Cutting pavers with a 7 1/2" handheld saw

[the_matrix_guy]

Hi, I know this is not the ideal tool to cut pavers but do you guys think i could get away with cutting them with masonry blades? I have a 7 1/2 handheld wired Makita. This will be my first time doing pavers.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Best regards

[Flounder]

You are going to make a lot of dust that will get all through your saw. If you can do them wet it would help.

[Chuck E Ducky]

How many you cutting? I would rent a saw.

[the_matrix_guy]

You are going to make a lot of dust that will get all through your saw. If you can do them wet it would help.

Thanks for the input.

How many you cutting? I would rent a saw.

I'm doing a rear patio area of about 700-800 Sq ft. in a herringbone layout so it would basically be the whole perimeter where I have to fill the ends.

[the_matrix_guy]

I might just have them installed too cause frankly, we want a medallion layout in the middle and the whole project is now sounding like a huge pain in my ass...lol

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s a lot of cuts to do by hand. I would rent a saw for sure. It’s easy laying them as long as you start with a good base. But that design = lots of cuts. Cuts you don’t want to do by hand. Not that you can’t but your not going to want to.

[Grendel]

Or not cut them, score them with a grinder and snap them off with a wide chisel. It is pretty easy to do and makes a pretty clean "cut".

[maggot]

That's what I did this summer. Scored with a small chisel and one good whack with a large one. You don't end up with a lot of precision, but split pavers are usually going on the sides anyways so it worked well for me. After some practice I was splitting these things in about 30 seconds each.

[mtaylor]

I spent a week cutting concrete with a circular saw when I was working construction. It worked ok, but it was someone else’s saw. I had someone following me with a shop vac to catch dust, too.

[the_matrix_guy]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. I figure a Makita 7' circular saw would work better than a grinder? How deep did you guys dig the bed for the pavers and how many inches of sand did you compact? Did you guys rent a compactor or did you compact it by hand with a manual tamper?

Much obliged for all the input

[Mr. Hick]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone. I figure a Makita 7' circular saw would work better than a grinder? How deep did you guys dig the bed for the pavers and how many inches of sand did you compact? Did you guys rent a compactor or did you compact it by hand with a manual tamper?

Much obliged for all the input

Where do you live? Soil compaction is based almost entirely on your location. If you want to do this whole project by hand you could very easily be looking at 80hrs of work, by yourself before you cut or lay a single paver
.

[Flounder]

This is a decent video with some good info. I would rent a plate vibrator instead of the hand tamper but it is all about your budget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGU8a16XEkA

[ghilliesuit]

Abrasive masonry blades work pretty well. Just make sure you get one rated for the correct RPM of your circular saw and you should be good to go. Also, something that you can clamp them down to while you cut can help. Water will help the dust, as well as a shop vac can be used in lieu of water to catch some of the dust

Mitigate the dust. Use a GFCI outlet if using water, if possible. Wear a respirator while making your cuts. Wear an impact rated face shield while making your cuts. Create the project of your dreams without spending $$$ more than you have to.

[the_matrix_guy]

Where do you live? Soil compaction is based almost entirely on your location. If you want to do this whole project by hand you could very easily be looking at 80hrs of work, by yourself before you cut or lay a single paver
.

I'm in South Florida.

This is a decent video with some good info. I would rent a plate vibrator instead of the hand tamper but it is all about your budget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGU8a16XEkA

I definitely want to keep costs down because we also have other projects in mind so we want to stretch every dollar. We are also doing a bathroom remodel and that's something that will eat up most of the budget for right now. That being said, I can appreciate using the right tools for the job,but i feel like I can compact it myself by tampering it manually. I mean, im in good shape, i would just look at it as a workout lol

Thanks for the video.

Abrasive masonry blades work pretty well. Just make sure you get one rated for the correct RPM of your circular saw and you should be good to go. Also, something that you can clamp them down to while you cut can help. Water will help the dust, as well as a shop vac can be used in lieu of water to catch some of the dust

Mitigate the dust. Use a GFCI outlet if using water, if possible. Wear a respirator while making your cuts. Wear an impact rated face shield while making your cuts. Create the project of your dreams without spending $$$ more than you have to.

I am thinking of investing in a proper professional wet masonry block / tile cutter, to be honest. Cause we also want to re-tile a bathroom ourselves, i feel like its worth it. Especially considering that we would also do pavers for the front driveway eventually. It would make cutting way easier, cleaner, and precise. And cleaner in both regards, in the cuts and mess-wise.

[ghilliesuit]

I am thinking of investing in a proper professional wet masonry block / tile cutter, to be honest. Cause we also want to re-tile a bathroom ourselves, i feel like its worth it. Especially considering that we would also do pavers on the front driveway eventually.

The right tool for the right job - is always the right thing to do. Harbor Freight sells a cheap one that would get you through what you need for something like $70. Add on a %20 off coupon and that's a pretty good deal. Especially for a specialty tool. Then you can get a decent blade and your off to the races. Either way, good luck.

Edit on the saw recommendation: not sure what thickness you are cutting through. Depending on the paver thickness HF has some other offerings. Here is a link to the coupon

[the_matrix_guy]

Do you guys have recommendations regarding a wet tile/brick cutter? Is the Dewalt worth it at around $850-900? I saw some lesser known brands for around 500-550

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-1...000S/203054774