Ask MetaFilter is a question and answer site that covers nearly any question on earth, where members help each other solve problems. Then, go over your cutline a few times, instead of trying to cut through it … If your slate is thin you can use your cutter in one hand while you support your slate with the other. Slate can also be used in a number of craft and home design projects, such as slate tiling. It is to be noted that using jigsaw or hacksaw won't give a straight cut and hence this type of cut … How you cut flagstone depends on the size and design in your project. Cut pieces of slate with a hammer and chisel by chiseling a line across the face of the stone where you want to cut it. Saved by Samantha Jo Lindsey. You’ll want to use a continuous rim blade, which makes a much smoother cut than a serrated blade. The video shows how to properly cut thick porcelain tiles (ceramic tiles with 20 mm thickness) currently used for outdoor installation.There are many ceramics manufacturers, in Italy and abroad, which are supplying the market with this type of products, that we could also call porcelain slabs. How to cut slate tile with a wet saw. It’s much easier to draw and cut a straight line across the bottom side of the slate. While it is an old-fashioned method, it still works. You can do this using the edge of your slate cutter. thanks, it seems like the circular saw + masonry blade isn't totally crazy and I wasn't thinking about the dust problem so now i'll be prepared... Harbor Freight has diamond circular saw blades for ~$8. Wrap the piece of slate with an old towel and hit the piece of slate with a hammer or rubber mallet, depending on how thick the material is. Any type of wet saw, be it a tile saw or a masonry saw, is going to greatly facilitate the process of cutting slate tile, especially for large projects.Cutting slate tile with a circular saw is okay for small jobs in a pinch, as long as you follow the guidelines above, but there are many advantages to using a tile saw instead: :). To cut a tile without a tile cutter, you can use an angle grinder. I have large pieces of 3/4 inch black slate originally from an old pool table. Find the location on the slate slab that you want to cut and use a marker pen or pencil to draw a line across it. Get the measuring tape and measure the floor area of the space where the tiles are supposed to be installed. Step 3 - Cut the paver with the saw Secure the paving slab in the work stand and cut through it with the saw, using your chalk or pencil lines as a guide. Each piece measures about 12" x 18", (1/2" to 3/4" thick) so I would want two 6" x 18" pieces after the cut. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. It’s much easier to draw and cut a straight line across the bottom side of the slate.Mark and cut the top of the slate when using power tools. There are also a few other points to consider when deciding how to cut thick slate. I have about 14 pieces of slate rock that I would like to cut in half. Always cut with the grain, and if your slate varies in thickness, always work from the thickest to the thinnest part to avoid breakages. Slate is relatively soft. Mar 2, 2018 - Explore Jackie Sands's board "Slate - crafts, diys, how to cut", followed by 179 people on Pinterest. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Currently there are very few effective ways to cut thick slate and this machine has provided an effective solution. CONCRETE mark 10 mm bigger OPENING than slate 9 inch grinder or saw cut to line.Tip mark blade depth a few mm deeper than concrete with marker pen with dots on the blade when cutting you will see a black line that's your depth cut past your lines on concrete job done slate oil edge will look great,or find marble granite masons. You can also create custom curves with this method. To cut slate, you need a diamond-tipped cutting wheel for your grinder. Use a masonry saw or water fed masonry saw for larger projects that require accurate cuts for a variety of visual effects, such as a pool deck or patio. All posts copyright their original authors. They usually cut faster and cleaner. Because slate is layered, it's difficult to draw an accurate straight line on it. Join 6,470 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. This material is often associated with chalkboards or drawing tablets, as chalk adheres to slate very well. I'm gobbsmacked at all the helpful stuff from the forum and I cant thank everyone enough. How to Cut Slate With a Jig Saw. 397. Find a tool lending library in your area (Home Depot rents tools, too) and get a circular saw meant for wet cutting (. Most ledgestone has been roughly cut into elongated, vaguely rectangular shapes that are usually between 4 to 7 inches wide, 3 to 6 inches thick and 10 to 24 inches long. Wendy :thumbsup: How to CUT SLATE - How to cut slates Thick or Thin DIY or Trade. Depending on its thickness, you might have to lift the blade and only cut through a little of the paver, then turn it over and repeat. If you’re looking to cut slates by hand, this can be done with a chisel and hammer, but it is important to note that this technique is mostly suited for cutting through thin slates, and may not work on thicker slates. How would you cut make clean, straight cuts in 3/4 inch thick black slate? The material is placed on pads such as wooden blocks or on a flat surface. I sure know where to come every time I get stuck in future. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. I would like to cut out rectangular pieces to inset into the kitchen counter I am building (for myself). Step 1 - Mark the Cutting Line and Mount the Slate Slab. Also since you won't be able to use water it'll make an unholy mess. Ledgestone is a pre-cut, usually rectangular, cultured stone commonly used for decorating fireplaces, ledges, mantels, cladding walls and dry-stacked walls. Always mark your slate prior to cutting it to ensure you are cutting the correct section. Test your wet saw before you use it, either using a scored line or the measuring tool on the machine. Just make a straight line with a pencil and run the slate through holding it steady and moving it slow. See more ideas about slate, slate art, painted slate. Ask MetaFilter is where thousands of life's little questions are answered. The abrasive nature of natural slate tile will wear down the teeth of a jigsaw blade long before you complete a cut through the material. Raw slate can be cut with an ordinary hacksaw, saw, but if the sheet is thick enough, it is better to use an electric one. Alternatively, you can cut slates by hand using a pair of tile cutters or slate … The water keeps the blade from getting to hot. Gently press a chisel along this mark to score out your cutting line. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Take it to a place that sells custom granite countertops, and pay them to cut it. Cutting slate … Get to know about slate cutting, dry cut slate stone, wet cut slate stone, how to cut slate tiles and When cutting stone slabs, it is advisable to use a plywood straight-edge with a guide attached for the… Here you can use a diamond blade in a circular saw, or a bicarbonate blade in a jigsaw, or a hacksaw. Use a chisel to cut the flagstone if the project is small and only requires approximate sizing, such as a garden path. Slate tiles usually arrive from the manufacturer pre-cut to standard sizes. Slate slab installation can be complicated and as slate slabs come in all sorts of irregular sizes and shapes, it is often necessary to cut them to fit. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This may look fine in a closed valley or mitered hip, but not an open valley or rake. Customize pieces with a hammer and chisel. Cutting Slate with a Wet Saw Using a pencil or grease marker and a straight edge, mark out the line where you’d like to cut along the underside of your roof slate. THANK YOU EVERYBODY WHO HAS REPLIED TO ME. This electrical unit was designed to cut thicker slate up to ¾”. I guess i was wondering whether a circular saw with the standard masonry blade could do in place of an industrial tile saw. How to Cut Slate Roof Tiles. Types of Cuts in Slate Stone Cutting Dry Cut One method of cutting slate stone is the dry cut method. How to cut slate tiles by hand. Break the slate up into manageable pieces for your project. It takes some skill and cutting a straight line is not easy. Accurately, taking into account the thickness of the diamond wheel, mark the cut line with a tape measure. You can use a circular saw to do this, but it might well ruin the saw, from the dust and the wear. Snap the piece of stone along that line, and the stone will break where you scored it. A circular saw (using a fence of course) with a masonry or diamond blade would handle it with no problem. You may just have to have someone experienced cut them, but a wet saw is your best bet. BTW, You don't have to go diamond (they are usually more expensive). If you have a job that is using 3/8”+ slate and there are hundreds of feet of valley cuts, think how tedious a … This will help you I live in Blackpool on Newton Drive. Will I need to rent a wet saw / tile cutter, or is this too thick for that? If you have a steady hand you can do it. If a mallet will not suffice due to stone thickness, switch over. The wet saw we used at the time in Cornwall (1984) was provided by a roofer who specialized in renovating old slate roofs, and somehow connected to Delabole - I remember because I did all the phoning around, large table, large wheel, very noisy, but it did work in one cut, slate being around the same thickness and more even, still have a corner piece in the garden now as a low table … Use appropriate tools to get a perfectly straight line if required. Slate Art Slate Rock Slate Shingles Painted Slate Painted Stones Slate Signs Wood Signs Fibreglass Roof Tile Crafts. In this video, I show you how to cut a stone paver with a chisel. I might buy a cheap ryobi for the task. How would you cut make clean, straight cuts in 3/4 inch thick black slate? Slate is used for many purposes. Everyone mentioned a tile saw, however, the most important part is the blade. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Edited 1 time What a great excuse to rent a concrete chainsaw, and fashion a simple rip fence from some random lumber and clamps. Thicker slate may require you to use both hands. You'd have major dust though. Often a project may call for drilling holes into slate. Secure your tile to a workbench with a C-clamp. When cutting slate manually with a hammer and chisel or a handheld slate cutter, flip it over and cut along the flat underside of the tiles. Flip the slate over when manually cutting the slate. Whether you need a few cuts or many, we've got two methods for how to cut pavers as well as guidance to help you choose the best approach for your project. The sharp edge that the saw leaves can create an undesirable look as the slates lay atop each other. Cutting slate with a wet saw is generally viewed as an aesthetic mistake. Method 1 of 4: Marking the Slate and Preparing to CutFlip the slate over when manually cutting the slate. 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