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Any job requiring new tiles is going to require a tile saw. In order to get the perfect tile cut for bathrooms, kitchens, floors, and other decorations, a wet tile saw is going to allow for perfect accuracy. While you could rent a tile saw, Skil makes a purchase worthwhile.
Today, we are going to compare the Skil 3540-01 vs 3540-02. We will look at their design, power and cutting accuracy. After we have taken a detailed look at their similarities and differences, we will include a comparison chart to review the features side by side. To complete the comparison and make an informed decision, there will be some pros and cons at the end.
The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 are incredibly similar. Let’s begin with what the two tile saws have in common.
Skil 3540-01 vs Skil 3540-02 – Similarities
Quick Glance
We can recap the specifications of the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 in the side-by-side chart below.
[amazon table=”1918″]Appearance
The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 look exactly the same. They are both 18 x 14.5 x 7.75 inches and weigh 17.69 pounds. They are red.
Materials
The red base is made of plastic. On top of the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02, there is a stainless-steel top. This is resistant to corrosion and adds to the durability of the tile saws.
The Blade
The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 come with a 7” diamond blade. Diamond blades are the best for accurate cutting and finished edges. They are perfect for cutting hard materials such as ceramic and porcelain.
Power
We looked into the amperage and the revolutions per minute. The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 have 4.2 amps of power. The revolutions per minute (RPM) is 3,600. This type of power makes the wet tile saws perfect for residential use.
Accuracy
There is an adjustable rip fence with the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02. This provides you with a cutting guide. They also have a miter gauge to hold your tiles when cutting at angles.
Blade Cooling Reservoir
The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 are both wet tile saws. Diamond blades are the best at cutting precise lines, but they also cut at the slowest rate. For this reason, under the stainless-steel top is a water reservoir. The blades pass through the reservoir, keeping them cool.
Bevel Cuts
Your beveled cuts are those that run at an angle across the material. The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 can saw bevel cuts from 0 to 45º.
Cut Capacities
The Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 have cut cross capacities of 7.25 inches. The diagonal cut capacity is 7.25 inches.
There are just three differences that we have found between the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02. We will cover these now.
Differences Between Skil 3540-01 and Skil 3540-02
Maximum Tile Size
The most common tile sizes for walls are 12 x 12 inches and 18 x 18 inches, however, it’s not uncommon to have larger tiles.
Skil 3540-01
The maximum tile size you can cut is 12 x 12 inches.
Skil 3540-02
This wet tile saw has an extendable table so you can cut tiles up to 18 x 18 inches.
The Winner Is- The Skil 3540-02
What’s Included
This might be a case of lack of product information, but it should still be considered.
Skil 3540-01
It comes with a 7” diamond blade, a blade guard and blade wrenches.
Skil 3540-02
The only thing that is mentioned is that it comes with the 7” diamond blade guard.
The Winner Is- The Skil 3540-01
Value for Money
As previously mentioned, hiring a wet tile saw may well end up costing more than buying one. Not only that, but they are very handy to have for those ‘just in case’ moments.
Skil 3540-01
This model is slightly more expensive, depending on offers. You might be looking at around $30 more. It comes with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Skil 3540-02
You have the same warranty and money-back guarantee, but you can save yourself a few dollars.
The Winner Is- The Skil 3540-02
Pros and Cons
Before our final verdict, let’s take a look at some pros and cons of the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02.
Skil 3540-01
Pros:
- It’s very simple to use, even for novice tile cutters
- Works very well on porcelain tiles
- Little to no dust while you are cutting
Cons:
- There is a little bit of splashing from the water reservoir
Skil 3540-02
Pros:
- Nice clean cuts on different-sized tiles
- Great value for money
- Ideal tool for bathroom and kitchen splashback
Cons:
- The water reservoir is quite small, and you have to fill it frequently
The Final Verdict
Prior to choosing either the Skil 3540-01 or the Skil 3540-02, you should bear in mind that they are designed for smaller jobs. They are perfect for home improvements but probably not enough for professional use.
The disadvantages of the Skil 3540-01 and the Skil 3540-02 are really the same. The water reservoir is a little small and with a bit of splashing, you will have to make sure you keep filling it up. Aside from this, the two wet tile saws were very similar. They are made of the same materials and have the same power. The cutting abilities and accuracy are identical too. Today’s winner is the Skil 3504-02. We liked the fact that you can pull out the extendable table for larger cuts and the fact that it is a little cheaper.