Shopsmith Forums

When I cut my patio stone panels which were 24 x 24 and 2" thick I used a wet saw with a diamond blade, it was very easy. You make sure that you have your pan filled with water, keep checking it and wear something waterproof it spits a lot on to your hands and pants, and use the guide to move the stone through the blade. If you can cut wood you can cut the stone. Just buy a cheap wet saw. Incidentally I also used the same saw for cutting porcelain tiles for my kitchen and hallway it has paid for itself many times over.

I used to do a lot of lapidary work, and would never even consider cutting stone dry. There's way to much heat generated, and even diamond sintered blades require water or coolant of some form. The dust from dry cutting with get into your lungs and eventually kill you, so wear a face mask even wet cutting, or do it under a protective hood like slabbing saws have. The cheap HF tile saws will work if they have a long enough cutting stroke, but don't rush the cuts. I'd try finding a counter top maker who uses granite, and ask if they'd cut it for a fee. A nice one might even do it for free.

The HF 7" wet saw no longer comes with a blade in this area. Saw is $60 and blade is $20.
I've got a project starting this weekend that includes 12x12 marble tile flooring. I'm looking at the Skil wet saw at Lowes. It's a few dollars more, but from reading the reviews seems to be well worth the price difference. If you only do one tiling project, one of these will pay for itself.
I agree with everyone else. Dry cutting is asking for misery. Wet cutting is the way to go. And if this is a one-off project, getting someone in the business to cut a few tiles and be done with it is worth the costs (if reasonable).
A grinder with a diamond blade is the way to go to cut odd shapes (like for the toilet flange during this weekend's project).