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Marble is a highly prized stone thanks to its aesthetic value, solid structure, and smooth surface. While many of us assume you need specialized equipment for the job, the truth about how to cut marble may shock you. Below we’ll investigate what goes into cutting these fantastic stones to size.
Contents
How To Cut Marble With A Circular Saw
While there are several marble-cutting methods, most DIY enthusiasts find cutting marble with a regular circular saw convenient. Circular saws are adept at cutting a straight line through marble; however, they require the correct discs for cutting through the stone.
Step One: Tool Preparation And Marking The Marble
Before getting into the actual cutting, you’ll need the correct tools and measurements of what you want to cut (and where).
You’ll need a diamond cutting disc to use a circular saw for cutting marble (designated as a “stone disc”).
These discs come in three types:
- Segmented rim – wet or dry cutting, they produce a rougher cut and may chip the stone
- Continuous rim – mostly wet (but also dry); they produce the neatest cut but are the slowest
- Turbo rim – a faster cut than the continuous rim but neater than the segmented rim
Once you’ve equipped your cutting disc, you’ll need to measure and mark out where to cut on the marble. A pencil works well for lighter marble shades, but you may need tape for darker marble (stuck along the pencil line).
Step Two: Place Your Slab On An Elevated, Level Surface
You’ll need some clearance from the ground to cut effectively with a circular saw. While a work table (or balancing the marble on a few wooden planks on the ground) is not bad, a brilliant plan uses 2″ thick rigid foam.
This foam protects your marble from falling onto the ground and supports it while you cut, ensuring it doesn’t snap off under its weight. If you don’t have foam, the table/wood works, but you’ll need to catch the part you cut off before it hits the floor.
Step Three: Cut In A Straight Line
Cutting in a straight line is essential when using a circular saw, as the blade may become trapped and break. The optimal method to ensure you’re working accurately is to clamp a guide (a straight, solid object like a plank or metal bar) onto the marble slab.
You’ll need to measure and ensure the correct gap between the cutting line and the guide so your circular saw blade is on the line.
Step Four: Do A Test Cut On A Non-essential Marble Piece
Although it may seem unnecessary, a test cut is essential for inexperienced DIYers. The test cut can be on the same piece of marble, but we’d recommend an “off cut” that won’t matter if it breaks.
This test cut allows the operator to get a feel for the blade, the speed of the cut, and its accuracy and to identify any potential issues (a loose or incorrect fitting cutting disc, etc.).
Step Five: Start Cutting The Marble
Placing the circular saw along the guide, slowly push it (while on) along the marble. Depending on the type of diamond blade, you may need to wet it during the process. Slow cutting is essential to avoid chipping the marble/going skewed.
While some DIYers recommend cutting a small groove on the opposite side of the marble to ease the cutting process, it is unnecessary or always possible.
Wetting The Blade Is A Good Idea
Although the segmented blade can cut dry marble, doing so may not yield satisfactory results. These blades tend to chip the stone when dry cutting.
We recommend applying constant, clean water to the blade. This water cools and lubricates the blade, improving the quality of the cut and the overall neatness.
While a small bottle does the trick, bringing the garden hose in for larger jobs is better. An even, steady water stream is best. You can also use a circular saw for cutting granite or do this trick.
Step Six: Finishing Off The Cut/Neatening Up The Marble
Unfortunately, no matter how patient and accurate you are, there will be rough edges after cutting the marble. You’ll need to use an angle grinder and smooth along the edges.
Start with a low grit (around 24), eventually working to a finer grit for maximum buff and shine. The lower grit removes most uneven pieces, while the finer grit smooths the surface by removing the scratches.
Grider pads produce satisfactory results and go as fine as 3000. If you don’t have an angle grinder, an orbital sander will work too.
How To Cut Marble With A Wet Saw
Wet saws are fantastic tools for cutting large, heavy marble slabs. It’s also ideal for cutting porcelain tiles without breaking them. As the name implies, these saws come with a convenient water outlet close to the blade, so you don’t need to worry about holding a garden hose while cutting.
Thanks to the table, they have a sturdy surface; and the fixed saw allows for accurate cutting. However, these saws are not in everyone’s budget.
Before starting, ensure the saw is positioned on a flat, solid surface (like a garage floor). Next, mark off where you want to cut on the marble slab and load it onto the wet saw’s table.
These saws work like any fixed saw. The operation is also like cutting a flagstone with a circular saw. Start it, pull down on the handle/guard, and cut on the line (once it’s spinning at full speed and the water’s flowing).
Slowly push the marble into the blade and let it cut through as desired.
How To Cut Marble With An Angle Grinder
If you don’t have a wet saw to cut tiles or a circular saw for marbles, don’t worry about blowing the budget to find one. You’ll be delighted that affordable and best angle grinders are fantastic secondary option for cutting marble. This is also why angle grinders are ideal for cutting bricks.
While cutting marble with an angle grinder is similar to a circular or wet saw, an angle grinder allows you to cut free-hand shapes with greater ease. I.e., you don’t need to follow a straight line but can create unique designs/angles.
Water is (once again) critical to the cutting process, acting as a lubricant and coolant, producing a smoother, neater end cut and improving your disc/blade’s longevity.
You’ll start by drawing the line you wish to follow and then carefully cutting along the line, ensuring you don’t trap the blade. You’ll need a diamond cutting disc to cut through marble.
| Power Tools | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Circular saw | Can make clean straight cuts on marble using the right diamond cutting disc |
| Wet saw | Comes with a convenient water outlet that prevent marble from chipping |
| Angle grinder | Can cut free-hand shapes with greater ease |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Safety Equipment Do I Need For Cutting Marble?
The safety equipment you’ll need during marble cutting includes a dust mask, eye protection (goggles), gloves to avoid getting cut, and ear muffs (for the cutting noise) to protect you from tiny shards and dust. Loose-fitting clothes are not recommended.
Is A Wet Saw, Angle Grinder, Or Circular Saw Better For Cutting Marble?
A wet saw is ideal for cutting larger, straight marble blocks, a circular saw is cheaper than a wet saw, and an angle grinder allows you to cut alternative shapes and angles. Each tool brings a different utility to cutting marble and excels in different situations.
Can I Cut Marble With Other Power Tools?
You’ll be pleased to hear that a jigsaw also cuts marble, provided you purchase diamond blades and the marble is thin enough. You can also cut marble with a diamond hole saw connected to a drill. So not having a grinder, circular saw, or wet saw, nor the funds to purchase one, is not an issue.
Conclusion
Cutting marble might seem daunting initially, but you only need a circular saw and a diamond cutting disc. While these saws are practical, if you can’t afford a wet saw, you’ll need to neaten the cut area with an angle grinder or orbital sander, working your way from coarse to fine grit. Using water and the correct protective equipment is important whenever you cut marble.
