Splitting Belgian Pavers

robertm · May 23, 2019

Has anyone used a landscape block splitter to split Belgian pavers with success? The concern is taking a 6 inch by 9 inch paver 2 and a quarter inches thick and splitting it on each end to make trapezoid shaped pieces to make them fit a radius. Basically, I’d be splitting a wedge off each end, about 2 inches wide to nothing, and the thickness of the block. I could rent a wet-saw, but if the splitter works, it’d take a quarter of the time.
Thanks.

HillStreet · May 23, 2019

You might use a 2 inch tracing chisel. About $90 at a masonry store but worth the money.

KennyG · May 24, 2019

I have scored both sides with an abrasive blade on a circular saw and split with a wide masonry chisel. Goes pretty fast.

oosik · May 24, 2019

My son has true basaltic lava "blocks". They are 7" x 10" x 5" to 6" thick. I used an abrasive blade on my worm drive saw to score them. Then a splitting chisel to complete the job. End up with two pieces - 7" x 10" x ~ 3" thick.

Kind of a long, involved process but ended up with enough pieces to make a fairly large back yard patio area.

The "blocks" were originally used as road pavers. No need for that heavy a block to just make a back yard patio.

Ford850 · May 24, 2019

Depending on how many you need, you might get by with some rough split pavers but they probably won't fit together well and will be noticeable when trying to repeat the same shape. If you have a larger area to do, you cant beat the precision and speed of a large wet miter saw with diamond blade. The one I used had a nice Honda engine, and although it was really beat up it performed beautifully. Perfect smooth cuts every time.

polo1665 · May 26, 2019

KennyG said:
I have scored both sides with an abrasive blade on a circular saw and split with a wide masonry chisel. Goes pretty fast.

This is how I'd do it as well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...k-Diamond-Circular-Saw-Blade-DW4702/202248584

farmalldx33 · Jun 2, 2019

Sounds like you should start with a circle kit to make a radius. However, I'm going to guess that you already have the pavers and want to make them work.

I have used a block splitter for years and it does a pretty good job. Sometimes you get a block that won't split straight and you end up with a piece that needs ground down with a masonry grinding cup.

DuckSlayer1017 · Jun 2, 2019

Put a diamond blade on a 7” grinder, not as nice as a wet saw but a lot less money. If you are brave/stupid like my uncle that is a master mason you use a 10” blade on a 7” grinder with no guard so you can cut thicker.