A Guide to Utilizing a Table Saw

Quick answer: the iQ228 is a 7 inch benchtop dry cut tile saw with built-in cyclonic dust collection. It weighs 36 pounds, cuts tile without water, and is the portable little sibling of the larger iQTS244.

Here are the verified specs, an honest note on what kind of saw it actually is, and how it compares to the bigger iQ tile saw.

These figures come from iQ Power Tools’ own product page.

The draw is the integrated cyclonic dust collection paired with the TRU-CUT measurement system: dry cutting with no water, no slurry, and repeatable straight cuts.

It is a tile saw, not a woodworking table saw. iQ calls it a “7 inch Dry Cutting Table Tile Saw”: the “table” describes its benchtop format, and “tile saw” describes the job.

That distinction matters before you buy. A table saw rips lumber with a toothed blade; the iQ228 uses a diamond Q-Drive blade to cut tile and stone. Do not expect it to replace a wood-cutting saw.

What makes it stand out in its own category is the dust. Cutting tile dry normally throws fine silica into the air, but the iQ228 pulls it into an onboard cyclonic vacuum instead, which is why it suits indoor and occupied-site work.

Sid’s stocks two iQ dry cut tile saws. They do the same job at different scales, so the choice comes down to size and portability.

Take the iQ228 if you move between sites and want a one-person carry. Step up to the iQTS244 tile saw if you cut large-format tile all day and the saw lives in one spot.

What Can the iQ228 Cut?

The iQ228 handles ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile, dry, with the diamond blade doing the work the water does on a wet saw. The 1.25 inch depth covers standard tile thicknesses comfortably.

What it is not built for is thick pavers, brick, or block. That heavier hardscape material belongs on a masonry saw, which cuts far deeper. Matching the saw to the material saves both the blade and your time.

Clean cuts come from the fence, not force. Set the TRU-CUT double fence, square the tile, and feed at a steady pace so the blade tracks straight.

Run the dust collection on every cut. Even short cuts throw fine silica, and capture only protects you when it is on; our dust collector guide covers why that dust is worth taking seriously.

Maintenance is light but not optional. Clear dust from the tray after each use, keep the moving parts clean, and check the blade when cuts start to wander or slow. A worn diamond blade is the usual reason a straight fence still gives a rough edge.

Is the iQ228 a table saw or a tile saw?

A tile saw. iQ names it a “7 inch Dry Cutting Table Tile Saw,” where “table” means its benchtop format and “tile saw” means its purpose. It cuts tile and stone with a diamond blade, not lumber, so it does not replace a woodworking table saw.

Does the iQ228 need water?

No. It is a dry cut saw with integrated cyclonic dust collection in place of water. That means no slurry to clean up and no water to manage, which is what makes it practical for indoor and occupied-site work.

How thick can the iQ228 cut?

Its depth of cut is 1.25 inches, with an 18 inch rip capacity using the rolling table and over 24 inches without it, per iQ. That covers standard tile well. For thick pavers or block, use a masonry saw instead.

Is the iQ228 portable?

Yes. At 36 pounds it is a genuine one-person carry, and it sets up on any stable bench or table. That portability is the main reason to choose it over the heavier 93 pound iQTS244.

Sid’s carries the iQ228 Cyclone: see the iQ228 product page for current pricing, or visit us at 6000 Ninth Line in Mississauga to see it cut. Contact us and we will help you choose between the iQ228 and the iQTS244 for the work you do.