Having a wet tile saw is a must for the professional tradesman. They mainly come in handy if you want to make a bathroom or kitchen fitters. In this review, we hope we could put an end to the Skil 3540-01 vs. 3540-02 debate by stating their features, pros, and cons. And since your safety should be your first concern, we have managed to tell you a few points to consider while using a wet tile saw.
The Short Answer
Skil 3540-01 is a great wet tile saw for cutting thin material. Since it does not have a large rip capacity, it is also suitable for cutting small pieces.
On the other hand, Skil 3540-02 can cut tough materials. Also, its rip capacity is excellent so it can cut large pieces of material.
If you need more details to reach an informed decision, go on reading the article.
Skil 3540-01 vs 3540-02 – Full Comparison
Power
The motor power of Skil 3540-01 is 4.2 ampere. Its 7-inch cutting blade makes 3.600 RPM.
On the other hand, Skil 3540-02 has a motor of 7 amperes. However, it is similar to Skil 3540-01 in that it has a 7-inch blade that makes 3.600 RPM.
The question now should be: why is the motor power of Skil 3540-02 larger than Skil 3540-01 if their blades make the same number of revolutions per minute?
Here is your answer: the more powerful the motor is, the greater the level of cutting speed consistency it delivers regardless of the material it is cutting.
So, Skil 3540-01 is better-suited for cutting thin material; whereas, Skil 3540-02 is better for tougher materials like granite and stone.
Rip Capacity
Skil 3540-01 has a limited rip capacity because it does not come with an extendable table. The largest piece of tile that the cutting blade of this model can take has a diameter of 12 x 12 inches.
Conversely, Skil 3540-02 has a standard table that is larger than that of Skil 3540-01. It can also extend further.
Typically, since the table extends, it can take up larger tiles of up to the size of 18 x 18 inch. These tiles sit on the table and comfortably move towards the cutting blade.
The winner of this point is Skil 3540-02 since it can take a large size of tiles- that come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Bevel Adjustment
This is an essential point to consider before buying a tile saw.
Both models have bevel stops at 0 and 45 degrees. You have to make the bevel adjustment before cutting.
However, with model 3540-02, you can easily make small bevel cuts; whereas, with 3540-01, you need to have a bevel stand that you must separately buy.
Water Cooling
Skil 3540-01 comes with an affixed basin underside the table, so the cutting blade is submerged in the water. This feature provides cooling as well as works as a lubricant between the tile and blade.
On the other hand, Skil 3540-02 has a much better cooling system that is the HydroLock system.
It stops the water from splurging above and below the table while in use. Although it does not cool down the blade, it prevents your workplace from getting wet providing you with a safer work environment.
Also, it lets you get a very tidy cutting experience.
Portability
Skil 3540-01 (18.7 pounds without water) is lighter than Skil 3540-02 (24 pounds without water) because the extendable table of the latter model adds to its weight.
Nevertheless, both models are lightweight, and their weight difference might go unnoticed to some people.
Dimensions:
Skil 3540-01: 17 x 15 x 7.2 inches
Skil 3540-02: 18 x 14.5 x 7.8 inches
Voltage:
Skil 3540-01: 120 Volts
Skil 3540-02: 120 Volts
What We Like and Do Not Like About Skil 3540-01 and Skil 3540-02:
Safety Precautions:
1. Clean Water
You must make sure that the wet saw has plenty of clean water. Water cools down the tile and keeps the dust down.
Moreover, you should make sure that the water is always clean.
Normally, the water will collect small particles of tile and dust. Unclean water is dangerous because it is a possibility that the dirty stuff in it may get out causing small cuts.
2. Sharp Blade
Like all kinds of saws, you must never work with a dull blade.
A sharp blade makes clean, accurate cuts.
3. Speed
The keyword to get clean cuts with zero injuries is patience.
Do not ever force the tile into the wet saw. All you need to do is guide the tile through the entire cut, and let the blade do the grabbing.
If you force the tile, it will most probably get broken.
4. Protective Equipment
It is better to use specific equipment while using any kind of power tools. For example, you should wear ear protection, rubber gloves and safety glasses to keep debris away from getting into your eyes.
Moreover, whenever you use a loud power for a long time, you should wear any kind of hearing protection to avoid hearing loss.
5. The Right Saw
Using the right wet saw for the job you are doing will make it a hundred times safer.
Wet saws come in different shapes and sizes; there are small ones that are suitable for home projects and large ones that are better suited for large projects.
6. Read The Manual
Read the safety precautions on the manual and be aware of any warnings.
7. Use The Provided Guide
To make sure that you are making accurate cuts, use the guide that comes with the saw. You can also make marks with a pencil on the places you want to cut.
Bottom Line:
It is obvious that Skil 3540-02 is the better one since it has a better and safer cooling system, and can cut larger pieces of whatever material.
Moreover, it can cut sturdy materials with consistent cutting speed and accuracy.
However, if you only want to cut thin short pieces, Skil 3540-01 would work perfectly for that purpose.