Customer Reviews

MK-370EXP 1-1/4 HP 7-Inch Wet Cutting Tile Saw

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The MK-370K is an excellent value and has been the perfect workhorse for smaller tile jobs of around 300 square feet. The stand included is an added bonus that really adds convenience.
This saw is very loud in addition to having all the normal puddle producing water splash of bigger saws. Because of this, you really can't operate in finished indoor areas or without the recommended hearing protection.
I've used this saw for several months almost exclusively to cut 1/2"X 12" porcelain floor tiles with excellent results. The maximum depth of cut is rated at 1-3/4 inches.
The 7-inch MK Premium Series blade that comes with the saw is a good blade for cutting ceramic tile, but is not intended for continuous cutting of porcelain tile, even though it did a good job with it for quite a while before replacement was necessary. You'll need to upgrade to the better MK Supreme Series or similar blade for this type of work.
The saw has a sturdy plastic water tray that is easy to clean with the aid of a flexible mixing spatula. It doesn't come with a drain plug but you can get the small rubber push-in type from MK or a local Plumbing Supply and install it yourself.
The water pump is a good quality unit made by Little Giant and has an adjustable output. It is easy to disassemble for cleaning and plugs into a receptacle on top of the motor that is controlled by the motor switch. It runs only when you're actually using the machine. I avoid the natural tendency to place the pump filter side down in the tray and instead place it filter side up to keep out tiny tile chips or slurry sediment then occasionally add water to the tray as needed during use to keep the pump intake submerged. Even with the heaviest saw use, it goes all day long without a clog or any reduction of water output.
I have also begun putting a thin coating of Sil-Glyde silicone grease on the table slide rod and rollers once a day to help keep tile grit from binding them during use. This holds up to water splash better and lasts much longer than oil or spray lubes.
Overall, I have been very pleased with this saw. Considering its capabilities and modest cost, I have no problem recommending it to anyone.

The MK 370 saw cuts tile and marble with ease. It is small in size allowing for use in tight spaces or confined areas. If you have ever used a larger more powerful saw, you will notice a difference, but I believe it to be a good saw for smaller tile jobs where a lot of continuous fast cutting is not needed. The saw is a bit loud compared to larger saws with bigger motors. I would recommend this product to either do-it-yourselfers or tile setters looking for a portable reliable saw for smaller residential jobs.

I purchased this saw after my wife created a tile design for a new bathroom that required just about every tile be cut--effectively eliminating the local tool rental shop from consideration. Since then, it's also aided in several room floor tile projects. I've owned many power tools, and I've found the MK 370 to be one of the better ones overall. The motor is sized for the job and delivers consistent, smooth power without excessive vibration at the cutting edge (but do use ear protection-the gearbox is a noisy one). The saw cuts glazed tiles without major chipping so long as a steady and moderate feed rate is maintained. I've had no trouble making precise and accurate cuts. Although the table rollers were misalign out of the box, 2 minutes and 1 wrench fixed this. A small amount of oil applied to the polished glide rod also goes a long way towards ensuring a day of smooth table operation. Working with tiles up to 10 x 10 inches is no problem--despite what the product description says, you can even make many cuts on 13 x 13 inch tiles if you don't mind working with a couple of inches overhang at the blade edge. The only major weakness is the water pump--even though I use a clean water supply, the pump fades with continuous usage and the blade is not always well lubricated. The only way I've found to avoid this problem is to keep the pump at the same level as the saw. If MK would fix this-I'd rate the saw a straight 5 stars for the home user. The stand kit is an excellent companion purchase, as is the variable angle rip guide (the saw comes with only a fixed 90-degree guide).

We're a remodeling crew that installs wall and floor tile. Of our 4 saws the 370exp is by far the worst. My manual cutter cuts straighter and sharper than the MK -- not a selling point for the 370.
Why it stinks (Really! I have nothing good to say about the saw)
1) Place the pump in the base of the pan and it will get clogged within 20 cuts. So, you'll need to have (a) good lungs to manually blow debris out of the siphoning hose (b) clean the pan and put fresh water in it and start cutting again.
2) If your lungs aren't that good you can alway place the pump in a water tray to the side of the pan. However, there is no slack in the siphoning hose to allow you to place the pump externally (which the manual says can be done). It can be done, but you'll see why it's far from optimal upon set up.
3) My little boy can probably cut straighter with a pair of scissors. The rip is off about 1/32 over a 14" tile -- that's beyond pathetic.
4) Shaving a tile is not an option. Blade deflection won't allow you to rip less that 1/2" off -- that's also really pathetic.
5) You need to lubricate the slide arms constantly. You never really have a nice smooth push.
6) The guide is pathetic -- yes, pathetic. When tightening it lifts from the surface due to the dimpled cutting plate texture. Why it's not a smooth surface is a mystery.
7) It's loud. That would easily be acceptable if it weren't such a pathetic saw.
8) I'm not kidding when I say that out hand cutter is a better cutter -- accuracy, clean cut, dependable. We also have a little harry home owner $99 workforce saw that cuts much better -- I lie not. Of course the $1000+ saw outperform it as they should. But as $300 you would expect a little better.

I hate to slam a tool -- I love tools -- but this is a disgrace and MK should be ashamed to manufacture such junk. It's pathetic. For those of you that gave it high marks I'm not sure what's up.

First of all, let me say that for an American-made tool, A LOT of high-value parts say "China" on them. All except for that big "Made in the USA" sticker on the front. I guess maybe the tub was made in the USA, or it was packaged in the USA, but that's about all.

Second, it's an okay tool, but this thing is not all that great. THIS THING COST ME $260 FROM LOWES, AND IF I PAID THE SAME FOR A SMALL TABLE SAW AND GOT THIS PILE OF PARTS I'D BE VERY VERY UPSET.

Slide is fair - Plastic, sits on bushings that don't slide as smooth as you might think.

Blade Fair - My blade lasted about 80 linear feet before I needed to start forcing it a bit and it started breaking tiles. Replaced it with a DeWalt that is doing great after about 250 linear feet.

Pump is poor - This is a FOUNTAIN PUMP. These are made to put into your BIRD BATH. It is prone to plug, and is junk on an expensive tool like this.


I'm not sure I'd buy another MK product. I think it will operate okay, but just don't like how many corners have been cut to produce this tool.

*****
UPDATE 12/29/2005 - The crappy fountain pump failed. This is now a dry saw :-(((( Total tile laid since new = 500 Sq. Ft.
*****

This saw is pretty good for alot of different kinds of tile.Ihave owned one for over 2 yearsand have had no major problems.Igave it three stars because the table has alot of play in it so cutting stright cuts every time is hit or miss,its alot better if you use the stright edge that comes with the unit and push only with your left hand and use your right to hold your tile.I like the table ,because the tile can be put in the middle and not slide,very handy when you are cutting notches.The saw is very noisey so dont get scared when you turn it on.The water pump is the worst part of the saw.I had to start pluging it in ,get it pumping then hook it up to the saw and leave it running until I was through cutting all of my tile.It did help to clean the pump after I was done by putting it in a bucket of clean water and let it run for 15 minutes.The saw was easy to clean and move around.I rip 13 inch tiles all day long with no problem.I probably have over 200 tile jobs on it so far and still plan on many more.I have also just purchased a 660 for the better guides and the quite dc motor cant wait till it gets here.

I bought this saw to do a small job of 650 sq. ft. in a basement for a customer. The price was right and I wanted something light and very portable so I would not have to lug around my big saw. The cut is smooth and the little saw is very efficient and has plenty of water supply with the pump. A recommendation for the pump is keep it on it's side so the filter can pull water and is not trying to pull through sludge. The saw cleans up rather nicely however a drain would be helpful in the pan to empty water but this can be fixed rather easily and inexpensive at a home improvement store with the right parts. I put the saw through the paces and it is a perfect saw for small remodeling projects or for the do-it-yourselfer. A friend of mine who is also a contractor bought the same saw for small jobs and is very happy with his purchase however he wishes he had gotten the stand. Just remember this is an inexpensive saw and will not do everything that a larger [more expensive] saw will. Enjoy the saw I have!

The MK 370 is lightweigt and powerful enough for the average do it your selfer,however the chrome slide rail system must be re-engineered. I find it next to impossible to make accurate or straight cuts while using this saw. I would certainly like to upgrade to the 770k or the 101prok but do not want to experience the same problems.

This is a review of the Workforce THD 850 tile saw that Home Dept sells for $297. It competes directly with the MK-370EXP and looks/works the same with a few exceptions.

I needed a good tile saw to do several jobs and was willing to spend up to $300. I was going to get a MK-370 for about $240, but the vendor (not Amazon) screwed up the order and pissed me off, so I cancelled. At the same time Home Depot did a 10% off sale, so I decided to try their Workforce THD 850.

Like the 370, the 850 has a 7" diamond blade, a grinder motor, and a sled to feed the work into the stationary blade. A small submercible pump floods the blade to cool/clear it. Differences are the 850 has an aluminum table, not plstic, comes with a sturdy support stand (very nice!), and does 45 degree tilt. The able is fitted with an oil port and moves smoothly. The motor is loud, but plenty strong. Construction appears to be (other than motor and blade) pretty much all aluminum and plastic. There is a big drain plug to dump the sturdy plastic tub.

I am almost finished with job one and am very pleased with the saw. The thing is really intellegently designed. My only real criticism is that there is no index mark on the table nearest the operator to mark the blade position. This means on a free-hand cut that you have to eyeball the path of the cut by pre-sighting along the blade. Not a huge deal, but an index nothch would have made it easier. 'Cource you can add an index notch with a file easilly enough.

When I was shopping, I could find basically nothing about this saw and I hope this little review helps the next guy considering its purchase.

I just finished using this saw on a kitchen remodel with 16 inch limestone tiles. Rips fit on the table but for diagonal cuts I had to make a jig to raise the tiles clear of the back push fence and flip the tiles over after cutting them half way or so. Yes this is a loud saw so ear plugs should be worn - we call it "the screamer". The sliding table did bind a bit because of all the weight from those 16 inch tiles hanging off the front but if you push with your left hand and hold the tile with your right it works fine. With reasonable care I was able to get accurate cuts. Later when cutting smaller tiles it performed just as expected and the table slid smoothly and cut accurately. I recomend lubing the rails with silicon grease because it holds up better than the oil provided with the saw. One modification I made lessened the amount of water splatter off the rear mudflap. I replaced the stock mudflap splash guard thingy with a similar sized piece of that green fake grass looking doormat. The force of the water coming off the blade is difused by the stiff hairs of the door mat stuff and does not create as much mist around the back of the saw. I got the idea from these special mudflaps used on tractor trailers and it works great. Next I'm working on an idea to keep water off the rails. After lugging around saws that weigh over a hundred pounds and are no more accurate I really enjoyed using this lightweight alternative. I would recommend it to any one from the DIY'er to pro remodelers like me.