Cutting pavers is a complex operation in and of itself. You cannot cut the stone with a hammer and chisel or a stone splitter since a more accurate cut is required. With that said, one needs a handy tool to cut pavers, and an angle grinder serves that purpose well. It can cut through various materials, including metal and other dense materials like bricks, stone, concrete, and aluminum.
Instead of a cutting blade, this hand-held power tool has a grinding wheel and can be utilized with various disc types for various applications. For instance, a diamond disc can work more swiftly on rigid metals. Diamond discs cost more, but since they outlast others, they will be less expensive overall than they might appear.
Generally, an angle grinder is adaptable, dependable, and perfect for cutting pavers thanks to its lightweight construction and adjustable handle. Let’s take a look at how to cut curves in pavers with an angle grinder.
Steps on How to Cut Pavers Using an Angle Grinder
1. Assemble All Your Tools and Gear
Before you start chopping, think about getting the necessary equipment. The only tools that will stop small chips and debris from getting into your eyes are safety glasses and a dust mask. Also, get a hard hat and consider using earplugs to protect your ear from the pulsating noise produced by these machines.
2. Select the Correct Angle Grinder
Angle grinders come in various diameters and are made for various tasks. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the size you’ll need for the task. Use a smaller size that doesn’t cut as deeply, such as a 4-1/2-inch one, if you’re working with smaller bricks. To ensure that it can cut as deeply as you need it, use the larger one when installing pavers that are large blocks.
3. Pick Your Disc
The blade that will be cutting through the concrete pavers is the disc. Therefore, you must ensure that your disc is sturdy and of good quality. Like the less expensive ones, you don’t want it to break after only a few jobs. Diamond discs are the most robust and durable alternative, so choosing them is the wisest course of action.
4. Draw Your Cut Line and Set the Paver for Cutting
For this step, you will need a pencil or chalk to mark where you cut the paver. That will be the line you will follow when cutting so that you cut in a straight line.
The paver must be positioned on a flat surface with the end dangling over the edge and the new marked line facing up. Place the paver on the surface of your workbench with the line you will cut extending just past the edge of the table, if you have one. If you don’t have a suitable surface for this, you can lean the paver against a scrap piece of wood with the rope dangling over the edge.
5. Make the Cut
Now that your materials are ready for cutting, you may begin the cutting procedure using the angle grinder. To ensure that the paver stays set and doesn’t move out of place, place one hand on the back end of it first. After that, lean the angle grinder up to the designated line. While holding the paver, you can start cutting and proceed through the line.
When you reach the end, the cut portion of the paver will collapse, leaving you with the correct size paver. Depending on the paver’s thickness, you might need to repeat the cut from the opposite side.
Safety Precautions and Preventive Measures
Angle grinders aren’t the most hazardous tools, but you must use them cautiously. The breaking of abrasive discs and inappropriate equipment use are the leading causes of angle grinder accidents. Here are some common dangers of using angle grinders and their preventive measures.
Sparks
Sparks will fly when an angle grinder is used on metal. Why? The angle grinder generates a lot of friction due to its high speed, producing small metal particles that eject from the metal. Sparks are unquestionably the most prominent risk when using an angle grinder, but they are not as risky as other potential problems.
That does not imply that they are entirely safe. The skin around the face is much more delicate, making contact with sparks much more unpleasant. Your eyes are also naturally susceptible. Therefore, whenever you turn on the angle grinder, use a decent set of safety glasses.
Disc Debris
Abrasive disc cracking is a much more severe risk to be aware of while using your angle grinder. When in use, the abrasive discs for angle grinders may crack. Usually, this would be an inconvenience, but the flying debris can be dangerous because of the speed at which most angle grinders operate. Use a diamond disc if possible, which is a safer alternative. Additionally, always check the disc before using it to ensure there aren’t any cracks or breaks on it.
Kickback
Angle grinders top the list of tools having the hardest recoil to manage out of all the available ones. Kickback by itself isn’t particularly hazardous (although it can cause some soreness depending on how bad it is). What happens if you lose control of the instrument due to the kickback is where the actual risk lies.
The grinder quickly drops; if you lose control, the spinning disc could accidentally harm something or someone. The abrasive disc may also break or shatter as a result. To prevent this, always strive to maintain your angle grinder at or just below waist level. Also, wear leather gloves and ensure that the angle grinder’s safety guard is always intact.
Final Thoughts
Importantly, set up a second point of contact, usually provided by these handle accessories mounted near an angle grinder’s head. Also, only plunge the angle grinder in about half as deep as desired, and then work across the length of the required cut.
It will be helpful while you progressively grind into the slab’s surface using the angle grinder.