cutting granite

[Taylortractornut]

I was given a pile of granite scraps 1 inch thick to make some projects out of. I need to square one end of them off it can be a rough cut if need be. I figure someone here would know.

 

[Tomtint]

I believe you can get a blade for a skill saw or cut off saw, score it and then crack it along the score line.

 

[EddieWalker]

When I do remodels and we use granite for the counters, everything is cut and modified on site with a diamond blade in a 4 1/2 inch grinder.

Eddie

 

[s219]

Yep, get a diamond blade for an angle grinder. Makes short work of it.

 

[Egon]

You can also get diamond blades for skill saws. Some blades are wet cut, others are dry cut. They come in many different diameters.

At one inch thick you can make a full cut that is pretty smooth with a continuous rim wet blade.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Don't try to get the cheep ones. I got one at HF and cut about two feet in concrete and it just quit cutting. I pulled out an old one I had in the shop and finished cutting 16 ft with no problems.

 

[jaotguy]

granite blades have a diamond edge ... they wear away quickly when used in cement ( pulled out of the blade)

a serrated blade ( with slots or missing pieces ) are used dry ... the full rim blades are used with water

make sure the blade spins away from you at the bottom when cutting , this pushes the dust / slurry away and in front of you ...

always wear a mask ...

you can cut down in multiple passes ( instead of one deep cut ) .. it is easier on the grinder you use.... use masking tape on the head of the grinder to prevent scratches ....

if you use a circular saw . prop it up on a couple of thin pieces of wood taped to the granite, or you will scratch the granite surface as you push it along ....

you can do a cut, and finish it with a chisel ( like splitting firewood ) if the piece is thick ....


put masking tape on the surface to cut , mark your line, start your cut and draw the grinder towards you ( you get a straighter line ) and you can always see the line you drew ....

 

[woodlandfarms]

I saw a group of guys cutting with a diamond saw, but to keep it cool they used a heavy sponge soaked with water. The pressed it more or less against the blade. Thought it was an interesting way to work with a wet blade without a hose or those issues.

 

[Taylortractornut]

Thanks guys I had a local tell me it had to be cut with a water jet or by a pro with a saw. A friend that owns a granite shop gave me a pile of this stuff. He's been shoving off in a ravine.

 

[firemailwv]

You can cut it with any tile saw - that you would use for porcelain or ceramic tiles

 

[Baby Grand]

Most commercial grade granite has a fairly uniform, fine grain. Traditionally, it was cut similar to the way glass is cut - by scribing and breaking along the scribe line. In the case of granite, the scribe line was made with a flat chisel and hammer. This works for thick sections, but may also work with your 1" thick slabs. Try using a 1/2" chisel and see if you can make a line about 1/16" deep. If you can do this without breaking the stone, then support the larger side on a flat, straight edge and give the overhanging side a good wallop and see what you get. Breaking the stone this way will give you a different, hand made look that you may prefer over the machine cut appearance you get with a saw. Depends on what effect you're trying to achieve.

 

[jaotguy]

Thanks guys I had a local tell me it had to be cut with a water jet or by a pro with a saw. A friend that owns a granite shop gave me a pile of this stuff. He's been shoving off in a ravine.

then ask him if he will cut the pieces for you ... he probably has a big gantry saw ....


or get a small tile saw ($50) in sale ... make multiple passes to cut your stone , ( and flip if needed ) ... when finished , put it in a garage sale for $30 ....


"abrasive jet" makes nice clean cuts and sharp corners , but they have cut granite with diamond blades and grinders for decades ....

if the pieces are big enough , flip them upside down and use them as pavers .... the smooth sides are too slippery when wet ....

stack 'em and make an outdoor fireplace ....

 

[Egon]

Pictures of beach rocks cut on a wet seven inch tile saw. A one inch cut is easily done in one pass.