Cutting paving stones

The amount of dust is "surprising" and I wouldn't want the grit to get into my circular saw. Hiring a wet-cut grinder for half a day probably wouldn't break the bank and would be a much more pleasant way of doing the job. Alternatively, I've used (with care) a *small* amount of water to do a similar job with a dry grinder and it makes a big difference to the dust. If you want a straight edge: use a straight board to define the edge position and run the grinder (wet or dry) down it. Either weight the board, or glue or screw it (temporarily) to something suitable. BTW - cut all the way through if you want a good edge, and use a diamond blade.

Hire a Stihl saw with appropriate blade and go right through. Quick and easy and a neat edge.

Just cut along a batten... The mechanism and bearings of a circular say may not care for masonry dust!

Going all the way through will give a cleaner edge.

However that may or may not be what you want. If you want a more "natural" edge, then partial cut and snap, followed by a bit of chisel work to distress the neat cut bit into something more rustic.

(the normal reason for a partial cut is for reduced time, cost, tool wear etc - none of which really matter for a one off.

Should be fairly easy to cut...

This will need a diamond blade and probably some water... whether on a saw or an angle grinder is up to you.

At that thickness I wouldn't faff around - *hire* something *man sized*. Probably a diamond bladed concrete saw is what you need.

Won't you be charged for the blade at some extortionate price, plus half a day's hire won't be far off the price of a new machine?

Seriously consider extending the support under the slabs to avoid cutting them.

It would be easy enough with a 9" grinder...

Not sure how well that would work with overhanging the edge of a raised patio.

Most of those are desisnged to work well on something on the ground so you would have a problem supporting it on an edge like that.

This was the original plan, i'm in a CBA sort of mood of late.

Are they laid? If not, I used my wet tile cutter for this - made a frame to support the larger stones. You don't need to cut all the way through, though.

He can borrow mine for free.

Definitely not.

I hired one of these (big diamond angle grinder with 110v supply) for cutting just two sandstone slabs. took me 15 minutes., When I to took it back in bloke said 'problem?' 'No' I said 'finished'. There was so little blade wear he only charged me £7.50 rental....a few years back mind you

OTOH after 10 days hiring a tile saw, it was worth simply buying it.

I had assumed from the wording that they were laid, in which case a "tile cutter" would be no use.

If they are *not* laid yet, then don't cut the "exposed" edge, cut along the "grouted" edge then any grinder wandering will be barely noticeable.

I've an angle grinder and my neighbour has a Stihl, I was concerned about getting a decent straight line.

I find if you cut along a batten, and do a light "scoring" pass first, you can check your line and correct if necessary before fully committing to the selected cut.

This is why I was thinking of using the cirular saw, easier to follow the straight edge, i'll have a test run and cut them leaving them too big.

Also worth looking at:

I clamped a piece of wood in place and using that as a guide for the disc cover on the grinder I got better results than I was hoping for.

All with a cheapo Lidl 4 1/2 inch grinder, and one of a 4 pack of discs they were selling for not a lot of money.

It's often the jobs you dread and obsess about turn into the easy ones whereas the "10 minute jobs".....