a beveled cut that requires to raise the right side of the table, will not block the spray near as much. Second if you are cutting any thicker material, it is not as effective in blocking the spray. I had to cut some solid surface pieces i used for the shower niches and curb. That eliminated most of the spray containment when cutting those 3/4 pieces.2. Speaking of beveled cuts, the built in jig to do a 45 degree cut works very well.3. Size - is nice and portable.4. Noise - the motor is not load, but cutting tile can be. For 1/4 inch; ceramic wall tile it was not bad. But for the 3/8 inch; ceramic floor tile, I found that i had to wear nose reducing ear muffs. I suspect this is no different than other tile saws.5. Cleaning the reservoir - fairly easy. It includes a handy spot for emptying towards the bottom. However, it would be nice for them ot offer a lug for the emptying spout.Now for the unfortunate parts.1. The rip Fence - This barely gets one star. My old saw had a rip fence that was much more simple and plastic that worked far better and easier than this. This has to be one of the worst pieces of engineering to come out of Skil. Here is why:* It is extremely easy to bind as you are moving it.* It uses this crazy spring loaded design that has an L bracket that grips the front of the table top that still requires you to tighten down each time with a overly small knob. It is by far the most clumsy and difficult thing to use. They made the mechanism far too complicated for the purpose. Just give me a freaking thumb clamp like other tile saws and woodworking table saws use. If you buy this saw, or already own it, there is one thing I did after a couple of hours of frustration in using it. Get a file, or a dremel and grind down the top edge of the horizontal part of that L bracket enough to round it off some. That really made it easier. Come on Skil engineers. Use the product in real life before you shove it out the door. I am not an engineer and easily improved on your design.* It gives you a false sense of security. Because of the crazy spring mechanism, you may think it is tight, only to find out your tile shifts while cutting. But then if you push it or kind of manhandle the fence, you will find you can now tighten it more. Even after several sessions of use and making sure I avoided this, it still caught me and wasted a few cuts. My modification mentioned above did not help this design flaw.2. Angled cuts. I primarily cut two sizes of tiles - 10 X 13, and 6 X 24. Even though the specs said it can cut 18 X18, do not expect the lousy angle guide to help you if the tile is over say a 6X6. Since the angle guide slides on top of the rip fence, the table top and fence are not nearly long enough to accommodate larger tiles for angle cuts. Plan on hand guiding those cuts. If you are a little OCD like me, that is not super easy.3. Cleaning the splash guard - after about 2 sessions of using the saw, there was enough a build up of slurry in the guard to make it unusable to see through. And to clean it after each session would required tools to remove it. I am still trying to figure out how I will clean it now that I am done.I hope this helps those who are looking for a tile saw.

The SKIL 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw (3540-02) has been an absolute lifesaver for my home renovation projects. This tool delivers professional-level precision at an affordable price, making it perfect for DIYers and hobbyists.What I Love About It:Accurate Cutting:The saw’s adjustable rip fence with a miter gauge ensures precise straight and diagonal cuts. I used it for various tile sizes and shapes, and every cut came out clean and accurate. Perfect for intricate tile designs or fitting around corners.Powerful Performance:The 4.2-amp motor is powerful enough to handle ceramic, porcelain, and even natural stone tiles with ease. It didn’t bog down or struggle, even with thicker materials.Built-In Cooling System:The water reservoir is a game-changer. It keeps the blade cool, reduces dust, and minimizes tile chipping, ensuring smooth cuts every time. Plus, it’s easy to refill and maintain during extended use.Durable and Compact Design:The corrosion-resistant stainless-steel top is sturdy and provides a stable workspace. Despite its durability, the saw is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport and store.Bevel Capability:The adjustable bevel allows for cuts at 0, 22.5, and 45 degrees, which is perfect for achieving professional-looking finishes on edges and corners.Great Value for the Price:For the quality and performance, this saw is a bargain. It’s ideal for small to medium-sized tiling projects and saves a ton of money compared to hiring professionals.Why I Recommend It:This wet tile saw is a must-have for any DIY enthusiast tackling tiling projects. It’s easy to use, efficient, and delivers precise results without breaking the bank. Whether you’re remodeling a bathroom, installing a kitchen backsplash, or laying a new floor, the SKIL 3540-02 will help you get the job done beautifully.Highly recommend this tool—it’s reliable, well-made, and a pleasure to work with!

Love it, just cut up some 24"x12" for my entryway. Didn't use the guard so I could see the line for off cuts. Still a nice saw for home projects.

Great saw for DIY’ers I bought this Skil tile cutter to cut tiles for my bathroom remodel. The saw and table were easy to assemble. I was pleasantly surprised by the ease it went through my tiles. Cut beautifully and made quick work. I’d definitely recommend it to any one who enjoys DIY projects around the house.