Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Reese Baloutine (she/her). Reese Baloutine is an Eco-Friendly Landscape Designer and the Owner of Seedlings Gardening in Austin, Texas. With over 13 years of professional experience, Reese specializes in custom-designed landscapes for residences, focusing on both the aesthetic and environmental impacts of the project. She received her Master of Architecture from Texas Tech University where she graduated with honors.
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How you cut flagstone depends on the size and design in your project—you might chip it with a hammer and chisel, or you could cut it with a circular or wet saw. We'll help you figure out which technique is right for your project!
Steps
Use a hammer and chisel to cut flagstone when accuracy of cut or straight lines are not important.[1]- A hammer and chisel is best to cut or shape flagstone for small projects that do not require accurate cuts, such as a small garden path or a decorative step or bench top.
- If you use a saw to cut every flagstone in the project, the cuts are going to look extremely clean, which might not be the desired result.
- If you don't need a too exact cut, you can use the chisel end of a masonry hammer to score the flagstone instead of using a chisel and a hammer.
Set the flagstone on a solid surface.Advertisement
Measure and draw a line to cut.
Leave a distinct bold line, such as that provided by paver chalk or a piece of roofer's slate.- The measurement must allow for the space made by joint or mortar.
Hammer sharply, but not heavily, on the chisel as you move it along the drawn line in order to score the line.[2]
Continue to score along the line with even pressure.- Allow time for this process, or you may crack or break the stone unintentionally.
Continue to tap the chisel with the hammer along the scored line until stone breaks along the scored line.[3]
Use a circular saw with masonry blade to make regular cuts in the same size for small projects, such as a fireplace hearth.[4]
Clamp the flagstone firmly to a solid surface.
Measure and clearly draw the line to cut.
Begin to saw along the line.
Do not apply pressure to the saw; just allow the weight of the saw to score the stone.- The intent is not to saw through the flagstone; rather, the purpose is to create a significant score in the stone along which repeated blows with a hammer and chisel will break the stone.
Prop the stone that has been scored by the circular saw at an angle on a tool or brick along the bottom side of the flagstone parallel to the scored line.
Tap chisel with hammer sharply along the scored line until piece breaks away.[5]
Cut flagstone with a wet saw if you have a large job or a job that requires accurate cuts or design cuts, such as a patio floor, a pool deck, curves or edging where you want to repeat a color scheme.[6]
Buy or rent a water-fed saw with a diamond edged blade.- Water is fed onto blade so it lubricates the cut and reduces the debris generated by the cut.[7]
Read the assembly and usage directions carefully.[8]
Measure and score the line desired.
Move the stone steadily along the line against the saw blade because on a wet saw the blade does not move.
Push the stone flat, steadily, and slowly through the blade until the cut is complete.
Clean and store tools.
Expert Q&A
Tips
- A pitcher (chisel) distributes a hammer's pressure in several directions to cut at an angle.Thanks
- A bolster (chisel) drives a hammer's pressure straight down to cut a straight line.Thanks
- Masonry saws and wet saws can be rented.Thanks
Warnings
- A circular saw is not recommended because of the high risk of injury; the added expense of the rental of a wet saw is preferable to the risk.Thanks
- Flagstone is brittle and will easily send shards or fragments flying.Thanks
- Purchase a masonry blade with professional input; a bargain here can put you at risk of injury.Thanks
- Wear protective equipment, including ear plugs, heavy duty gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Safety equipment including dust mask, goggles, and gloves.
- Lump hammer, a heavy 2 headed hammer
- Bolster chisel, a broad chisel used for straight cuts
- Pitcher chisel, a thick chisel used for trimming edges
- Paver marker, a chalk used to draw lines
- Masonry blade for circular saw
- Wet saw
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about landscaping, check out our in-depth interview with Reese Baloutine (she/her).
References
- ↑ https://www.thesawguy.com/how-to-cut-flagstone/#Method_1_Hammer_Chisel
- ↑ https://www.dream-yard.com/how-to-install-flagstone.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1Lta0iBhA
- ↑ https://www.thesawguy.com/how-to-cut-flagstone/#Method_2_Circular_Saw
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsSTBlKbg2M
- ↑ https://www.thesawguy.com/how-to-cut-flagstone/#Method_3_Masonry_Saw
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsSTBlKbg2M
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/remodeling/carpentry/how-to-use-a-wet-saw/
- https://www.familyhandyman.com/patio/build-a-flagstone-and-stone-block-patio/
About This Article
The right way to cut flagstone depends on how accurate of a cut you need. For irregular shapes, you can just use a hammer and chisel to break it up into smaller pieces. If you need to cut your flagstone into a regular shape, like a square, score the lines with a masonry blade on a circular saw and then break them with a chisel and hammer. For precise cuts, you'll need to use a wet saw with a diamond edged blade. For more tips, including how to mark your cut lines on your flagstone, read on!
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