Cutting slate garden slabs without chipping?
Discussion
Currently have a local, well regarded landscaping co working out back.
They are using a nice 1" thick machined slate for capping the walls and then, later, for the patio.
Having come home this evening to the start of the process it looks great from afar, but on closer inspection the edges they have cut are pockmarked with chips, some quite sizeable. Obviously will raise with them tomorrow as I've paid for a high end material for a crisp finish, not 3 sides perfect, one chipped - and I'm sure it'll be even more obvious when they start grouting, and will look even worse with the large area of the patio...
So, was just wondering, what are the views on the best way to cut this type of product to continue to get the crisp machined finish it's been delivered with?
They are using a nice 1" thick machined slate for capping the walls and then, later, for the patio.
Having come home this evening to the start of the process it looks great from afar, but on closer inspection the edges they have cut are pockmarked with chips, some quite sizeable. Obviously will raise with them tomorrow as I've paid for a high end material for a crisp finish, not 3 sides perfect, one chipped - and I'm sure it'll be even more obvious when they start grouting, and will look even worse with the large area of the patio...
So, was just wondering, what are the views on the best way to cut this type of product to continue to get the crisp machined finish it's been delivered with?
They are probably using an angle grinder with a diamond blade in it, for the best result they need to hire a wet table saw and to cut the slabs upside down as even wet sawn the slabs can chip and i have found upside down cuts cleanest.
edit to add, with blade set just a shade deeper than the tile i.e. about 10mm sticking through the bottom of the tile
edit to add, with blade set just a shade deeper than the tile i.e. about 10mm sticking through the bottom of the tile
Edited by x 7usc on Monday 28th July 19:44
Whilst some it technique, some is material the main thing is the blade.
http://www.uk-diamondblades.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d...
(Link was just to the first Marcrist supplier - but the blade choice depends upon the material)
http://www.uk-diamondblades.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d...
(Link was just to the first Marcrist supplier - but the blade choice depends upon the material)
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