Cut Porcelain and Granite Tiles easily

From Romania to Dublin – A Tiler’s Story

My name is Lando. I’m originally from Romania but have been living and working in Dublin for over 20 years. I learned my trade in tiling and flooring from my father — a man who never rushed a job and always believed in doing things right the first time. One lesson he taught me that I still live by today is this: “The right tool does half the work.”

I’ve worked on everything from small bathroom floors to large outdoor granite pavements. One thing I’ll admit? I’m not the best at maintaining my own tools. Especially with big jobs like outdoor porcelain or granite tiling, it’s just easier to rent the proper wet tile saw in Dublin from A-Z Hire. They have top-quality machines, and you only pay when you actually need them — which makes sense for the kind of work I do where tiles are often over 1.4 metres in length.

This guide is mainly for DIYers who want to take on a serious tile project, but if you’re a pro, you might find a nugget of info here too. If you’re wondering how to use a wet tile saw or where to hire a wet tile saw in Dublin, this article will walk you through every step.

Why Use a Wet Tile Saw?

Wet tile saws are essential when you’re working with:

• Large format tiles
• Porcelain or ceramic
• Granite, marble, or dense stone
• Outdoor tiling or paving slabs

These saws use a diamond blade cooled by water to prevent heat damage. The water also suppresses dust and helps the blade last longer. If you’re cutting expensive materials, or you want a clean, pro finish — this is the only way to go.

And yes, they can cut at 45-degree angles too — something a manual cutter won’t do properly. I’ve used this for mitred corners, stairs, and edges on garden wall cappings.

Using a wet tile saw in Dublin’s damp climate is especially helpful for reducing airborne dust and mess on site.Whether you’re cutting granite slabs in the garden or porcelain tiles for a bathroom, this is the most efficient and accurate method.

When to Hire Instead of Buy

If you’re not cutting tiles every week, buying a wet tile saw can be a waste of money. These machines aren’t cheap, and if you buy a low-quality one just to save cash, you’ll end up wasting time and tiles.

Here’s why I recommend hiring, especially from A-Z Hire:

• You only need them for specific jobs — like when a customer brings large tiles or wants outdoor paving cut precisely.
• It’s more economical — no need to store or maintain a bulky machine.
• The gear is solid — I’ve never picked up a dud from A-Z Hire. Their tools are serviced and clean.
• You get access to trade-grade tools — the kind you wouldn’t bother buying for one or two jobs a year.

If you’re looking to hire a wet tile saw in Dublin for a one-time tiling project, this is by far the most cost-effective and reliable option.

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Wet Tile Saw (.. a Tilers Story )

Why I Prefer Wet Saws

Let’s start with this — I love wet saws. Why? Simple:

• Zero dust
• Less noise
• No backache from scoring and snapping
• Precise, consistent cuts every time

Once you get used to working with one, especially on big jobs, you’ll never want to go back to dry cutting.

Step 1 – Choose the Right Diamond Blade

Not all blades are created equal. Before you even turn the machine on, take a minute to think about the material you’re cutting. Here’s the rule:

Use the blade that matches your material’s hardness and abrasiveness.

For example:

• Porcelain? Use a porcelain-rated diamond blade
• Granite or stone? Use a continuous rim turbo blade
• Concrete or engineering brick? Specialised masonry blades

Don’t try to cut everything with one blade — it’ll wear out fast, or worse, chip the tile. I often carry multiple blades for different applications on the same site.

Step 2 – Pre-Check Your Wet Saw

Before cutting anything, run through this short checklist:

• Is the correct blade installed and secured?
• Any damage or warping on the blade?
• Check the power cord, belts, and motor oil (if it’s petrol-powered).
• Ensure the water pump is working — the water must flow freely over the blade.
• Are you wearing PPE? That means:
  • Safety glasses or goggles
  • Gloves
  • Wet protection apron
  • Hearing protection

Step 3 – Line Up the Cut

With the machine powered OFF:

• Place your tile or stone on the bench.
• Line up your mark with the saw blade.
• If it’s a long piece or awkward shape, stabilise it — never cut something that wobbles or shifts.

Step 4 – Make the Cut (Slow and Steady Wins Here)

• Turn on the water pump first — this is crucial.
• Power on the saw and let the blade reach full speed.
• Slowly and steadily guide the material into the blade.

Let the blade do the work. Every blade has a natural speed at which it wants to cut. Forcing it faster:

• Overheats the blade
• Causes chipping
• Dulls the diamond edge
• Can damage the motor

Safety Tip:

As you finish the cut, support both sides of the tile — don’t let one piece fall off the table. It could break, or worse, injure your foot or knee.

Step 5 – Multipassing for Thick or Hard Stone

If you’re cutting very thick or dense materials, like granite paving or heavy engineering stone, I recommend using multipassing:

Instead of one deep cut, make 2–3 shallow passes, going a bit deeper each time.

This reduces:

• Blade stress
• Chipping
• Risk of cracking the tile

It also gives you a smoother finish and extends the life of your saw and blade.

Step 6 – Clean Up and Inspect

Once done:

• Turn off the saw and pump
• Rinse down the bench and blade
• Inspect your cut and clean the tile
• If you’ve made multiple cuts, top up the water tank as needed

Final Word: Wet vs. Dry Cutting

In 99% of tiling jobs, wet cutting is the way to go — it’s safer, faster, and gives better results.

Dry cutting? Only if absolutely necessary. And if you do:

• Use a blade specifically made for dry cutting
• Cut in short, shallow bursts
• Take frequent cooling breaks
• Wear a proper respirator mask (not just a dust mask!) to protect yourself from crystalline silica dust — this stuff is no joke.

Dry cutting also creates a mess and risks damaging expensive materials — something you avoid entirely by learning how to use a wet tile saw properly.

Conclusion: Don’t Cut Corners — Use the Right Tools

Whether you’re laying a new patio, cutting porcelain planks, or finishing a high-end granite edge, a wet tile saw will make your life easier and your work look better. Trust me — I’ve seen the mess people make with dry grinders and cheap gear.

And unless you’re cutting tiles every day, just rent one from A-Z Hire. It’s what I do. You get top-quality gear without the headache of maintenance — and your tiles (and customers) will thank you for it.

If you’re searching online for how to use a wet tile saw or where to hire a wet tile saw in Dublin, this guide gives you everything you need to get started safely and confidently.

If you’ve got a job coming up with large format tiles or outdoor paving, give A-Z Hire in Dublin a call. You won’t regret it.