If you are building a patio or driveway and need to cut some pavers, there are a few different tools that you may use.
One of the tools you can use for this job is a circular saw. Today, we’re going to talk about whether or not the circular saw is the right tool for the job, and how to use a circular saw to cut pavers.
Is a Circular Saw the Right Tool for Cutting Pavers?
There are actually many different methods to cut pavers. Some of the preferred methods include using a hammer and chisel, which is perfect if you have a few stones and don’t need a perfect cut. Some people may also use a paving stone splitter, which is great for fast and easy cutting, especially for clean cuts.
Moreover, if you need to achieve an exact angle, you might also use a miter saw. However, a circular saw is also another great option. If you need to make very clean cuts, using a circular saw fitted with a diamond blade is ideal. A diamond blade has more than enough durability and strength to easily cut through stone without chipping or breaking.
How to Cut Pavers Using a Circular Saw
Let’s now go over a step-by-step tutorial on exactly how to use a circular saw to cut pavers.
Step 1: Equip the Right Blade
You must first replace the blade of your circular saw with a diamond cutting blade. This is also known as a diamond masonry blade. Make sure that the bolt is securely attached so that the blade stays in place during use.
Step 2: Adjust the Saw Blade
You now have to adjust the blade of the circular saw so that it cuts at a depth of 1/4”. Do keep in mind that it’s going to take more than 1/4” cut to fully get through a paver.
That said, you don’t want to cut the whole thing at once. If your saw blade goes too deep into the paver, it could cause kicking and binding, so you’ll want to stick with a shallow cut.
Step 3: Measure and Mark
You now need to measure the space in which you want to install the paver. Once you have your measurements, transfer these measurements onto the paver. You are going to use a piece of chalk to draw the lines on the pavers where they need to be cut.
Make sure that you use chalk because it’s very visible and washes away easily. Keep in mind that you do want to mark your paver on both the top and the bottom because you will be cutting from both sides.
Step 4: Wet the Paver
Pavers are going to produce a whole lot of dust when you cut them with a circular saw. To cut down on the amount of dust produced, you want to get that paper very wet.
Therefore, get a large bucket, fill it with water, and then dip the paver in it. Alternatively, you can also just pour a bunch of water onto the paver. If the water washed away some of the chalk marks, now is the time to redo them.
Step 5: Lay Down the Paver and Make the First Cuts
You are now going to lay the paver down on a flat and stable surface that can support the weight of it and the saw. At this point, you are cutting the top of the pavers. Therefore, make sure that the top side of the paver is facing upwards. You are now going to turn on the motor of your circular saw and get it spinning at top speed.
With the saw spinning at top speed, slowly move it down into the paver along one of the lines that you have created in the previous steps. Move the blade very slowly from one side to the other, because moving too fast will not produce a good result. You may have to move the blade back and forth a few times to get the right depth.
Step 6: Flip the Paver and Repeat
You should not have cut all the way through the paver in the previous step. Therefore, you now need to turn the paver onto its other side and repeat this process. Startup your saw, get it to full speed, slowly moving it down into one of the lines you drew, and then again along that line.
Now, depending on exactly how thick the paver is, you might be able to cut all the way through it. That said, the official technique here is to create score lines on both sides around 1/4” deep, and then snap the paver.
Step 7: Make the Final Cut or Snap the Paver
As we said, you do have two options at your disposal here, as you can cut all the way through or snap the paver.
If you plan to cut all the way through, adjust the saw blade depth to 1/2” so it can reach all the way through the centerpiece that has not yet been cut, and then make the final cut just like you made the others.
However, for the best results, you may want to consider snapping the paver. To snap the paver, rest the side that you are going to use on a flat surface, with the portion being cut away hanging off the edge.
You are then going to use a rubber mallet to strike the piece hanging off so that it snaps cleanly. Make sure that the scoreline you have created in the previous steps sits directly over the edge of the table you are resting the paver on. This will allow for a clean snap along that line.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips and Tricks
Lastly, here are some additional tips:
- If you have a lot of pavers that you need to cut, something like a concrete saw will work as well. The benefit of a concrete saw is that it also comes with a water system so that it automatically keeps the stone wet while you are cutting.
- If you are just using a bucket of water to keep the stone wet, you will want to dip the stone in the water before you make every single cut.
- Always make sure to keep safety in mind when using a circular saw to cut pavers, especially with dust flying up into your face. It is recommended that you wear both eye and breathing protection.
Summary
You should now know exactly how to cut papers using a circular saw the right way.