Things You'll Need
Circular saw
Diamond-tipped circular saw blade
Carbide-tipped chisel
1.5lb. hammer
Dust mask
Sandstone is a relatively soft stone composed of small particulates. The two most common ways to cut sandstone are with a saw or a chisel. Use a saw if you are cutting slate, or pieces that are thinner than the saw blade itself. For this method, you can simply attach a diamond tipped blade for stone cutting onto your existing circular saw. If you are going for a rougher look, or removing larger, thicker pieces of stone, use a carbide tipped chisel and hammer.
Cut the Sandstone With a Circular Saw
Step 1
Check that the circular saw is unplugged, pull back the safety guard to reveal the blade.
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Step 2
Fasten the blade changing tool supplied with our saw to the bolt on the center of the blade. Hold the blade still with your other hand while loosening the nut by twisting counterclockwise. Take the nut and old blade off.
Step 3
Place the diamond tipped blade on the saw, with the hole in the center over the bolt on the saw. Screw the nut back on with your fingers, tighten with the tool.
Step 4
Mark a straight line on the stone where you wish to cut. Put on your mask to avoid breathing in any harmful dust particles. Sprinkle some water on the stone before cutting to prevent dust from flying up.
Step 5
Turn the saw on and and begin cutting along the line. Go slow to avoid jamming the saw. If you feel tightness in the material or see smoke rising up, pull the saw out and set it aside. Sprinkle a little water on the stone to cool it down and resume cutting.
Cut the Sandstone With a Chisel
Step 1
Mark with a pencil the part of the stone you wish to cut off.
Step 2
Place the carbide tipped chisel, point down into the stone. Pound the chisel into the stone with the hammer. Make small cuts at first, going along the line you drew earlier. Remove some material along this line to act as a guide for the cutting later. If you are cutting a piece off a large block, turn the block on its side and chisel around the sides as well.
Step 3
Continue tapping the chisel into the stone along the lines that you have just flushed out. If the piece that you are cutting out is quite large, go in stages. Tap two notches in the corners of the piece, continue tapping in a line between the notches. Pound the chisel harder than before to start removing larger chunks of stone. Repeat until all of the unwanted material is removed.
Warning
Sandstone dust can be particularly hazardous to your health; always wear a dust mask when cutting with a saw.
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