If you are building a wall, then chances are that you are building it out of bricks. That said, bricks are not always the right size and shape for every single application. Sometimes you might have to cut a part off of a brick, or sometimes you might need that brick to have a slight angle to it.
Today, we want to talk about how to cut bricks with an angle grinder. We want to figure out if it’s the best tool to use for the job, as well as how to do it.
Is an Angle Grinder the Right Tool for Cutting Bricks?
Whether or not an angle grinder is the best tool to cut bricks is questionable. However, with that said, it is certainly possible to cut bricks using an angle grinder. If we are talking about regular bricks, then you can absolutely use an angle grinder to cut them.
What you need to keep in mind with angle grinders is that you do need the right size of cutting wheel for the job. Some wheels won’t be large enough to cut through a brick in a single pass, which means that you will have to use a hammer to break away the parts that you are trying to cut off. Although this is not the end of the world, having a larger wheel in the first place will make life easier.
Moreover, also keep in mind that you do need the right type of cutting wheel for the job. Generally speaking, a diamond-coated masonry cutting wheel is what you need for this task.
Alternative Ways to Cut Bricks
All that said, an angle grinder might not be the number one best tool for cutting bricks. There are a number of other tools that can be used to cut bricks, some of which may work faster and better:
- One of the most common ways to cut bricks is to use a brick chisel and a hammer. A brick chisel is a special kind of chisel that features a sharp and durable edge that is wide enough to cut through a whole brick at once. All you have to do is to hold the chisel on the brick and then hit it with a hammer. This should split the brick right in half.
- Another way to cut bricks is to use any type of circular saw. This could be a handheld circular saw, a table saw, a miter saw, or even a concrete saw if need be. If using a circular saw, the only thing to keep in mind is that you do need the right kind of blade. Specifically, a diamond masonry blade is what you need for this task.
How to Cut Bricks Using an Angle Grinder
What we want to do right now is to take you through a step-by-step process on how to cut bricks using an angle grinder.
Step 1: Prepare a Work Area (and Yourself)
Keep in mind that cutting bricks with any kind of power tool is going to produce a whole lot of dust and debris, so you want to do this outdoors, and you want to do it away from any open windows or doors.
Moreover, a good setup is to have two sawhorses side by side, with a piece of plywood spanned in the middle between them. This will be your surface for cutting the bricks. A good idea is to also have a non-slip mat set under the bricks, as this will help prevent the bricks from moving as you go to cut them.
Because cutting bricks produces a lot of dust and debris, you do want to wear some kind of dust mask to prevent yourself from inhaling that dust. You definitely want to wear goggles as well, to prevent dust and debris from flying into your eyes.
Step 2: Mark Your Cut
Now, get the first brick that you want to cut, and then use some kind of straight edge, and a pencil or a piece of chalk, to mark a line. Remember that you want to extend this line down the sides of the brick, so you can see where the line is from all sides while making the cut.
Step 3: Prepare the Angle Grinder
Of course, you do need the right kind of blade for the job, so at this point, you want to attach either a 60 grit or an 80 grit masonry blade or diamond cut-off blade to your grinder. Make sure that the blade in question is rated as the right size and speed for the angle grinder in question. Remember that using a disk that is not ideal for the size and speed of your grinder is extremely dangerous.
At this point, you also want to adjust the guard to the optimal position so that it can block you from flying debris.
You also want to do a quick check, which means plugging the angle grinder in and letting the disc spin at maximum speed for around one minute. Here, you are making sure that the disc does not wobble. Once you are sure that the grinder and the disc are in working condition, move on to the next step.
Step 4: Make the Cut
All that is left to do now is turn you to make the cut. Turn the angle grinder on and let it run at full speed, hold it at a 90-degree angle to the brick, and then start making the cut. The blade on your angle grinder should be fast and powerful enough to make the cut without you having to apply much pressure.
You just have to apply a very small amount of pressure to make sure that the disc penetrates the brick, and the angle grinder should then do the rest of the work for you. Just make the cut as you normally would with anything else.
Don’t worry if you cannot complete the cut in one pass, because you can either just make a second cut from the other side, or use a hammer to break off the partially cut brick.
To finish things off, in case there are any uneven surfaces where you made the cut, you can then use the angle grinder to smooth things out.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
Lastly, here are some tips to make the job easier and safer:
- Make sure to always wear the necessary personal protective equipment when cutting bricks with an angle grinder
- Never use dull or damaged cutting discs, as this poses a serious risk of injury
- If you have to apply way too much pressure, then it is likely that your cutting disc is not ideal for the job at hand
Summary
Now that you know how to easily cut bricks with an angle grinder, any brickwork that you do should be much faster and easier.