Help cutting concrete pavers!

[maggot]

Hi All,
Am new to this great site seems packed with info but I have a question about cutting concrete block pavers.

I am going to try my first diy paving project laying mowing strips round the garden with concrete pavers (200mm edge at right angles to bed egde).

However I want to go round a flower bed which has quite a tight radius (600mm) which means I will have big gaps on the ouside edge unles I cut the pavers.

My question is before i head to a hire shop whats the best tool to cut 3deg slices off the pavers edge to shape them properly. Bearing in mind I am a complete novice, is it hand tools, disc cutter or splitter?

Thanks for any help....

[Wills gardens]

if you have a grinder already? just buy a diamond disc for it for cutting stone. use a 9'' for bigger cuts or a 4'' for curved stuff, just watch the dust

[Dave_L]

Petrol power saw will be your best bet with a 300mm blade - safety first, plenty of water and goggles.

I wouldn't use a 240v grinder, makes using water dodgy!

[Wills gardens]

Electric + Water = Ouchy

[maggot]

Thanks for the info lads

Ok so a petrol cutter i can hire as i don't have an angle grinder,

Might be a stupid question but what do you use to hold the brick while cutting??

Do the splitters not cut slithers off pavers to well then, are they more for cutting them half etc??

[Mikey_C]

you can't use a splitter for cutting a long slither of a block.

i use my foot (with a steel toe cap boot on) to hold the block but i think the the hse would have a hairy fit if they saw it.

[Wills gardens]

As above use your foot, wear strong boots or steel toes though, i guess you could clamp it onto a workbench if you really wanted but for ease and quickness floor, foot on the top and cut away (the block and NOT your foot)

[irishpaving]

Also dont cut on any of your paving etc, Get some board underneath. And keep hands etc well away from the blade when running. :;):

[Dave_L]

Ear and eye protection required!

[lutonlagerlout]

cutting blocks for DIYers is a complete fail
better to fill the joints with mortar
I hate to see ppl with 8 toes
LLL

[seanandruby]

You can nail a stop to a board so that the block does'nt kick back, then a piece of timber sloping from the ground to the brick, held down with your foot on the timber usually holds the block in place.

[Bob_A]

Not a suggestion but more of an idea that I'd like to run past the pro's.
The original poster needs to cut some blocks for his flower bed. Asssuming this is a modest flower bed than he shouldn't need to cut too many blocks.
Could he do this with an electric 9" angle gringer without water.
Ok they'd be dust but I'm assuning he hasnt got that many blocks to cut.
Why an 9" grinder?. Well it might be slower but for someone with no previous experiencec wouldn't it be easier and safer to handle?

[GB_Groundworks]

i find the cut off saws (stihl ts410 etc) a lot safer to use than a 9" grinder, grinders tend to thrust on power on etc hands are a lot further away on a cut off saw.

if he does as advised keeps his feet well apart and uses a stop pieces of wood, in the past on really detailed cuts i've used a small piece of angle iron and 2 quick clamps, have the angle about 3 times the length of the block so the clamps are out the way then use on a raised surface like a pallet. keeps hands and feet well away from the blade and disaster.

as described gloves, ear and eye, mask, and if wet cutting water proof trousers and wellies.

if wet cutting marking with pencil doesn't work as it tends to wash it away.

[rab1]

i`m the complete opposite giles, preferred using a grinder for cutting to a sthil saw. felt much more in control with a grinder than with the partner 1250 my brother lent me. but then again he`s of the same opinion as yourself. :;):

[seanandruby]

Also it is against the law to dry cut, not to mention a potential health risk. It causes Potter's rot ( silicosis ) which is a disease of the lungs, that will eventually see you off.