How to Cut Stone For Your Project
All the neighbors will admire your stonework
- Electric grinder
- Diamond cutting blade
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Tape measure
- Stone
- Chalk
- Dust mask
Stone provides a beautiful design and appearance for both the exterior and interior of a home. If you want to build a stone walkway, wall, or steps, completing the project yourself can save you some money–and be quite rewarding. To add a stunning design element, read on to learn how to cut stone.
Preparing to Cut Stone
Before cutting stone, you must take two important steps: choosing the type of stone you will use and planning your design. Common stone types used for walkways, walls, and steps include bluestone, flagstone, granite, limestone, and pavers.
The stone you choose will impact your overall cost. For example, flagstone costs between $2 and $6 per square foot, while granite cost averages between $10 and $15 per square foot. Your type of project will also affect your budget as stone steps typically cost less than walkways because they require fewer materials. Stone walls cost more, particularly if they are structural.
Depending on the size of your project, you may not need to use an electric grinder. A chisel and hammer will do the trick for smaller projects. However, using the electric grinder with the chisel and hammer can be effective in getting the best cut of your stone. If you don’t have access to an electric grinder, or the budget to buy the tool, you can use the chisel and hammer.
Once you've chosen your stone, it's time to finalize your project design. This step is essential and can take a bit of time to map out. Do research on everything from stone step walkway ideas to stone wall designs to gather inspiration for your project. There's no need for too much precision in this step, just get a rough idea of your plan and make adjustments once you have the cut materials in hand.
Aside from specific design ideas, you need to consider the location of the stones. Stones that will be laid on a flat surface tend to be easier to measure. Otherwise, you may need to know how to build stone steps on a slope so you can get the most accurate measurements.
Ensure you wear proper safety gear when cutting stones to avoid the risk of injury. Wear protective eyewear and a dust mask to keep any dust or bits of stone away. A face shield may be a good idea since the stone could break off small pieces. Ear protection is also recommended when using loud machinery.
Cutting the Stone
Measure the Area
While you’ve likely already measured the area in your planning process, take measurements again. Measure the total area and consider the size of any design elements. If cuts are symmetrical, you only need that single measurement. If cuts are not symmetrical, you need to measure all of the sizes you need for your design.
Mark the Stone Cuts
Once you have your measurements, use chalk to mark the cutting lines. Ensure all lines are straight and accurately aligned according to your design. The chalk mark should cover the entire surface of the stone–not just the top–so you can follow through accurately.
Cut the Stone
Now it's time to cut your stone. Use a little water on your stone to reduce dust. The water may also make cutting the stone a bit easier. However, you want to ensure you don't use so much water that your chalk line disappears. You can choose to cut the stone dry, but this will produce more dust.
To get the cleanest break and cut, use a chisel and hammer on the top of the stone. With the blade of the chisel on the line, hold it vertically as you firmly hit the end of the chisel. Move along the line making three to four cuts every 1-inch. Once you complete the perimeter, go back around to make cuts in the blank spaces. This ensures you are making clean, even cuts.
Next, use the electric grinder with the diamond blade to cut through the stone. Carefully cut straight lines on the other sides of your stone, taking your time to make sure all of your lines are even. After the first side is done, turn the stone over and repeat the process on the other side. Repeat this for each side, other than the top, until you have a distinct groove.
Once the chisel and grinder have cut all sides of the stone, it's time to complete the cut. Starting with the top side, align the chisel in the groove and strike the end with the hammer three to four times. Rotate to the next side and repeat the process. Stay patient and continue the steps until the stone breaks.
Smooth and Shape the Stone
Once the stone has been cut at the piece removed, you may need to smooth it out and shape it up. This step helps you get the cleanest look. Use the electric grinder to smooth the edges and refine the shape of the stone as needed.
If you're planning an intricate design for the stone, draw it on a piece of paper. Use the design as a reference while you use an electric grinder to smooth it to shape.
Repeat this process for every stone needed to complete your walkway. If this job feels too complex or dangerous, hire a masonry contractor who is experienced in working with masonry materials such as stone.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you're a handy person with experience using an electric grinder or similar tool, you could probably handle cutting stone on your own. You will save some money on this step that could go toward a higher-quality stone or other home project.
If you don’t have experience using an electric grinder, or just don’t have the time to design and cut stone, consider hiring a local masonry contractor. On average, masons charge an hourly rate between $40 and $75 per hour. Some professionals require a minimum investment of between $200 to $400. This goes toward the first few hours of work. Here are some questions to ask a masonry contractor before hiring one.
Outsourcing stone cutting to a professional would be worth it if you have some wiggle room in your budget. If you're confident you can handle the task, you can save a few hundred dollars with this DIY project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Using water when cutting stone drastically reduces the amount of dust that comes off the stone. It’s beneficial to cut down on the amount of dust for respiratory and other safety reasons, such as keeping your vision clear while using an electric tool. Even with protective eyewear, the dust can still cloud your safety glasses. You should always wear protective gear when cutting stone.
Cultured stone is typically easier to cut compared to natural stone. Because it’s lightweight and porous, cutting cultured stone doesn't take as much effort. The process of cutting cultured and natural stone is the same; however, you may spend more time cutting through natural stone.
Yes, you can cut patio stones with a circular saw. Similar to using an electric grinder, you will need to use a diamond blade as this is the most effective blade for cutting a material like stone. The stone must be wet when using a circular saw to ensure the cut is smooth.
Cutting stone comes with a number of safety hazards. First and foremost, if you’re not comfortable with the equipment required to cut stone, including blades and grinders, you could easily injure yourself. The heavy machinery also poses a risk to your ears if you don’t wear proper ear protection; similarly, you need to wear eye protection to keep debris from irritating your eyes.
However, the biggest risk from cutting stone comes from the stone dust. When breathed in, stone dust can be a huge hazard to your lungs. Always wear a face mask when cutting stone to prevent inhaling stone dust, and thoroughly clean the work area when you are finished.
To avoid injury, we recommend hiring a stone-cutting professional, rather than attempting this job yourself.
