Cutting slate and shale - Tools and plant

[charles hazard]

I am planning to veener my homes outer lower walls. I have gotten hold of some old slate in various lengths with a thickness of between half and one inch. Edges are all quite ragged so i want to trim back to straight edges and cut larger sections up into smaller pieces. The design would be polygonal with joints of half an inch.

What would be the best cutting method and can it be done with a hand cutter without using lubricants. The area is large approximately 70 square metres.

[andpartington]

hi
you could have a go with a very heavy duty tile cutter (they do work on clay roof tiles very well) but i expect that you will have uneven cuts on that thickness

best bet ill be a 4.5 or 5in grinder with a diamond blade will cut through like a red hot knife through butter!!!

u might be able to go 1/2 or 2/3 though and snap the rest..
hope my rambles help d:

p.s make sure that you don't bridge the dpc...

andy

[lutonlagerlout]

are you an american living in finland charles?
thought it was only us and the yanks that still use inches
as andy rightly says a diamond cutter will be ideal for you job,make sure and wear the PPE
cheers LLL

[dig dug dan]

hire an electric masonry saw bench. Its faster, easier, more accurate and the water will stop the dust.