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SKIL 3550-02 vs SKIL 3540-02

Product Comparison: SKIL 3550-02 vs SKIL 3540-02

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SKIL 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw

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SKIL 3540-02 Wet Tile Saw

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General Specifications

Brand

Skil

Bosch

Model

3550-02

3540-02

Origin

China

About the Product

Whether you’re updating or renovating, adding tile to your kitchen or bathroom is now easier than ever with the SKIL 7-inch Wet Tile Saw (3550). The saw’s innovative HydroLock System keeps water splash to a minimum so tiles can be cut in the room where they’re being installed. You no longer need to go back and forth to a saw set up in the garage or outside to cut the tiles, so the SKIL tile saw with HydroLock System helps you finish the project faster too! The 3550 works with a 7-inch continuous rim diamond blade, which provides efficient and even cutting. It also comes equipped with a durable rust-resistant aluminum table top and a sliding side extension that can be used to support tiles up to 18 x 18-inch.

With more and more homeowners tackling renovations on their own and looking for quality tools on a budget , the SKIL 3540-02 120-Volt 4.2 Amp 7-inch Wet Tile Saw is perfect to use for replacing or installing various tile floors.

Key Specs

Type

Table Saw

Speed

3600 RPM

Blade Type

Disc

Size & Weight

Height

8.5 in.

10 in.

Width

21 in.

18 in.

Depth

17 in.

14.5 in.

Weight

22 lbs.

17.69 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

SKIL 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw

For what it is I give it 5 stars for price, compact size and design. There are a few quirks with it but over all it is a keeper.
This saw would have gotten 5 stars if not for the small table size and the fact that when cutting glass tile, you get small (~ 1/4") shards left over on the table and right next to the blade.
However, my goal through the years was to have something portable enough to carry down flights of stairs, big enough to cut 12x12 porcelain and glass tile, strong enough to last more than one job, and absolutely non-dripping!
This is a great compact portable tool for the money.
They only issue is that it is light in weight, too light, and found that with a slight push in moves so I had to put some bricks at the back legs to give it some weight.

SKIL 3540-02 Wet Tile Saw

It's not very big in size but it did allow me to complete my bathroom counter top project with ease. I am now looking at other counter tops do in the house and a bathroom floor as well.
I was surprised this little saw worked so well. I wasn't expecting much for the size and price but it did work well.
Spent all last summer with this beauty, can do so much with a small size.
It is a nice small size for storage and to huck around for the project.
Very light weight and fairly tough as it survived a near run over by my car!!

Cutting

Blade Diameter

7 in.

Arbor

0.625 in.

Cutting Angle

Bevel: 45°

Bevel Cut Depth (at 45º)

0.75 in.

1 in.

Bevel Cut Depth (at 90º)

0.75 in.

1.375 in.

What customers say about "Cutting"

SKIL 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw

There's a side extension, which was somewhat useful. The guide locks well and the engraved rulers are accurate and extremely useful. I made about 50 different cuts of all my granite tiles and they were all perfect.
If you want fine cuts with no chips, first thing is to replace the blade. The glass cutting blades are perfect since they are thinner.
Clean cuts and very clean cuts with blue painters tape on tile.
A few complaints would be sometimes if your water is a little dirty it can be difficult to see where the cut is going to be made.
The only other comment is that if you cut with the tile face down it can cause damage to the finish of the tile - leaves metallic color scratches. Could be that I didn't clean off the chips and residue of previous cuts enough.

SKIL 3540-02 Wet Tile Saw

Cut over 400 pieces and corners. It definitely does make a mess, plan accordingly.
Cutting the stone panels was no problem. The thickest stone was 1.25" which is, I believe, a bit thicker than recommended. The cuts were perfect. I did not use the guide because the stone panels are too large (24" by 6").
I did probably 200 cuts on it so far all on the same blade. The only thing you have to keep an eye on is the water level. The water tray is a bit small and I have to fill it up every 20 cuts or so.
Cuts great. good at soaking shirts on a hot day too.
The only issue I had - and this was because of the size of the sheets I was cutting, NOT because of any flaw in the saw itself - was that for most of the cuts I needed to make the included fence and miter gauge were essentially useless.

Features

Dust Collector

LED Light

Cutting Depth Adjustment

Rubber-Coated Handle

D-Shaped Handle

Front Assist Handle

Electric Brake

Extras

HydroLock System™ - innovative upper and lower guard design keeps water contained near the blade (patent pending), Sliding side extension - provides support for tiles up to 18 x 18 In. can be used on left or right side of the saw, Aluminum table top – durable, rust-resistant surface, Adjustable rip fence with miter gauge – for accurate straight and miter cuts

Stainless Steel Tabletop is Resistant to Corrosion, Adjustable Rip Fence with Miter Gauge for Accurate Straight and Miter Cuts, 0-45 Degree Bevel for a Wide Range of Cuts, Blade Cooling Water Reservoir to Keep Blade Cool and Minimize Dust and Debris

What customers say about "Features"

SKIL 3550-02 Wet Tile Saw

The Hydorlock Containment System - nearly brilliant. And this is the reason I bought it instead of using my older saw.
Noise - the motor is not load, but cutting tile can be. For 1/4" ceramic wall tile it was not bad. But for the 3/8" ceramic floor tile, I found that i had to wear nose reducing ear muffs. I suspect this is no different than other tile saws.
The added guard feature on this model really helps to eliminate water splashing. Its also not very big so totally usable but doesn't take up the whole garage.
Just used this saw to install about 26 square feet of 2" x 4" subway tile with a lot of cuts. I like the hydrolock feature. The fence is a little difficult to get square.
Also, some of its feature such as water splash guard are the problem -- The water splash guard makes it impossible to see/line up the tile cut with the blade.

SKIL 3540-02 Wet Tile Saw

The double-fastener rip fence is a bit of a chore to set, because you have to align and fasten each end separately - but once fastened it is extremely stable and will not move for repeated cuts. I did not use the miter gauge, so I can't comment on that feature.
The stainless table was a selling feature for me, however I did not anticipate the way things will "stick" to it when wet.
The bevel feature was very helpful for some of the tricky corners on my three sided fireplace.
The power switch is under a clear rubberized waterproof cover, so have to push pretty hard to turn it on and off, but you get used to it after a little while.
At this price point you know that you are not getting the biggest, most durable, feature-packed saw on the market. But for what it is, it does a great job.

Power

Power Source

Corded

Power Output

5 A

4.2 A