The best type of dust mask is a half-mask respirator with P100 filters. 3M, AoSafety, etc. make them. Cheap paper dust masks don't do much because they don't seal to your face. Silicosis is when silica particles (rock dust) get into your lungs and cause scarring. Scars don't work very well as lung tissue.
Very good - short video, that shows everything. I would only add that scratches can be avoided by using tape between the bottom of the saw, and the stone. Well done. I am subscribing right now. You just saved me around $1500 with this lesson :-)
I cut granite slabs when I did my kitchen. Used a hosepipe, but put a plastic bag around the motor of the circular saw and wore rubber gloves. Saw was plugged into a GFCI outlet.
Hi! This is Thrifty Tani. If my video helped you, You would help me a great deal if you clicked on the subscribe button. RUclips rules have recently changed making subscribers essential to keeping my videos and channel alive. Thank you!
just did this today..2.5 inch by 44 inch on quartz..16 dollar diamond turbo blade from home depot..thanks for information and confidence...greatly appreciated
Here are the best prices for the tools I used in the video (or similar). 1. Diamond Blade by Dewalt on Amazon: $14.49: amzn.to/3kp6RBH Home depot sells a similar blade for $14.97. 2. Circular Saw by Ryobi at Home Depot for $39.97. Circular Saw by Skil (similar to what I used, but more powerful) on Amazon $52.99: amzn.to/2zditjD Thanks for Watching, Thrifty Tani
Hi! I can’t recommend you go against the instruction manual, but I used a skil saw which I’m sure is grossly similar in design and had no problems. I’m guessing ryobi doesn’t want people cutting slabs of concrete which can require the motor to run for long periods of time, under heavy load which can damage the motor.
Okay, so I went ahead and used the Ryobi on granite and it didn't explode. Like you said, I can't recommend anyone going against manufacturer's warnings, but It did the job for me.
It didn’t make the cut nicer, just reduced the dust significantly. The very last few mm of the cut May chip when the piece drops. So supporting both pieces is important. And push the saw slowly to minimize any potential chipping.
How do you cut this type of material and end up with a nice flat surface for joining another piece of the same stuff? My cuts keep coming up with an slight angle on the cut. I've used two different saws and get the same results! Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I have a old quartz island thats 80x39.. I need to cut 68.5 x 26 out of it .. any suggestions? 2 blades? Should i cut across the the whole thing at 26 inchs and then cut it at 68.5??
Is there a minimum amount of material you can cut? I have a piece of granite that would need just 0.5 inches taken off both ends. Will the small cut cause more chipping in the granite?
My husband will be cutting 2" thick marble. All straight lines but one piece will be for a corner cabinet. How should he do a right angle without cutting beyond the angled corner. Thank you
how do you make the edges of the counter top look nice ? How do you sand the edges ? Did you double up the edges and sand them to make the counter top look thicker ? Thanks.
Hey Chris, I used granite diamond polishing pads from Amazon to do the edges with a variable speed polishing machine from harbor freight. To make the edge thicker, I cut a strip of material just like I did in the video and then cut it down to size with an angle grinder with a diamond blade. Then epoxy it to the edge, then polish with the diamond pads. I will post a video on how I did it within the next couple of weeks.
Hi Chris! I just posted a video on how I doubled up the edge to make it look thicker (called a laminated edge). I made a square eased edge, and also a bullnose edge in the video. Sorry for the really long wait! I'm working on the next video on how to polish the completed edges. I should be done in a few days.
Thanks great video the thing looks easy. One question: at 0:28 there is a small dent in the stone that you did prior to using the saw. I suppose this is to avoid chipping correct? But how did you do it? With a grinder, with tape on, without? Thx
I’m sure it will cut, but it may require a recharge on your battery to cut the entire slab. It doesn’t require a lot of torque, since the blade cuts slowly.
Thank you for the video. I have to Cut a quarter inch off of a marble countertop on the edge. approximately 2 feet of a cut, do I have to take the countertop off or can I keep it on?
You’ll be able to cut the slab dry, just take it slow to prevent heat damage to your blade. But I wouldn’t do it in a residential neighborhood. You’ll have more dust then you’d expect, which your neighbors won’t appreciate. And of course use a respirator.
Any idea how to make a caesar stone hole smaller to accommodate a smaller sink? Previous sink was about 1150 long. New sink is more like 800 mm long and also the lip framing the whole sink is a little narrower - too narrow for a good fit in the hole. Thank you. 🙏🏼🤪👍🏼
How much length does the bull nose come out from the front of cabinet ? What is the standard? And do you butt up the cabinet to the corner walls or there is a small gap to leave room for counter top ?? THANKS AN GREAT 👍🏻 JOB!!
Hey o Flores! Standard is about 1”. Yes, butt the cabinet to the wall. You may need to notch the bottom of your cabinet around the baseboard to get it flush against the wall. Your countertop should also be flush against the wall. If your countertop isn’t perfectly flush against the wall, don’t worry. Your backsplash will be placed over it and no one know the difference. But be careful to keep the visible ends of the countertop perfectly flush to the wall so it’ll look perfect.
How well do you think this technique would hold up cutting Carrara Marble Tile for a bathroom floor. Its much thinner than the countertops in your video. Would I risk snapping or chipping. Is this technique better for thicker pieces or perhaps just as easy?
I haven’t done it with thin tile, but I’m certain it’ll crack using my videos technique. You need to polish the edge with each tile even if you do manage to cut each tile nicely. Check out a scoring cutter. It’s a $20 tool from Lowe’s called a blue hawk snap cutter. It you basically score the tile with a carbide wheel and then using a lever, it snaps the tile along the line. Just make sure your marble is thin enough to fit in the cutter. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s the fastest way to cut your tile. You can use a wet tile cutting saw. It’s a slower/messier technique, but a lot of folks use it. The saw is also more expensive.
Yeah, I saw it on Lowe's and Home Depot's website but I thought those were only for ceramic and porcelain. I kept trying to find reviews for those from people using stones like quartz or marble or granite but no such luck. The tiles are "Arabescato Carrara Honed Marble" Grade 1, natural marble mosaic for floor, wall and countertop use 6 inch width x 12 inch length x 0.38 inch thick. You think a scoring cutter with the carbide wheel and pressure snapper would do the trick? They are a bit more here across the northern border. Cheapest I saw was $39.95 and 69.95 for a QEP. We certainly get gouged in pricing compared to our Amercian neighbours
Wow, that is expensive! Under the description for the blue hawk, it says it’ll work on natural stone. I’m pretty sure it’ll work. You could test it out on a piece and return the cutter if you don’t like it. When I used it, I completely cracked the first couple tiles, so it takes some practice. But once you get going, it’s quick.
If you have a ogee edge on granite vanity top, is it better to start cut into the edge on the front or start cutting on the wall side (back) and finish in the front. I bought a 60” prefabricated top with the sink already installed and I need to cut approx 1.5” off the side so it will fit between two walls. Of course using the techniques and tools used in video. Excellent video, I am sure that it has helped many people and saved them lots of money.
Hi Amber! I’d start the cut on the front and finish on the back. The last few millimeters of your cut can chip when your excess drops off, so you’ll want this potentially rough cut hidden by the wall or backsplash. Since you’re cutting 1.5” off, I’d start with a practice cut at 3/4” to get a feel for cutting granite. When you make your actual cut at 1.5”, you’ll be confident that you’ll make a great cut!
I followed your instructions about cutting granite and it worked like a charm. Now vanity top #2 to cut. It is a engineered quartz top that I will be cutting down from 49” to the 39” top that will be installed between two walls. I am also planning to get my side splashes off of each side that I cut off since the two side edges are polished. My question is that I noticed that you cut quartz top right side up like I did the granite. Do I cut it the same as the granite top? Cut it right side up, from front to the wall so if it chips it will be hid behind backsplashes? Anything special I need to do or know? Thank you for your time
Awesome! Glad the project worked out well. Cut the quartz the same way as the granite and it’ll turn out great! Quartz doesn’t chip as much as natural stone. In fact I didn’t have a single chip with my project. Excellent idea with cutting both edges off for the backsplash to save on polishing.
Anthony Santillo, good question! I had no issues cutting with the blade turned the correct way, i had no chips. If you are having issues with chipping I’d use the wet cutting technique and push the saw slowly so each tooth of the blade take smaller “bites” of the material instead of larger bites that can result in chips. A reversed blade will naturally cut slower. If you’re cutting quartz, it’s mostly made of plastic resin, so a chip would be rare so I wouldn’t reverse the blade at all. Granite and marble come if different densities and hardness so one person may not have chips and another will. If you have excess material, I would do a practice/test cut to hone your skills and see how your cut looks. If you're placing the cut edge against a wall with a backsplash over it, I wouldn't even worry...you won't see it. If it's an exposed edge, you'll wan't to polish it with diamond pads later on anyways, so tiny chips or roughness won't be an issue.
If you are having chipping problems even with the blade reversed, try a smooth rimed diamond blade: amzn.to/2A8UrWI .It has no "teeth" like the turbo rimed blade does and will cut slower, but it would be the best bet to solve chipping issues.
If you have a ogee edge on granite vanity top, is it better to start cut into the edge on the front or start cutting on the wall side (back) and finish in the front. I bought a 60” prefabricated top with the sink already installed and I need to cut approx 1.5” off the side so it will fit between two walls. Of course using the techniques and tools used in video. Excellent video, I am sure that it has helped many people and saved them lots of money.
I’d cut right side up and be careful to not let ur cut off piece drop at the last few mm of your cut, which can cause a chip. But if you’re worried about a rough edge, you can always polish it. My other video shows you how.
Hows it going? Any turbo rim diamond blade should do a good job cutting granite/quartz/marble. I used a cheap, generic, diamond blade in the video, and it worked really well.
Thrifty Tani okay thanks for the advice I ended up using an MK and another generic brand needed to use two 7-inch to open bigger my granite countertop for receiving a new cooktop. By the grace of God the project went well.
I have a piece of Silestone that is glued to the original plaster wall for the backsplash behind the cooktop. When we renovated the kitchen we had the Silestone custom cut to fit the microwave. Now the new microwaves are about 1.5 inches bigger. Is it possible to cut 1.5x30 inch piece out of the Silestone while it is glued to the wall?
Hey Rusty, Yes you can. If the sides of your backsplash isn’t abutted to anything (eg: a corner of a wall), you can use an angle grinder with a diamond blade (see my video on how to cut out a sink hole) and a someone holding a vacuum cleaner hose next to the cutting edge of the blade to minimize the dust. Tape your proposed cut line with painters tape or masking tape. Use a straight edge to mark your cut line on the tape with a pen or pencil. Then make your cut. I’d practice cutting with some scrap silestone if you have some laying around. Your edge may look rough if you don’t cut with a steady hand. Once you make your cut, you need to pry the cut off piece from the wall, it’s probably attached with adhesive. If you make a hole, you can patch it. Or if you don’t care about it since the microwave will be covering the area you can leave it as is.
It gets tricky to cut when you have the side of the backsplash abutted to a wall. If it’s just dry wall, you can cut into it to complete the cut, then patch the hole.
I have a travertine marble vanity top that is 1" too deep for my new vanity base and wall. Can I use my circular saw to cut it like you demonstrate? Are there any specific recommendations for what to use to ensure it doesn't chip or crack? The top is about 1.5" thick and is 36.5" long.
Adam Juechter, hows it going? So your vanity is sticking out too much and you’d like to cut off 1”? I’d tape off the cut line with tape and use a smooth rimmed diamond blade that has no “teeth” if you’re worried about chips. If you’re going to have a backsplash installed I’d cut off the 1” on the side of the countertop that will be next to the wall and place a backsplash over it so no one will see the cut edge. No polishing necessary!
Thank you, so no need for water while cutting? Would you recommend cutting the top of the vanity or from the bottom? The edge being cut will be against the wall, however, we have a multi-stone cover on the wall halfway up so can't attached a backsplash (it won't adhere to the wall). Given that, would I need to polish it with a tool or just smooth the visible edge with sandpaper?
No problem! I’d definitely use water, it’ll help prevent chips. I’d cut the slab right side up. At the last few mm of your cut, the cutoff piece will drop off and create a chip if it’s not held in place with clamps. If it does chip, it’ll be on the bottom of the slab against the wall where you won’t see it. If you’re using caulk between the back wall and your countertop, that should be enough to hide the rough edge. But I’d ensure your back wall is straight. If your wall and the edge of the countertop aren’t identically straight, you’ll have noticeable uneven gaps. If a backsplash were possible it would require less precision. And of course cut slowly.
Hi, the diamond blade is the same size as a standard wood cutting blade. Most circular saws in the USA use a 5/8” arbor, which translates to 15.8mm. But if you can find a diamond blade in South Africa, I’m sure it’ll fit a standard circular saw there.
I have a small piece of marble countertop that I want to square up, I have been told by more than one person that there is a good chance that the stone will crack. approximate size is 18x24. cutting this way dry, how likely is it that it will turn out .
Hi Benjamin Aderman! , is the countertop already installed in your home? If it is, dry cutting will create a big dusty mess. I recommend finding a piece of scrap marble tile or buy a a new one for a few bucks and practice cutting. Technique is important and it'll be a great skill to learn. An 4.5" angle grinder with a diamond blade would be better if you're doing small cuts that are angular, or if you want to slowly shave off the area to be removed. The video shows Engineered Quartz which is much less prone to chipping since it has a resins to bind the Quartz.
I have a 17×22nd inch cutoff that was given to me. I am planning on cutting it to 16 inches square and using it for the center of a cherry end table. I was told by a few friends that my chances of it breaking are high. Never worked with stone before.
Benjamin Aderman, the most likely time you will chip the marble is during the last few mm of your cut when your cutoff piece drops off. You can prevent this by supporting your entire piece of marble with a flat piece of material such as styrofoam. Also you can use a multiple pass technique where you start with a shallow cut and then cut deeper and deeper. Since you'll have such a large cut off piece that you won't need, i'd practice cutting off an inch or so of material and see how you do. If you like the result, then move on to your actual cut. Practice makes perfect!
Benjamin Aderman , in your case, id definitely give it a shot. Your piece of marble is for a small inexpensive project. If you're like me, I figure you'll spend a few bucks on the blade, but in the future, could save you and your friends hundreds with your experience. If you were cutting an installed slab of stone, which could cost hundreds to repair, I'd probably think twice before doing it.
Hi Christopher, Physically mineral oil would work, but you’d need a continuous flow of it. Or a way to contain it so it’ll stay on your cutting edge. The centrifugal force of the blade would fling the oil into a mist and it’ll cover everything in the area. Interesting idea though!
The safe kind of oil to use if you will be breathing any of the mist is sold as air-tool oil. Castor oil, I think. If you are going to have oil in your lungs, best if it's a type that your body can break down.
@@thriftytani46 i try to cut some very nice quartz stones i found but they are sooo hard that it broke 2 stone cutting disks..and i cut less than half..i need your help on a heavy use disc because i found a lot but this kind of quartz seems to be a lot harder that other ones i found before..thanks for the fast respond..is that turbo diamond blade of yours the fix?
Quartz crystal is just slightly less hard then a diamond, so a diamond blade will cut it, but it’ll take a while. Using a vice to hold it steady would help. It must be a beautiful looking crystal!
so you risked getting shocked to death to save $50? just buy a $60 wet tile saw that comes with the diamond coated blade that wont' make any dust and think of it as good life insurance.
it can be done safer with a buddy lightly spraying the blade so you aren't drenched. you have to realize us DIY types and construction in general has improvising involved. you can't cut slabs this size with a micro wet table saw
The best type of dust mask is a half-mask respirator with P100 filters. 3M, AoSafety, etc. make them. Cheap paper dust masks don't do much because they don't seal to your face.
Silicosis is when silica particles (rock dust) get into your lungs and cause scarring. Scars don't work very well as lung tissue.
Very good - short video, that shows everything. I would only add that scratches can be avoided by using tape between the bottom of the saw, and the stone. Well done. I am subscribing right now. You just saved me around $1500 with this lesson :-)
Thanks Philip!
I cut granite slabs when I did my kitchen. Used a hosepipe, but put a plastic bag around the motor of the circular saw and wore rubber gloves. Saw was plugged into a GFCI outlet.
Thanks for this tuitorial!! I bought the blade you suggested for $15. A lot easier than i thought! Turned put great!!
This is a great example of a very informative video short but everything everything you need to know it’s there. Thanks 👍👍
Hi! This is Thrifty Tani. If my video helped you, You would help me a great deal if you clicked on the subscribe button. RUclips rules have recently changed making subscribers essential to keeping my videos and channel alive. Thank you!
just did this today..2.5 inch by 44 inch on quartz..16 dollar diamond turbo blade from home depot..thanks for information and confidence...greatly appreciated
Nice! You must have saved a bunch of $$$
This and your polishing video were what I needed to know. Thank you!
The best video I've seen so far. Thank you!
Thank you!
Here are the best prices for the tools I used in the video (or similar).
1. Diamond Blade by Dewalt on Amazon: $14.49: amzn.to/3kp6RBH
Home depot sells a similar blade for $14.97.
2. Circular Saw by Ryobi at Home Depot for $39.97.
Circular Saw by Skil (similar to what I used, but more powerful) on Amazon $52.99: amzn.to/2zditjD
Thanks for Watching,
Thrifty Tani
I bought the $40 Ryobi saw from Home Depot, but it specifically says to not use masonry blades with it, only wood blades.
Hi! I can’t recommend you go against the instruction manual, but I used a skil saw which I’m sure is grossly similar in design and had no problems. I’m guessing ryobi doesn’t want people cutting slabs of concrete which can require the motor to run for long periods of time, under heavy load which can damage the motor.
Okay, so I went ahead and used the Ryobi on granite and it didn't explode. Like you said, I can't recommend anyone going against manufacturer's warnings, but It did the job for me.
Thank you for taking the time to share!
Expect the bearings to have a shortened life as well; water and rock dust are not bearing-friendly.
For a narrow piece, like a sidesplash or backsplash, do you think a miter saw could work, or would it not be slow enough?
That would be fine for a cross cut, you just need to buy a diamond blade for your miter saw. You'll get a very clean cut with a miter saw.
So did adding the water make the cut nicer ? Or just less dust? Also was there chipping or was it cut perfectly?
It didn’t make the cut nicer, just reduced the dust significantly. The very last few mm of the cut May chip when the piece drops. So supporting both pieces is important. And push the saw slowly to minimize any potential chipping.
This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you
You’re welcome!
How do you cut this type of material and end up with a nice flat surface for joining another piece of the same stuff? My cuts keep coming up with an slight angle on the cut. I've used two different saws and get the same results! Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I use the posher with the coarsest grit polishing pad to fine tune the edges to make it fit perfectly.
The only question that didn’t get answered for me is, do you cut from the finished side or the rough side?
did you ever find an answer?
I have a old quartz island thats 80x39.. I need to cut 68.5 x 26 out of it .. any suggestions? 2 blades? Should i cut across the the whole thing at 26 inchs and then cut it at 68.5??
Is there a minimum amount of material you can cut? I have a piece of granite that would need just 0.5 inches taken off both ends. Will the small cut cause more chipping in the granite?
Hi Kurt! Cutting 1/2” should be fine. I’ve cut less then that with no problem.
My husband will be cutting 2" thick marble. All straight lines but one piece will be for a corner cabinet. How should he do a right angle without cutting beyond the angled corner. Thank you
how do you make the edges of the counter top look nice ? How do you sand the edges ? Did you double up the edges and sand them to make the counter top look thicker ? Thanks.
Hey Chris, I used granite diamond polishing pads from Amazon to do the edges with a variable speed polishing machine from harbor freight. To make the edge thicker, I cut a strip of material just like I did in the video and then cut it down to size with an angle grinder with a diamond blade. Then epoxy it to the edge, then polish with the diamond pads. I will post a video on how I did it within the next couple of weeks.
Hi Chris! I just posted a video on how I doubled up the edge to make it look thicker (called a laminated edge). I made a square eased edge, and also a bullnose edge in the video. Sorry for the really long wait! I'm working on the next video on how to polish the completed edges. I should be done in a few days.
Thanks great video the thing looks easy. One question: at 0:28 there is a small dent in the stone that you did prior to using the saw. I suppose this is to avoid chipping correct? But how did you do it? With a grinder, with tape on, without? Thx
Can I cut it with. Cordless skill saw 60v dewalt ??
I’m sure it will cut, but it may require a recharge on your battery to cut the entire slab. It doesn’t require a lot of torque, since the blade cuts slowly.
@@thriftytani46 thanks that’s all I needed to know thanks for replying
Thank you for a good demonstration and explanations.
Thank you for the video. I have to Cut a quarter inch off of a marble countertop on the edge. approximately 2 feet of a cut, do I have to take the countertop off or can I keep it on?
Thanks for making the video
Do I HAVE to use water? I’m only using one cut on a sink top I’m going about 24” distance?
You’ll be able to cut the slab dry, just take it slow to prevent heat damage to your blade. But I wouldn’t do it in a residential neighborhood. You’ll have more dust then you’d expect, which your neighbors won’t appreciate. And of course use a respirator.
@@thriftytani46 could I just do this outside?
Or I’ll pay you to come to KS and cut it bc I cannot find anyone to do it!!!
Thank you man I needed this ...your very reassuring words and great video edits gave me confidence to take on the same project
Awesome, thanks for the help...
Any idea how to make a caesar stone hole smaller to accommodate a smaller sink?
Previous sink was about 1150 long. New sink is more like 800 mm long and also the lip framing the whole sink is a little narrower - too narrow for a good fit in the hole.
Thank you. 🙏🏼🤪👍🏼
How do you polish the sides
Hey Daniel, check out my video on polishing.
Thank you
Thanks helped out lots
Thanks, Anthony!
II am confident I can do this
How much length does the bull nose come out from the front of cabinet ?
What is the standard?
And do you butt up the cabinet to the corner walls or there is a small gap to leave room for counter top ??
THANKS AN GREAT 👍🏻 JOB!!
Hey o Flores! Standard is about 1”. Yes, butt the cabinet to the wall. You may need to notch the bottom of your cabinet around the baseboard to get it flush against the wall. Your countertop should also be flush against the wall. If your countertop isn’t perfectly flush against the wall, don’t worry. Your backsplash will be placed over it and no one know the difference. But be careful to keep the visible ends of the countertop perfectly flush to the wall so it’ll look perfect.
How well do you think this technique would hold up cutting Carrara Marble Tile for a bathroom floor. Its much thinner than the countertops in your video. Would I risk snapping or chipping. Is this technique better for thicker pieces or perhaps just as easy?
I haven’t done it with thin tile, but I’m certain it’ll crack using my videos technique. You need to polish the edge with each tile even if you do manage to cut each tile nicely. Check out a scoring cutter. It’s a $20 tool from Lowe’s called a blue hawk snap cutter. It you basically score the tile with a carbide wheel and then using a lever, it snaps the tile along the line. Just make sure your marble is thin enough to fit in the cutter. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s the fastest way to cut your tile. You can use a wet tile cutting saw. It’s a slower/messier technique, but a lot of folks use it. The saw is also more expensive.
Yeah, I saw it on Lowe's and Home Depot's website but I thought those were only for ceramic and porcelain. I kept trying to find reviews for those from people using stones like quartz or marble or granite but no such luck. The tiles are "Arabescato Carrara Honed Marble" Grade 1, natural marble mosaic for floor, wall and countertop use 6 inch width x 12 inch length x 0.38 inch thick.
You think a scoring cutter with the carbide wheel and pressure snapper would do the trick? They are a bit more here across the northern border. Cheapest I saw was $39.95 and 69.95 for a QEP. We certainly get gouged in pricing compared to our Amercian neighbours
Wow, that is expensive! Under the description for the blue hawk, it says it’ll work on natural stone. I’m pretty sure it’ll work. You could test it out on a piece and return the cutter if you don’t like it. When I used it, I completely cracked the first couple tiles, so it takes some practice. But once you get going, it’s quick.
I agree.1⃣. No need to buy a wet saw. 2⃣. Waste of money.
Yes, agreed. Especially if you’ll only be using it once.
Some reasons for a wet saw are to contain the dust (silicosis hazard) and cool the blade and workpiece. Cooling the blade will extend its life.
I got a wet saw machine for $90
If you have a ogee edge on granite vanity top, is it better to start cut into the edge on the front or start cutting on the wall side (back) and finish in the front. I bought a 60” prefabricated top with the sink already installed and I need to cut approx 1.5” off the side so it will fit between two walls. Of course using the techniques and tools used in video. Excellent video, I am sure that it has helped many people and saved them lots of money.
Hi Amber! I’d start the cut on the front and finish on the back. The last few millimeters of your cut can chip when your excess drops off, so you’ll want this potentially rough cut hidden by the wall or backsplash. Since you’re cutting 1.5” off, I’d start with a practice cut at 3/4” to get a feel for cutting granite. When you make your actual cut at 1.5”, you’ll be confident that you’ll make a great cut!
I followed your instructions about cutting granite and it worked like a charm. Now vanity top #2 to cut. It is a engineered quartz top that I will be cutting down from 49” to the 39” top that will be installed between two walls. I am also planning to get my side splashes off of each side that I cut off since the two side edges are polished. My question is that I noticed that you cut quartz top right side up like I did the granite. Do I cut it the same as the granite top? Cut it right side up, from front to the wall so if it chips it will be hid behind backsplashes? Anything special I need to do or know? Thank you for your time
Awesome! Glad the project worked out well. Cut the quartz the same way as the granite and it’ll turn out great! Quartz doesn’t chip as much as natural stone. In fact I didn’t have a single chip with my project. Excellent idea with cutting both edges off for the backsplash to save on polishing.
we bought the quartz in china town for 1/2 price and always tape before cutting to avoid chips and cracks .
Great Video, Is it better to cut backward using the saw and of course using tape on the cutting line?? Thank U
Anthony Santillo, good question! I had no issues cutting with the blade turned the correct way, i had no chips. If you are having issues with chipping I’d use the wet cutting technique and push the saw slowly so each tooth of the blade take smaller “bites” of the material instead of larger bites that can result in chips. A reversed blade will naturally cut slower. If you’re cutting quartz, it’s mostly made of plastic resin, so a chip would be rare so I wouldn’t reverse the blade at all. Granite and marble come if different densities and hardness so one person may not have chips and another will. If you have excess material, I would do a practice/test cut to hone your skills and see how your cut looks. If you're placing the cut edge against a wall with a backsplash over it, I wouldn't even worry...you won't see it. If it's an exposed edge, you'll wan't to polish it with diamond pads later on anyways, so tiny chips or roughness won't be an issue.
If you are having chipping problems even with the blade reversed, try a smooth rimed diamond blade: amzn.to/2A8UrWI .It has no "teeth" like the turbo rimed blade does and will cut slower, but it would be the best bet to solve chipping issues.
If you have a ogee edge on granite vanity top, is it better to start cut into the edge on the front or start cutting on the wall side (back) and finish in the front. I bought a 60” prefabricated top with the sink already installed and I need to cut approx 1.5” off the side so it will fit between two walls. Of course using the techniques and tools used in video. Excellent video, I am sure that it has helped many people and saved them lots of money.
Which side is up when cutting marble?
I’d cut right side up and be careful to not let ur cut off piece drop at the last few mm of your cut, which can cause a chip. But if you’re worried about a rough edge, you can always polish it. My other video shows you how.
Silicosis or Electrocution? How about both!
Hello did you buy a dismond blade made granite or on for concrete?
Hows it going? Any turbo rim diamond blade should do a good job cutting granite/quartz/marble. I used a cheap, generic, diamond blade in the video, and it worked really well.
Thrifty Tani okay thanks for the advice I ended up using an MK and another generic brand needed to use two 7-inch to open bigger my granite countertop for receiving a new cooktop. By the grace of God the project went well.
Shahir Safi, I'm glad to hear your project worked! Great job on having the bravery to do it!
I have a piece of Silestone that is glued to the original plaster wall for the backsplash behind the cooktop. When we renovated the kitchen we had the Silestone custom cut to fit the microwave. Now the new microwaves are about 1.5 inches bigger. Is it possible to cut 1.5x30 inch piece out of the Silestone while it is glued to the wall?
Hey Rusty, Yes you can. If the sides of your backsplash isn’t abutted to anything (eg: a corner of a wall), you can use an angle grinder with a diamond blade (see my video on how to cut out a sink hole) and a someone holding a vacuum cleaner hose next to the cutting edge of the blade to minimize the dust. Tape your proposed cut line with painters tape or masking tape. Use a straight edge to mark your cut line on the tape with a pen or pencil. Then make your cut. I’d practice cutting with some scrap silestone if you have some laying around. Your edge may look rough if you don’t cut with a steady hand. Once you make your cut, you need to pry the cut off piece from the wall, it’s probably attached with adhesive. If you make a hole, you can patch it. Or if you don’t care about it since the microwave will be covering the area you can leave it as is.
Thanks, that was what I wanted to hear. Perfect!
You’re welcome!
Thrifty,
How do you get that last little corner without going a little past the corner with the round blade on the grinder?
It gets tricky to cut when you have the side of the backsplash abutted to a wall. If it’s just dry wall, you can cut into it to complete the cut, then patch the hole.
I think I might use a battery powered saw or something air powered instead of 120 volts/water combo.
I have a travertine marble vanity top that is 1" too deep for my new vanity base and wall. Can I use my circular saw to cut it like you demonstrate? Are there any specific recommendations for what to use to ensure it doesn't chip or crack? The top is about 1.5" thick and is 36.5" long.
Adam Juechter, hows it going? So your vanity is sticking out too much and you’d like to cut off 1”? I’d tape off the cut line with tape and use a smooth rimmed diamond blade that has no “teeth” if you’re worried about chips. If you’re going to have a backsplash installed I’d cut off the 1” on the side of the countertop that will be next to the wall and place a backsplash over it so no one will see the cut edge. No polishing necessary!
Thank you, so no need for water while cutting? Would you recommend cutting the top of the vanity or from the bottom? The edge being cut will be against the wall, however, we have a multi-stone cover on the wall halfway up so can't attached a backsplash (it won't adhere to the wall). Given that, would I need to polish it with a tool or just smooth the visible edge with sandpaper?
No problem! I’d definitely use water, it’ll help prevent chips. I’d cut the slab right side up. At the last few mm of your cut, the cutoff piece will drop off and create a chip if it’s not held in place with clamps. If it does chip, it’ll be on the bottom of the slab against the wall where you won’t see it. If you’re using caulk between the back wall and your countertop, that should be enough to hide the rough edge. But I’d ensure your back wall is straight. If your wall and the edge of the countertop aren’t identically straight, you’ll have noticeable uneven gaps. If a backsplash were possible it would require less precision. And of course cut slowly.
Thank you for the video !
Thanks!
Hi I'm from south africa can I fit diamond blade to bosch gsk235 I want to cut quarts slab 20mm
Hi, the diamond blade is the same size as a standard wood cutting blade. Most circular saws in the USA use a 5/8” arbor, which translates to 15.8mm. But if you can find a diamond blade in South Africa, I’m sure it’ll fit a standard circular saw there.
I can do this thanks got 3 large pieces of quartz with counter edgesI am going to cut up kitchen is going to be great
Yes, awesome!
how to cut artificial white slapp ??? help me
suresh tilework, sorry I never heard of white slapp.
I have a small piece of marble countertop that I want to square up, I have been told by more than one person that there is a good chance that the stone will crack. approximate size is 18x24. cutting this way dry, how likely is it that it will turn out .
Hi Benjamin Aderman! , is the countertop already installed in your home? If it is, dry cutting will create a big dusty mess. I recommend finding a piece of scrap marble tile or buy a a new one for a few bucks and practice cutting. Technique is important and it'll be a great skill to learn. An 4.5" angle grinder with a diamond blade would be better if you're doing small cuts that are angular, or if you want to slowly shave off the area to be removed. The video shows Engineered Quartz which is much less prone to chipping since it has a resins to bind the Quartz.
I have a 17×22nd inch cutoff that was given to me. I am planning on cutting it to 16 inches square and using it for the center of a cherry end table. I was told by a few friends that my chances of it breaking are high. Never worked with stone before.
Benjamin Aderman, the most likely time you will chip the marble is during the last few mm of your cut when your cutoff piece drops off. You can prevent this by supporting your entire piece of marble with a flat piece of material such as styrofoam. Also you can use a multiple pass technique where you start with a shallow cut and then cut deeper and deeper. Since you'll have such a large cut off piece that you won't need, i'd practice cutting off an inch or so of material and see how you do. If you like the result, then move on to your actual cut. Practice makes perfect!
Benjamin Aderman , in your case, id definitely give it a shot. Your piece of marble is for a small inexpensive project. If you're like me, I figure you'll spend a few bucks on the blade, but in the future, could save you and your friends hundreds with your experience. If you were cutting an installed slab of stone, which could cost hundreds to repair, I'd probably think twice before doing it.
When will you post a video on how to bullnose?
Erika T it'll be soon. I'm editing the video now.
This is awesome
👍
My circular saw arbor is 30mm
Wow I've been donated about £600 worth of granite worktop that I'm going to use for bits of shelving
Could I use mineral oil as a coolant and for dust control?
It's cheap and non conductive.....
Hi Christopher, Physically mineral oil would work, but you’d need a continuous flow of it. Or a way to contain it so it’ll stay on your cutting edge. The centrifugal force of the blade would fling the oil into a mist and it’ll cover everything in the area. Interesting idea though!
The safe kind of oil to use if you will be breathing any of the mist is sold as air-tool oil. Castor oil, I think. If you are going to have oil in your lungs, best if it's a type that your body can break down.
How to cut an L shape quartz? Thanks
what about a palm size quartz stone? it is so damn hard
Are you trying to cut a palm sized piece out of a countertop?
@@thriftytani46 i try to cut some very nice quartz stones i found but they are sooo hard that it broke 2 stone cutting disks..and i cut less than half..i need your help on a heavy use disc because i found a lot but this kind of quartz seems to be a lot harder that other ones i found before..thanks for the fast respond..is that turbo diamond blade of yours the fix?
Quartz crystal is just slightly less hard then a diamond, so a diamond blade will cut it, but it’ll take a while. Using a vice to hold it steady would help. It must be a beautiful looking crystal!
@@thriftytani46 yeah it can be even better..a huge thanks and a like
Mahalo for the the like. I would love to see it when it’s nicely polished!
Thanks very informative video. GF1 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😎
Thank you!
मशीक किमत कया है
About 50 US dollars.
@@thriftytani46 मैंने ऐसा पूछा है सर कि मशीन आप जो बता रहे हैं पत्थर काटने की उसकी कीमत क्या है ऐसा मैं पूछ रही हूं आपसे
Nope i already see a problem never cut foward it chips the quarts and it also jumps and gets stuck more often also dont put the saw on the stond
so you risked getting shocked to death to save $50? just buy a $60 wet tile saw that comes with the diamond coated blade that wont' make any dust and think of it as good life insurance.
it can be done safer with a buddy lightly spraying the blade so you aren't drenched. you have to realize us DIY types and construction in general has improvising involved. you can't cut slabs this size with a micro wet table saw
Electrical Danger or save yourself over 2k. 😂