Tile saw for cutting brick

[cuda]

In preparation for my pompeii oven project, I am going to acquire a wet saw. There are some saws that are marketed as tile saws that will cut up to 2-1/4" thickness, are in the range of 1-1/4 horsepower and are wet saws. These would be okay for cutting firebrick, I presume?

These are less than $150, as compared to paver saws that are a slightly bigger and cost anywhere from $500- $1000. Will the tile saw suffice?

[cuda]

I forgot to mention they are 7" blades, as opposed to 10" blades common to other masonry saws. I have some experience with stone and brick, but none with firebrick, I'm afraid.

[Versachi]

I had planned on buying a bigger wet saw to make my oven but settled on a workforce wet saw from HD. It worked fine and I used it again to tile my bathroom this spring. I cut all of my bricks in half but used a grinder with a 5 inch diamond blade to fit each brick as I went along. Some angled cuts were more difficult because of the tile saws blade size but they can be accomplished if you move the brick around.

Cheers, Versachi

[dmun]

Firebrick (regular low duty type) is one of the easiest forms of masonry to diamond cut. A lower powered 7" wet saw will cut it easily. The problem is that you can't cut all the way through a brick on one pass with the seven inch blade. You will have to flip each brick and re-cut. This is fine if you are just planning to cut bricks in half and do the odd bit of shaping for the entry. If you are planning to do more cutting than that, you want to spring for the ten inch saw. Harbor Freight has a inexpensive one that many of us have used successfully, even for quite elaborate projects.

Whatever you do, don't buy the seven inch tile saw that is like a little table saw with the blade riding in a tank of water underneath. This saw throws all the mud right up into your face. You have to hose your self and your goggles off after every cut.

[Versachi]

Ya I got a little wet doing mine but found no need to flip and recut each brick as the cut edge is on the outside of the dome. One pass through and a tap of of the hammer will snap the uncut portion of the brick. That said, if I lived in the states I would probably have gone and bought a saw from HF. I think you guys can get them pretty cheap as dmun said.

Cheers, Versachi

[thebadger]

My 2 cents or should I say ~$59.

I bought the HF "dry chop saw" with a 10 inch blade. When I wet my bricks before cutting it didn't kick up too much dust. On windy days I just cut my bricks dry - made sure my boys/neighbor kids weren't around.

I did wear a respirator with the canister filters. I don't recommned using the dry cut method without a good respirator.

Anyway if money is tight then this option might be something to consider.

Dick

PS I just cut two of those large landscaping bricks for a neighbor.

[cuda]

I actually have a chop saw, but didn't want to deal with the dust. I looked at the Workforce and another brand the other day. They look like thy might be winners. Advertised to cut 2-1/4" depth.

[Dutchoven]

Originally Posted by cuda

I actually have a chop saw, but didn't want to deal with the dust. I looked at the Workforce and another brand the other day. They look like thy might be winners. Advertised to cut 2-1/4" depth.

I you just have a regular chop saw I would not recommend just dropping in a masonry blade and cutting...the dust will eat up the motor...I would recomend that you go for the HF 10' wet saw...it's about $200...and their blade is not terrible either...we have used it for lots of brick cutting and tile cutting...the best part is if you don't want to hang on to it you could probably sell it pretty easily in classifieds or on Ebay...
All the best!
Dutch

[Ken524]

Cuda,

I bought the Harbour Freight Brick/Tile wet saw. Best money I have spent on my oven project.

[cuda]

Guess I'll have to keep looking for this elusive 10" wet saw from harbor freight for $200. I searched their website and didn't see it, but then again, I miss lots of things. Thanks again, folks.