If you have a granite countertop, you are already aware of its quality and beauty. Can you cut the countertop yourself and if so, what should you use?
Almost any type of saw equipped with the proper diamond blade will be able to cut granite. The top choice, however, is a wet-cut circular saw. It will cut through the granite easily but it will also do so without creating a lot of dust.
Using water with a wet-cut circular saw is important, not only to reduce the mess but also to protect your health.
Like many types of natural stone, granite contains silica. When it is cut, the silica dust can easily get into your lungs, and once silica goes in the lungs, it doesn’t come back out again.
Using a wet-cut circular saw is a great option. Otherwise, you should always wear an N95 respirator to protect your respiratory system.
Disambiguation: Cutting Granite Countertop (this post) vs Cutting Granite
What Can You Use To Cut Granite Countertop?
One of the reasons why granite is so sought-after is because of its beauty. As a natural stone, it is also extremely hard and at times, it can be difficult to cut.
If you are accustomed to cutting man-made stone objects, such as brick or concrete, you might be surprised by how difficult it can be to cut through granite. It can be done, but you need to have the proper setup.
First of all, you need to choose the proper blade. There are many different types of diamond blades available but you need to read the fine print and make sure that the one you use is made specifically for cutting granite.
In addition, you won’t be able to work your way through the granite slab quickly. It is going to take some time, but it will be time well spent once the job is done and it is back to looking beautiful again.
As you will see in this article, there are good options and bad options for cutting granite countertops. Essentially, almost any saw that has the proper blade is going to be able to cut through the granite but not all of them will be the proper choice.
For example, some types of saws may be used for very specific purposes, such as cutting out sink openings. Other saws, such as the wet-cut circular saw that we discussed earlier will be ideal for cutting long, straight cuts.
Let’s take a look at some of the different options and see which will be best for your needs.
Can You Cut Granite Countertop With A Circular Saw?
Is a circular saw the right choice for cutting a granite countertop? What type of circular saw is best?
Using a circular saw is the best way to cut a long, straight cut in a granite countertop. It is even better if you can use a circular saw outfitted with the ability to wet the countertop and blade as it cuts. Use a diamond blade saw blade that is made specifically for cutting granite.
Even with a wet-cut circular saw, it is going to take some time to cut through the granite. You can expect an average cut to take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes or even longer.
That time is to be expected and you shouldn’t rush the cut. Take the time necessary, allow the blade to do the majority of the work and you will be happy with the finished product.
Can You Cut Granite Countertop With A Skill Saw?
A circular saw can be used to cut a granite countertop but can you use a skill saw?
A skill saw is an excellent choice for cutting granite countertops. Essentially, a skill saw is the same thing as a circular saw because the motor is housed behind the blade. The weight of the motor will provide some benefit when cutting through a hard material, like granite. If you can use a skill saw that is also a wet saw, it would be best.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 12, 2022.
You don’t have to use a skill saw specifically but if that is what you have available, it will work very well for cutting the granite. It can cut through the stone and the water will help to keep the dust to a minimum.
Can You Cut Granite Countertop With An Angle Grinder?
Some people like to use their angle grinder to cut granite countertops. Is it a good choice?
An angle grinder is capable of cutting through granite easily if it is outfitted with the proper diamond blade. Although you can use an angle grinder, it is not the best choice because it is difficult to keep the cut as accurate in comparison with using a circular saw.
That isn’t to say that an angle grinder cannot be used. You can use it for cutting small distances, making the back cut, and for polishing the tile edges.
Can You Cut Granite Countertop With A Jigsaw?
A jigsaw is one of the more common and useful tools that we have at home. Can it be used for cutting a granite countertop?
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 12, 2022.
Using a jigsaw outfitted with a diamond blade saw blade makes it possible to cut through granite. Generally speaking, however, you will only be able to cut through a thin piece of material as a thick countertop will likely bog down the jigsaw and keep it from cutting properly.
A jigsaw can be used in some instances, such as cutting out odd shapes for cutouts used with sinks and other items. The use of the jigsaw is limited but with the proper blade, it can work well for small jobs.
Can You Cut Granite Countertop With A Grinder
If you have a grinder, can you use it for cutting a granite countertop?
As long as you use a diamond blade with a hand grinder, it can cut through granite as thick as a countertop. Typically, however, a hand grinder is only used for shorter work or for cutting tile that is thinner. It can work for a thick piece of granite but it is not the best option available.
In addition, using a grinder will often create a lot of dust and that can be hazardous to your health. It’s a much better choice to use a wet-cut circular saw to cut the granite countertop.
How To Cut Granite Countertop Properly
When you are ready to cut your granite countertop, it’s important that you do so properly. Here are the steps you will need to take.
The most important factor for successfully cutting a granite countertop at home is to choose the right tools. Any power saw can work but a wet-cut circular saw is the best option. The water will help to keep the blade cool and will limit some of the possibility of chipping the stone. In addition, the water keeps the dust to a minimum which is good for your home and good for your health.
As far as the blade is concerned, you will want a diamond-cut saw blade that is labeled for use with cutting granite. There may be other diamond saw blades available that are not strong enough for cutting this extremely hard natural stone.
Gather the other items you will need, including your tape measure, safety equipment, shop vac, a marker, and painter’s tape. You should also ensure you have plenty of rags and a 5-gallon bucket or two.
Choose a sturdy bench for cutting the granite and attach the slab using clamps. This will keep the slab from moving while you are cutting it. Be cautious not to place the slab on anything that could topple over.
If you’ve ever heard the expression, measure twice, cut once, it was made for cutting granite. The last thing you want is to make a mistake and ruin the entire slab because of a single mathematical error. Measure carefully then cover the area you will be cutting with painter’s tape.
Painters tape serves a few purposes. It helps to protect the stone from chipping and it also provides a surface that you can mark for the cut. When it comes time to cut the slab, you will cut right through the tape and into the stone.
Before you start any long cuts, make a back cut from the other end. This is important because it keeps the granite from blowing out when you reach that point. The vibrations can result in damage to the stone that is mitigated when you make that first cut.
Take your time and allow the salt to do the majority of the work. If you are using a standard circular saw, you should be wearing all of your PPE, including a respirator. It is much better to use a wet saw to keep the dust down.
After you make your cut, you can remove the tape and vacuum up any small pieces of stone that were leftover using a shop vac. If there is any slurry left over from the wet saw, you can clean it up at this time using a wet rag that is rinsed out frequently.
The best choice for cutting a granite countertop at home is to use a wet-cut circular saw. It is like a standard circular saw but it has a tube that drips water onto the front of the saw blade and keeps the countertop wet. Doing so will make for a cleaner cut and will keep dust to a minimum.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 12, 2022.