How is sandstone cut?

When you’re laying sandstone pavers inside or outside your home, you may come across areas where a perfectly square stone just won’t fit. It is at times like these that sandstone cutting becomes necessary. The two most common ways to cut stone are with a saw or chisel: a saw to cut pieces of sandstone that are thinner than the blade, and a chisel to remove large sections of stone.

Cut with a circular saw

Before you even try to cut through the sandstone, you’ll need to remove the circular saw’s safety guard to check the blade (making sure to check that the saw is unplugged first, of course). Change from your regular blade to a diamond-tipped one, making sure it is properly secured with the blade changing tool that came with your saw.

Mark a straight line on the sandstone where you want to cut it. Put on a mask to avoid breathing in the dust particles that the stone will release, and spray the sandstone with a little water to prevent dust and small debris from flying towards your face.

Turn on the circular saw and start cutting the sandstone along the line you drew earlier, making sure to go slowly to avoid jamming the saw. If you notice anything tight in the stone or smoke, get the saw out. Spray some water on the sandstone to cool it down before proceeding.

cut with a chisel

Mark the part of the sandstone you want to cut. Next, take a carbide-tipped chisel and place it point down on the stone. Take a hammer and hit the chisel into the sandstone, making only small cuts at first, working your way along the line. Be sure to remove some of the grit along this line to serve as a guide later.

Use the chisel to strike the sandstone along the lines you carved earlier to remove it. If it is too large a piece, work on the stone in stages until all the unwanted material has been removed. If the sandstone is thicker, you may need to hit the chisel a little harder.

Regardless of the method you choose to cut your sandstone, it can be a relatively simple process, as long as you’re equipped with the right tools for the job. Using a chisel is by far less complicated than using a circular saw, but there is a greater margin for error. Choose the method with which you are most comfortable.