Granite is a great choice for a countertop if you want it to last a long time.A lot of the cost of granite comes from cutting, which you can do at home to save money.Don't plan out the cut until you wear the proper safety gear.Then, use a dry circular saw for a neat cut, a wet circularsaw for reduced dust, or an angular grinder to cut holes for sinks and cooktops.To give your bathroom or kitchen a new look, install the countertop when you're done.
Step 1: The countertop should be placed on a workbench or another stable surface.
Every 2 to 3 ft (0.61 to 0.91 m) along the sides of the countertop, add a pair of clamps.The risk of chipping is reduced if the slab stays as still as possible.To test your setup, shake the workbench and countertop.Attach more clamps to the countertop if it seems to move easily.If you don't have a good, stable surface to place the countertop on, try setting it atop some 2 ft 4 ft (0.61 m 1.22 m) pieces of lumber on the ground.
Step 2: Take the space available for the countertop.
Determine what size the countertop needs to be.Measure the wall space using a tape measure, then pick a spot in your home for the countertop.To determine the countertop's width, measure out from the wall.If you are replacing a countertop, use it as a guide.After you remove it from your home, measure its length and width.
Step 3: You can cut the area with painter's tape.
If you want to use a guide for your saw, spread a piece of tape across the table.If you want to cut through the tape as you cut into the table, you need to place it in the right spot.It protects the granite from the blade and reduces the chance of chip damage.If you are cutting across the countertop, lay a single strip of tape all the way across it.Place it where you want it to be.Place more tape to cover the cutting area if it isn't 100% accurate.You can get painter's tape online or at a local hardware store.
Step 4: Use a pen and tape to draw a cutting outline.
Draw directly on the tape with a pen or dark marking tool.Carefully measure!Make it as accurate as possible, because this line is what you refer to as you operate the saw.If you want to make space for a sink or stove top, keep in mind that these features usually come with cardboard templates you can trace on the countertop.The template can be used for a more accurate cut.Before you move on, make sure you check your measurements a second time.Ensure your outline is perfect by taking your time.If you make a mistake, your countertop could be ruined.
Step 5: Dust mask, safety goggles, and earplugs are required.
Granite cutting can cause a lot of noise and dust, so make sure to take precautions.Gloves, jewelry, and long-sleeved clothing can get caught under the saw.If you have the option to do so, it's a good idea to air out your area.Open the doors and windows and turn on the fans.Dust can get all over your home if you work outdoors.If you have to work indoors, use a feather duster, dust vacuum, or wet cloth to clean up.You should keep other people out of the area until you are done.
Step 6: Attach a diamond-tipped blade to a circular saw.
Regular metal blades can't cut stone.Choose a blade that protects the granite and your saw.Try using a standard 7 4 in circular saw with a 7 in diamond blade.To minimize the risk to your countertop, make sure the blade is labeled specifically for use on granite.Ceramic and other materials can't be cut through granite.It is worth using diamond-tipped blades for this project.
Step 7: You can make a small back cut with the saw.
Begin sawing into the granite by aligning the saw blade with the cutting guideline.Cut along the tape at the edge of the table.As you work on the granite, you will need a small starting point.To reduce the risk of damage to the countertop, take the time to make this additional cut.
Step 8: The saw should be used to complete the cut from the opposite end.
Go around the other side of the countertop and cut the outline you traced on the tape.Hold the blade to the granite with a light amount of pressure.Keep it on the guideline.It is worth it for a perfectly-cut countertop.If you hold the saw steady, it will cut through the tape and granite with ease.You don't have to force it.It may cause the granite to be torn off the countertop.
Step 9: If you need to make more cuts, repeat the process.
Start trimming the countertop with back cuts, then switch to the opposite end of the guidelines.Don't rush because each cut can take 15 minutes to complete.Take some time to get a smooth countertop.
Step 10: The angle grinder has a diamond-tipped blade on it.
An angle grinder can be used to slice a hole into a countertop.An angle grinder is similar to a handheld electric saw.A strong blade is about 10 cm in diameter and is labeled for use on granite.You have to be careful when selecting a cutting wheel for an angle grinder, as they are often used for cutting and polishing stone.The tool could be damaged if you choose the wrong one.
Step 11: You should lower the blade onto the guideline.
To avoid cutting past the edge of the line, keep the blade close to it.Attach the blade to the countertop by cutting through the tape and granite.The blade should be moved along the guideline to complete the cut.Since you can always cut away the extra granite later, it is better to cut within the line.You will end up cutting into the part of the countertop you want to keep if you cross over the line.
Step 12: To make it easier to finish, cut across the rounded corners.
The rest of the work is easy to complete once you make the initial cut.As you head toward the corners of the outline, hold the blade steady with light but consistent pressure.Cut across the stone to the side of the outline when you are close to a corner.It's much easier to make straight lines than it is to cut around a curve.A good countertop is made from a slow and steady pace.If you want to eliminate large chunks of the stone, trim it away.
Step 13: To trim the hole, cut along the outline again.
Cut the hole until you see the outline you drew during the measurement phase.If you are careful, the hole won't be big enough after the first cut.It is a simple process to widen it.When the hole is sizeable and consistent, repeat the cut with the angle grinder.The rounded corners should be cut from the center of the hole.If you want to slice off small chunks of granite, move the blade in straight lines.You will end up with perfect corners.
Step 14: Attach the appliance to the counter.
Lower the sink into the hole you cut.If you have to, raise it from underneath the countertop.Before you put it in place, make sure it fits perfectly.You won't need to make any adjustments if you measured well when sketching the cutlines.You can even out the edges with an angle grinder if the hole is smaller than you need.It is not possible to fix a hole that is too big.
Step 15: The saw has a diamond-tipped blade.
A wet-cut saw shoots a jet of water at the granite as you cut it.The saw reduces the amount of dust that is released when you make a cut.If you don't mind the mess from spilled water, use a wet-cut setting to reduce the wear and tear on your saw and blade.While spraying water onto the countertop, you could use a regular circular saw or angle grinder.It is easy to do without a wet-cut saw if you are careful.
Step 16: Plug the saw into theGFCI outlet.
If you need to prevent an electrical shock, set up your workspace near a special outlet.When the circuit gets overload, a red reset button is on the outlet.When you are ready to operate the saw, press the reset button and look for any problems.If you can, connect the extension cord to the outlet to cut the countertop outdoors.If you don't have a GFCI outlet, use the dry-cut method to eliminate the risk of shock.
Step 17: You drew an outline and slice it into the countertop.
Attach the saw to the outline you drew on tape.You can use the line to guide your saw.Hold onto the saw with a light amount of pressure instead of pushing it forward.Get perfect, smooth cuts by gradually guiding it over the lines.Make sure you cut where you need to.If you are not careful, you could ruin a good countertop.Cut across rounded corners if you are cutting a hole for a sink.Once you make the rest of the hole, trim off the excess granite.
Step 18: The saw blade needs to be sprayed to keep it moist.
A wet cut is different from a dry one.If you use a wet-cut circular saw, its nozzle will spray water automatically.Keep the taped area and saw blade well-soaked, but make sure the water doesn't reach the saw's electrical cord or motor chamber.You will need a hose, spray bottle, or something similar if you are using a regular saw or angle grinder.Adding water to the process will make it easier.There will be water on the countertop.You won't have any problems if you keep the saw's motor above the water.If you stand in puddles of water, keep the cord behind you to eliminate the risk of shock.
Step 19: The cut edges should be wiped off with a rag.
Granite fragments are left on the countertops by wet-cut saws.It is easy to remove with an old rag.Take care of your workspace and countertop.If you worked outdoors, wash the ground with a spray of water from a garden hose.There is standing water left from the cutting process.Move the saw out of the way and wipe it clean before you install the countertop.