"perfect" cuts

[jonnyboyentire]

Hi all.

Been off-forum for a bit but hoping to stay around as a contributor, giving back etc (I am active on several others).

I am about to lay 60-odd metres of Strata Cathedral sandstone, I do like it, quite uniform sizes, similar thicknesses, and its not too riven, the last two I did in this stuff looked the dogs...

We have built some adjacent blockwork walls, the idea was a contemporary feel, the renderer is here next week. Initially the plan was to render face top and top of rear where seen, using stainless beads so it doesnt blow. Now we have a spec change to a more mediterranean feel so the idea is to create a coping out of the same stuff as the patio BUT it needs to have a perfect sawn edge front and back. We've got about 13m linear to do and will either use the 600's or the 900's to cut. As its contemporary(ish) the cuts have to be 100% perfect. I am a perfectionist anyway and am a dab hand with the Stihl saw, but am not going to get it perfect freehand, I doubt anyone would. My hire guy suggested an oversize tile cutter but the fact these flags will have slightly riven backs will prevent, I think, a perfectly vertical cut every time (due to rocking etc.

Anyone ever approached something like this before?

Many thanks.

[Pablo]

If you cut the flags face down they would be near as damnit vertical. You could get a pro to cut them or try someone who makes Gravestones. I understand it's your call but there are 200 better looking ways to finish a wall than with a thin flag thats not intended to be used for coping. I think it looks like you've made do with a cheap option rather than use something fit for purpose. Copings need to be thick and meaty just Like LLL. :laugh:



Edited By Pablo on 1282852742

[jonnyboyentire]

I agree - the problem I have is that the paving is a definite, its on order. I am a can-do rather than a can't do type so I won't say no to the customer, who wants it to look like the the paving (why did they only show a wet pic in the brochure??) :-

http://stratastones.co.uk/product_details/indian-sandstone/cathedral

I'd considered using a bullnosed step but again its the colour.

I had thought about upside down cutting but as its contemporary I was concerned about chipped edges. I would probably use the 840's as they do tend to be a lot thicker (and this range does tend not to be too diverse in thickness out of the crate I've found).

All that said I'm open to suggestions!!!! Cheers

[GB_Groundworks]

for the cuts, get a table mounted saw with a slide table with water supression, clipper style.

now for the the cuts you could try some thin polystrene type material that will accommodate the riven surface

or sand maybe? thats what id be thinking

as for the look your not a designer just the implementer i guess, but if you can think of something better suggest it,

we did a hot tub built into a patio, they wanted a flag edge, circular hot tub this is. i tried getting circle kits to fit etc or get them cut, but i suggested using 100x100 sets in a mosaic. lot easier to lay and achieve a good look.

[Pablo]

Strategically placed foam on the cutter deck should remove the rock and keep things level.

[Pablo]

Beat me to it Giles

[mickg]

either hire a clipper wet saw which I'm sure will cut 600mm

if your good with a Stihl saw get a piece of 2 x 1 timber and cramp it to the flag to the required size, put the flag on a bed of sand to stop it from rocking and run the saw down the edge of the timber making sure you keep the saw at 90 degree's to the face of the flag

or contact these guys to cut it for you which is near where your based...i think
the stone yard

[jonnyboyentire]

All good guys, thanks so far.

Nice job that looks Giles, it was an option for this client but it will be an overground tub I reckon in the end. Shame cos I've got a spare plastic tub here just needs re-tubing and a clean, never mind

I've amended my sig. to show location - Mickg, thanks, Taunton is about 110 miles if I recall correctly, did a job for a mate there once, what a pain getting materials

[jonnyboyentire]

Off topic, Giles, how did you cope with the pump and the heater on that tub? did you have a manhole hidden somewhere with the control gear in?

[mickg]

Stonescapes Ltd

Yew Tree Nursery Guildford Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8PA

01483 278328

[GB_Groundworks]

steel lintel plate made to curve like the tub, first one in 10mm steel flexed and cracked the mosiac when tested with my bulk oops haha, welded 2 angle iron strengthners on it.

side note the hidden man hole cover was a product test i did for tony first ones in the country, and it that one in the travis perkins catalogue

[jonnyboyentire]

Nice job that.

I used one of those manholes last month !!!! I modded it slightly as its on wet ground, I drilled a few extra drainage holes and lined it with geotex to keep the sewer clean

[lutonlagerlout]

If you cut the flags face down they would be near as damnit vertical. You could get a pro to cut them or try someone who makes Gravestones. I understand it's your call but there are 200 better looking ways to finish a wall than with a thin flag thats not intended to be used for coping. I think it looks like you've made do with a cheap option rather than use something fit for purpose. Copings need to be thick and meaty just Like LLL. :laugh:

i didn't know you had seen me in the toilet pablo??

"a hungry eye sees far " as they say :;):

LLL

[lutonlagerlout]

just my two penny worth

a coping is designed to expel water from the face of the wall

a piece of flag has no drips in it,so water will inevitably run under the cut flag and down your new render
there are loads of lovely copings out there , or even tile creasing details

using flags/slabs on walls is pikeyville,same as using concrete block paving as bricks

if you have to do it,put plenty of sbr in the mix

LLL