How To Cut Granite With a Circular Saw

Granite countertops are a favorable choice if you want to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom due to their numerous benefits. They are stain-resistant and heat-resistant, and that makes them sturdy and durable. If you are wondering how to cut granite with a circular saw, then you’ve come to the right place.

How To Cut Granite With a Circular Saw

This article will guide you through the process of cutting granite slabs with a circular saw. But first, let’s look at the materials required.

Materials Required

• Circular saw
• Diamond-cut circular saw blade
• C-clamps
• Painters-tape
• Eyeglasses, dust protection mask, and ear protection equipment
• Marker & tape for measurement
• A Shop Vac
• Proper workbench

Granite can be cut either following the dry or the wet cutting procedure.

Step #1: Choose the Appropriate Blade

The first step is to choose an appropriate blade as per your material requirement. You must ensure that this is taken care of before cutting the granite slab.

You can use a standard-purpose circular saw, or you can go for a wet-cut circular saw. The wet cut circular saw produces minimal dust when accompanied by a tube that drizzles water while cutting the granite slab.

Diamond blades are the perfect choice to cut granite slabs. Not only are they more precise, but they also last longer.

Step #2: Set Up Your Workplace

Place the granite slab in a stable and supportive surface or a workbench. It will help you avoid a scenario where a granite piece suddenly falls.

Clamp the side of the slab using a C-clamp to secure your granite tightly in its position. Clamps will help to reduce the effect of vibration, sudden jolts, or any unwanted movements.

Step #3: Make Measurements and Markings

Use markers like painters-tape to mark the line along which you will be cutting the granite.

Painters-tape is known to be easy to use, and it is easily removable if you make a mistake while outlining.

Recheck your measurements if required because you cannot undo the cutting once done. Thus, you must be very careful at all times.

Step #4: Install the Diamond Blade

Unplug your power tool and use a blade wrench to remove the arbor nut.

Take your diamond blade to cut the granite and fit it in your circular saw carefully.

Make sure that the saw teeth face the direction of rotation. After installing the blade, use the blade wrench to tighten the arbor nut.

Step #5: Cut the Granite

Here’s how you do it:

1. Start to cut the granite by making a back-cut because the saw blade breakthrough will make the granite thin. It will reduce the chances of chipping and chunk break.
2. After you have successfully made a back-cut, take your circular saw and reposition it along the cutline. This has to be done from the opposite and alternate end of the granite slab.
3. Do not force the circular saw into the slab when cutting. Just try to maintain a light and steady balance keeping the focus on the blade alignment with patience.
4. If you’ve maintained a uniform pressure throughout the procedure, you will get a fine-cut piece of granite using the diamond blade.

If you want to have a proper illustration of cutting granite with a circular saw equipped with a sophisticated diamond blade, you can check out this video.

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Warning!

Use goggles or eyeglasses to protect your eye from granite dust particles. Use ear protection equipment to minimize the loud, harsh noise of the tool. It is also recommended to use GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) to reduce the risk of electrical shocks while cutting granite using the wet cutting method.

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Step #6: Remove the Dirt

There may be excess dust that’s generated due to the rigorous cutting procedure.

Use a Shop Vac to suck up the granite dust if you have followed the dry-cutting procedure.

If you have followed the wet cutting procedure, then the dust released would be damp and slurry. You can use a water-soaked cloth to wipe it off and clean the mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Advantages of Using a Diamond Blade in a Circular Saw for Cutting Granite?

Diamond blades are wear-resistant and offer a more extended period of usability. They give a pleasing shape to your granite which is clear and smooth and reduce the risk of overheating.

Diamond blades can be relatively expensive due to the material involved. But the blades are overall cost-effective and save you money as they can be replaced and reused.

What is the Use of Water in Granite Cutting?

While cutting a granite slab with a circular saw, it is best to go by the wet cutting procedure. Water is used here to freely flow over the blade and granite, to eliminate excess dry dust.

Water also helps in cooling the blade during operation and reduces the risk of granite chipping. You can connect with GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) to reduce the risk of shock. 

Conclusion

It is best if you choose an outdoor area setting to cut your granite slab. This will reduce your work post cutting the granite with a circular saw.

Take proper safety precautions while using circular saws since they cause more than 10,000 ER visits every year. If you are a beginner who has never used a circular saw before, it would be best to learn how to use a circular saw first then proceed with the cutting procedure.

Be patient and follow the guide to a T, and you’ll have cut a clean piece of granite without much hassle.