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Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:40 pm
by birdley123
I need some help. I'm trying to lay some flagstone stair treads and I'm having a HORRID time getting them cut straight. I think its called rocky mntn. rose flagstone (red) and no matter what i try it won't follow my score line. I've even cut half way through the back with a diamond bladed grinder, and when it breaks, it breaks +- 90˚ from the score line? I'm only dealing with four small steps and i'll be done forever!! I could use some pointers that actually work!
Thanx!
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:51 pm
by lutonlagerlout
get someone to hold a piece of timber along the line of your cut then cut with the diamond blade tight to the timber profile
cheers LLL
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:12 pm
by birdley123
Thats what i've done! But when i go to break it apart, it wants to travel its "own" way 
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:35 pm
by henpecked
Your breaking sandstone and the layers are still binding where you have not cut. Eiher, cut through all the way, or tidy cut line with grinder after its 'broke' try and have the tidy cut line on top, so if you make a hash of the tidying, you can hide it with pointing.
Hp
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:40 pm
by birdley123
help me; "tidying"??? I'm trying to avoid a saw type cut line.
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:54 pm
by GB_Groundworks
Use the saw cut at the back of the step or cut 90% of the flag then split,
Use a pitching chisel to split it accurately
Find some one with a hydraulic stone splitter to split it
Cut it and fetle the cut edge to give a split look
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:29 pm
by lutonlagerlout
if you ar ecuuting with a hammer and pitcher its best to have the flag on some soft sand to avoid cracking
but even if you saw all the way with a diamond saw its a 5 minute job to "fettle " the edges after
TBH i prefer the neat saw cut at the back of the tread and leave the rougher end on the lip
LLL
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:39 pm
by birdley123
thanks. Whats the best chisel type to use to fettle an edge?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:58 pm
by lutonlagerlout
uk pitcher
something like this but local to you
LLL
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:00 pm
by birdley123
I FIGURED IT OUT! I was hitting the hammer too hard. As soon as I started using softer blows, it worked like a charm!
So i guess less really IS more!
Thanks all... 
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:33 pm
by henpecked
birdley123 wrote:
So i guess less really IS more!
thats what I keep telling the wife....
:laugh: :laugh:
