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What Can You Use To Cut Pavers? (How To)

If you are going to be installing pavers, you are likely going to have to cut some of them down to size. What can you use to cut them?

A power saw can be used to cut pavers cleanly, but you need to use the right type of saw blade in order to do so. Using a saw blade that is made for masonry purposes will easily cut through a paver and leave you with a clean edge. Otherwise, you may be able to use a hammer and chisel.

Tools to cut pavers

Power saws are the preferred method for cutting pavers but there are some things to consider before you jump right in and get started. For example, you have to worry about safety because the dust that is created can be deadly.

This is something that is overlooked by many homeowners because they feel as if they are not being exposed to much of the dust. Any amount of silica dust, however, when it enters the lungs is going to stay there permanently and can eventually lead to disease and death.

That is why it is vitally important that you wear the proper respiratory protection when cutting pavers. Otherwise, you can use water to keep the dust at a minimum or use a hammer and chisel if you are only cutting soft pavers and not very many of them.

What Can You Use To Cut Pavers?

One of the nice things about cutting pavers is the fact that you are not limited to only one type of tool. As a matter of fact, any type of power saw will do a good job of cutting pavers so you can choose the one that is right for your specific needs.

When selecting a power saw, keep in mind that you will have to get a blade that is made for cutting pavers. For this purpose, you will want a diamond masonry blade.

There may also be times in which you need to step up your game and purchase a blade that is even more specific for the task. That is the case when you are cutting natural stone rather than concrete or brick.

Concrete and brick are relatively soft materials. They can be cut using a chisel and hammer and you might find that it is more convenient to use that method if you are only cutting a few of them.

On the other hand, if you are going to be cutting any type of natural stone, you will need a blade that is specific to the purpose. A standard diamond masonry blade is not going to work and you will simply go through the blade too quickly because of the hardness of the stone.

Look at the blade and make sure that it has a label that marks it for the purpose of cutting stone. That will help to minimize the amount of cost you have associated with the project because you will not be using quite as many blades.

As we mentioned above, you would also want to reduce the amount of dust you were creating. This is not only good for safety reasons, but it is also good for the lifespan of the saw blade in many cases.

Using water to knock down the dust is also going to help to keep the blade cool. This will help to increase the lifespan of the blade.

Of course, you would want to make sure that any power saw you are using was able to handle the water. If you simply grabbed a circular saw and started pouring water on it, it wouldn’t last very long.

Something else to consider is that just because you can use any type of power saw with a proper blade does not mean that they are all going to be the best choice. Here are some things to consider to ensure that each type of tool is used in the best way possible.

Can You Cut Pavers With A Circular Saw?

Tools to cut pavers

One of the most common tools that people have at home is a circular saw. Can you use this tool for cutting pavers?

A circular saw can be used for cutting pavers as long as you use a diamond masonry saw blade. Generally speaking, circular saws are only used for short-duration work. If you are putting down a lot of pavers, you may want to rent a larger masonry saw or concrete saw.

One issue that you may face when cutting pavers with a circular saw is the possibility of the paver moving. You may need to clamp down the paver or perhaps cut it in place to keep it from moving.

In addition, you will create a lot of dust with the circular saw because most are not capable of handling the water which would help to keep the dust at a minimum. Make sure that you wear a facemask or better to keep the silica dust out of your respiratory system.

While it certainly is possible to use a circular saw, you are limiting yourself in a number of ways by doing so.

Can You Cut Pavers With A Miter Saw?

Tools to cut pavers

If you have a miter saw or a compound miter saw at your disposal, is this the right tool for cutting pavers?

Miter saws are used by many professionals for cutting pavers. A larger miter saw can be used for standard pavers but even a 10-inch miter saw can be used for smaller pavers. Equipped with a diamond masonry blade, it makes clean cuts at a precise angle.

If you are going to be doing a lot of work with pavers, such as installing a patio or a driveway, it would be good to rent a large miter saw for the purpose.

For concrete or brick pavers, you can use a standard diamond masonry saw blade. For stone, look for a diamond masonry saw blade that is marked specifically for cutting stone.

Having a good miter saw when cutting pavers is going to save you a lot of time and effort. It’s one of the best tools for the job.

Can You Cut Pavers With Angle Grinder?

Worker man thinking

If you have an angle grinder available, can you use it for cutting pavers?

An angle grinder can easily cut through any type of paver if you use the proper diamond saw blade. It gives you more control over the cut, especially if you are cutting small angles or even curves. After you score the paver, you can cut deeper until it is possible to snap it.

Just because you can use a tool for cutting pavers does not necessarily mean it is always going to be the best choice. An angle grinder can be used for small duration work or if you don’t have a miter saw or concrete saw available.

You also need to know how to cut with an angle grinder so that you can do so effectively. It all begins with scoring the paver about 1/8 inch deep.

After you have a line scored, you can make several passes to cut the line deeper until the paver snaps at the line.

At that point, you can use the angle grinder to clean up the center of the paper where the snap occurred.

Can You Cut Pavers With Chisel?

Worker man not sure

Sometimes, it’s best to get back to basics and you might find that it is the best choice when cutting pavers. For that purpose, you can use a hammer and a chisel.

A hammer and chisel is a time-tested method for cutting soft pavers. You would not be able to cut natural stone effectively but if you are using a chisel to cut through concrete or brick, it will work well.

That isn’t to say, however, that you would always want to cut every brick and concrete paver with a chisel and hammer. It is really only done if you don’t have another option or if you are only cutting a few and don’t want to pull out your power saw.

A concrete saw is always going to be the best choice in this regard. Something similar, such as a miter saw can also be used for cutting straight edges at a specific angle.

To simply put it, a hammer and chisel is a good option to have available in your toolbox. It may not be used for every job but it can do a good job if it is the only option you have available.

Can You Cut Pavers With Chop Saw?

Tools to cut pavers

A chop saw is always a good tool to have available because it cuts at a 90° angle very easily. Is this also a tool that can be used for cutting pavers?

You can always use a chop saw for cutting pavers if you also have a diamond masonry blade available. If you are cutting natural stone, make sure it is specific for that purpose. A chop saw can make short work of cutting many small pavers down to size.

A number of things should be kept in mind if you plan on using a chop saw for cutting pavers. First of all, it’s best if you do this with a soft paver, such as concrete or brick. Natural stone tends to be a lot harder and more difficult to cut.

You should also only be using the chop saw to cut at a 90° angle. You can set up a jig and cut at a different angle, but you may find that a compound miter saw works better for this purpose.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 11, 2022.

Finally, a chop saw is going to create a tremendous amount of dust while cutting brick and concrete. That dust contains silica, so make sure you’re wearing the proper respiratory protection to keep from breathing in too much silica dust.

Can You Cut Pavers With Dremel?

Worker man thinking

One of the tools that many people have available is a Dremel. These can be used for a wide variety of purposes around the home but can they be used for cutting pavers?

A higher-quality, heavy-duty Dremel tool can be used for cutting pavers and it is even made specifically for that purpose. The real key to using your Dremel effectively for cutting pavers is to purchase the diamond masonry wheel. Using any other type of blade with the Dremel is going to be counterproductive and you will simply ruin the blade.

One thing that is important to understand is that there are many different types of Dremel tools available. One of the more popular things that most people tend to think of is the hobby tool.

A hobby tool is not heavy-duty, although it can handle a wide variety of tasks. For the purpose of cutting pavers, you will need to purchase a high-quality Dremel tool, such as the Dremel SawMax.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 11, 2022.

If you do have a Dremel SawMax available, you will find that you are using it over and over again for many jobs around the home.

Can You Cut Pavers With Jigsaw?

Worker man thinking

A jigsaw is one of the more common tools that most homeowners have. It is convenient but can it be used for cutting pavers?

You can use a jigsaw to easily cut through stone and concrete pavers using a diamond masonry jigsaw blade. Those jigsaw blades allow you to cut through the paver and you can either cut in straight lines or even curved or unusual shapes. That is what makes a jigsaw a very handy tool to have when you are cutting pavers to fit around obstacles.

There are many different types of saw blades available for a jigsaw and that is one of the most important things to consider so that it works well for you. A diamond masonry jigsaw blade is good for standard cutting of soft pavers, such as concrete and brick.

If you are using natural stone pavers, you will need to buy a specialty jigsaw blade that is listed as being able to cut natural stone. Using the standard jigsaw blade or a diamond jigsaw blade is not going to work and it will simply ruin the blade.

Can You Cut Pavers With Oscillating Tool?

Worker man thinking

If you have an oscillating multi-tool available, you might consider using it for cutting pavers. Is it included as one of the possible uses for this handy tool?

Oscillating tools are good for cutting through pavers, especially soft pavers such as concrete and brick. As long as you are equipping the multi-tool with a diamond masonry blade, it will cut through the paver easily. For any special purpose, such as cutting through natural stone, you will need to get a better blade that is made for that ability.

One of the reasons why oscillating tools are so beneficial for cutting pavers is because they are compact and portable. You can take them almost anywhere so they are easy to pack for the job and you can use them in a pinch.

The blades are also easy to change. You might find that you are using the multi-tool to cut a frame or make a jig and then you can simply snap in the new blade and begin cutting pavers almost immediately.

Since an oscillating tool is probably going to make a considerable amount of dust, you should wear respiratory protection to keep the silica dust out of your lungs.

Can You Cut Pavers With Reciprocating Saw?

Tools to cut pavers

If you have a reciprocating saw available, you already realize how convenient they are. Can that convenience also be extended to cutting masonry pavers?

You can purchase diamond masonry blades for a reciprocating saw and they can easily cut through a paver. They are not the best choice for doing so because they are typically made for cutting a rough edge and for demolition purposes. It can work but it is not going to be the best choice for every job.

One reason why you may want to consider using a reciprocating saw is if you have to get into a tight spot. Unlike many other power saws, such as a circular saw or even a multi-tool, a reciprocal saw can get into a very tight area.

You can cut small sections of pavers very easily using such a saw. It is also possible to cut a fairly clean edge but you must take your time rather than rushing through the job.

Can You Cut Pavers With Table Saw?

Worker man thinking

If you have a table saw available can you use it to cut pavers?

A table saw equipped with a diamond masonry blade can be used for cutting pavers. It can easily cut through brick or concrete and you might find that it is a great tool for the job because it cuts straight lines cleanly.

There are both good and bad associated with using a table saw for this purpose. The good reason is that a table saw cuts quickly and easily. On the other hand, it can also be messy.

Table saws are often used for cutting wood and if you begin to cut masonry, you will find that you are scratching up the tabletop and causing some damage to the saw.

You also find that it creates an incredible amount of dust and it can be both dangerous and annoying. Concrete dust contains silica and once silica gets in your lungs, it never comes back out.

How To Cut Pavers Properly

Man worker Confused

Cutting pavers does not need to be difficult but you do need to use the right method in order to cut them properly.

The best way to cut pavers is using a power saw, such as a concrete saw or miter saw equipped with a diamond masonry blade. Those also easily cut through pavers in straight lines and leave you with a clean edge. Otherwise, you can use a hammer and chisel for soft pavers.

If you are cutting pavers using a power saw, the first step in the process is the blade selection. Cutting through concrete or brick pavers is easy once you have the right blade in place.

A diamond masonry blade is a right choice for cutting any type of paver. If you are cutting stone, however, it must be listed as being able to cut stone. A standard diamond masonry blade is not hard enough.

Always protect your eyes and respiratory system when cutting pavers. When you create a lot of dust cutting concrete, you are making silica dust and that can be harmful or deadly.

In most cases, you will cut through the paver cleanly. The only time you will score and snap the paver is if you are using a smaller tool such as an angle grinder.

You can use any type of power saw for cutting pavers. As long as it is equipped with a diamond masonry blade, it will do a good job. Some saws are better choices, such as a miter saw.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 11, 2022.

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