When you are redoing your driveway, walkway, or fixing floors in your house, you will eventually need an angle grinder if you want to cut through cement pavers.
These stone blocks are not easy to cut with other tools, but the angle grinder can do the job if you follow the proper steps. With that in mind, below, I will go into detail about the steps to take so you can get the job done right the first time.
Is an Angle Grinder the Right Tool for Cutting Pavers?
Well, the short answer is, yes.
An angle grinder is a tough tool that can be used on brick, concrete, and stone, and is often used in construction jobs that require cutting into these types of materials. These tools are lightweight and cordless, which provides portability and ease of use while allowing you to finish hard jobs like building pathways or roads.
However, before I get into any of the other details about this tool, I just want to have a safety reminder about wearing protective gear while using it. Because you are cutting into hard materials, small pieces of the pavement or stone can fly into the air and cause injury if you are not careful.
Now, although an angle grinder is a great tool to use for cutting into concrete pavers, this is not the only option. Circular saws that have a blade specially designed for concrete can get the job done, as well as a chisel and hammer can. But, if you choose a hammer, it will likely take much longer and require you to do more work.
A circular saw is good, but it doesn’t offer the same preciseness as an angle grinder. In fact, with an angle grinder, you will get faster and more precise cuts than any other tool.
How to Cut Pavers Using an Angle Grinder
When you are ready to start your work, you will need to follow certain steps to ensure that the project is done right and that you are protected from injury.
So, here is a list of comprehensive steps to follow that will allow you to stay safe while getting the job done.
Step 1: Get Your Gear
First things first, you need to put on all of your safety gear before you attempt to start working. This is one of the most important parts of working with any power tools, and you don’t want to forget this step.
You should have gloves, hardhat, safety glasses, and earplugs. Alternatively, you could also use noise-cancellation headphones instead.
Step 2: Choose the Proper Angle Grinder
There are different sizes of angle grinders that are designed for different jobs.
So, knowing which size you need for the job you’re going to do is key. If you are working with smaller bricks, then you would use the smaller size, like a 4-1/2-inch one, that doesn’t cut as deep. However, for pavers that are large blocks, you will want to use the larger one to ensure it can cut as deep as you need it.
If you need help with choosing the right angle grinder, make sure to check this article.
Step 3: Choose Your Disc
The disc is the blade that will be slicing through the concrete pavers.
So, you want to make sure that your disc is high-quality and durable. You don’t want it to break after just a few jobs like the cheaper ones. Opting for diamond discs is the best way to go because they are the strongest option available and the most durable.
To learn how to change the blade on your grinder, read this article.
Step 4: Draw Your Cut Line
You will want to have a pencil or chalk on hand for this step. Before you start cutting anything, you want to mark where you will cut the paver. This will be the line that you will follow when you are actually cutting so that you cut in a straight line.
To mark this line, just use your pencil or chalk to draw where you need to cut. Then, stay as close to that line as possible as you are cutting the paver.
Step 5: Set Your Paver for Cutting
You will need to place the paver with the new marked line on a flat surface with the end hanging off the edge. If you have a workbench, then place the paver on the surface with the line that you will cut hanging a little past the edge of the table.
If you don’t have a good surface to do this, then you can use a scrap piece of wood and lean the paver against it with the line hanging over the edge.
Step 6: Execute the Cut
Now that you have your items set up for cutting, you get to use the angle grinder to start the actual cutting process.
First, put one hand on the back end of the paver so that it stays still and doesn’t move out of place. Then, place the angle grinder against the front of the marked line. You can begin cutting there, while still holding the paver, and work your way through the whole line.
Once you get to the end, the cut part of the paver will fall down and you will be left with the size paver you need. Depending on how thick the paver is, you might need to repeat the same cut from the other side.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
If this is your first time cutting pavers with an angle grinder, then there are some mistakes you should be aware of so that you don’t make them and you get your job done smoothly.
The first is that you do not want to put pressure downward when you cut. This will work with a saw, but if you do this with an angle grinder, it may cause the tool to fly backward in your direction. This is dangerous and can be avoided by letting the tool do its job.
Also, if you have one, make sure to put the tools safety guard on. This will protect your hands from the blade if they get too close to it.
Summary
As mentioned in the introduction, an angle grinder is oftentimes the best tool to use for cutting pavers. It’s relatively affordable, portable, and easy to use. It is also, with the right safety precautions, also one of the safer options.