Marble cutting is difficult for anyone, even experienced DIYers.
The project is more challenging than others, and any mistakes you make could lead to the destruction of expensive materials.
This seemingly daunting task can be made easier with the right tools, and a little knowledge.
This is how you cut marble without making costly mistakes.
What You’ll Need
A wet saw is the best tool for cutting marble.
Wet saws can be expensive and require specialized tools that DIYers don’t have. A circular saw is the best tool, even if you don’t rent or purchase a wetsaw.
Here’s what you need:
Stay Safe
It is important to use the correct safety gear for cutting marble, just like any DIY project.
It is important to have good hearing and eyes protection, as well as sturdy gloves. You can take your safety to the next level by purchasing a set of work coveralls.
Before you make any cuts, ensure that the marble you are working with is placed on a stable surface.
The best setup is the one with two sawhorses and rigid foam (with plywood and rigid foam), although smaller pieces can be cut on the grass.
Remember that marble should not be cut in small pieces. Northside Tool Rental recommends keeping your cuts to two inches. If you need larger cuts, call the professionals.
Step 1: Get Ready For The Cut
It is important to prepare well before cutting your marble slab.
The first step is to set up the marble slab. To create a worktable, place a plywood sheet over two sawhorses.
A 5 cm thick piece rigid foam is a good choice to place on top of plywood. This gives marble a smoother surface to rest on to avoid any damage.
Set the marble slab carefully on top of the foam.
This sawhorse setup is not necessary to cut smaller pieces of marble. You can, for example, cut small marble countertops for your bathroom vanity on a flat area of grass.
Preparing the marble is just as important as taking your measurements.
Tape off the edge to be cut using masking tape first. This will reduce the chance of the edge of cut marble being damaged.
Then I measure and mark my marks on the masking tape.
Set up your circular saw to make the cut. You won’t be using a wetsaw so you need to make sure that the water trickles over the blade. To ensure that my hose doesn’t move during cutting, I clamp it in place.
* Always use a specially rated diamond blade for cutting marble.
Step II: Make The Cut
Once everything is prepared, you can begin cutting.
Slowly move the circular saw across the area. Don’t rush. Take your time. Ensure that the water hose cools the front of your diamond blade throughout the entire cutting process.
Step 3: Sand The Edge And Finish It
It is possible that the edge of your cut will be quite rough.
Take off the masking tape, and use your orbital sander to smoothen the edges. You will work your way up from coarser sandpaper to finer.
For the best finish, I usually work with 40-grit sandpaper to 400-grit.
Alternative Method: Wet Saw
It is much simpler to cut marble with a wet saw.
These power tools are specifically made to cut marble, tile and other hard materials. They also come with a water-cooled diamond knife.
Water-cooled blades eliminate the need to use a garden hose. You will have much more control over your cuts.
You don’t have to purchase a wet saw, but you might be interested in renting them from a local home improvement store.
Last Thoughts
It is not difficult to learn how to cut marble.
It is possible with the right tools, knowledge and skills. Although a wet saw is the best tool, you can use the circular saw method above to get the job done safely.
Keep your cuts to a maximum of a few inches and call the experts for full seam cuts. This will ensure that you don’t crack or break the marble slab.
