How easy is it to cut granite?

mhuk · 16 March 2005 at 1:35PM

Hello,

how easy is it to cut granite? Should I attempt to do the hob cut-out myself or pay the mason to do it? I have some diamond edged angle grinder blades..

Thanks

divadee · 16 March 2005 at 1:38PM

in my old house i had granite worktops, and never would of attempted to cut it out myself. nor would mr divadee who is very good at diy.

They are so expensive to buy that if you make a mistake it would be more expensive than getting a mason to do it.

but if you decide to go for it let us know how you get on.

Simont_3 · 16 March 2005 at 1:58PM

It is not a job for an amateur! My advice would be to make a template out of plywood. Take the template to you granite supplier and they will cut it to exactly match your template. Some granite suppliers will make the template for you at a price. Also remember that granite is extremely heavy so for a 3m worktop make sure you have four or six strong friends to help lift it in place.

Have you considered something like Corian which is slightly dearer than granite but looks superb and is easier for the professionals to work with (still not a DIY job I'm afraid)

Hope this helps.

skiddy2k · 16 March 2005 at 3:52PM

no chance mate, dont even think about it!
take to a specialist cutter, you may be able to find them in yellow pages.

mhuk · 17 March 2005 at 3:08PM

Thanks for the replies. Have any of you attempted it or work with stone?

I already have the granite, just deciding whether to pay for a cut-out or do it myself.

This guide reckons it is DIYable:

http://www.alistairmackintosh.co.uk/NewFiles/Granite%20Worktops%20fitting%20guide.html

The kitchen fitting & plumbing I can do (used to be a fitter/ plumber)....

I'll look for a granite chopping board in a charity shop and have a practice- if it goes wrong I'll pay the mason.

plumb1_2 · 17 March 2005 at 9:14PM

make sure you use a Diamond blade for a wet cut,rather than dry.
Much easier to cut with,you will need to spray plenty of water onto the cut,get one of those garden spray bottles what pressurize,and someone to spray it while you cut.
Make sure the worktop is supported below(plywood)and mark your cutt with gaffer/masking tape.Make a 5mm cutt allround 1st,then cutt each side all the way through.
Buy a quality blade

nearlyrich · 17 March 2005 at 9:43PM

I agree it's too expensive to muck up, our kitchen supplier thought he'd made a mistake with the positioning of our sink when it arrived, it was OK but if it had been wrong they would have had to change all the worktops as the pattern would be wrong. It was pretty tense for a while as I think the cost of 7m of granite with an undermounted bowl and a half sink in the right place would be more than they made on the deal.

[Deleted User] · 19 March 2005 at 1:22PM

Why not try a small practice hole in the middle first, and then open it out if all goes well. If it doesn't you've lost nowt, and can still take it to a mason.

mhuk · 29 March 2005 at 10:30AM

Tried it on a granite tile with a garden hose dripping on it- cut it fine.

Might do the hob cut-out but will get the long cuts done by the mason.

Mr_Vee · 10 April 2006 at 1:21PM

mhuk wrote:

Thanks for the replies. Have any of you attempted it or work with stone?

I already have the granite, just deciding whether to pay for a cut-out or do it myself.

This guide reckons it is DIYable:

http://www.alistairmackintosh.co.uk/NewFiles/Granite%20Worktops%20fitting%20guide.html

The kitchen fitting & plumbing I can do (used to be a fitter/ plumber)....

I'll look for a granite chopping board in a charity shop and have a practice- if it goes wrong I'll pay the mason.

MHUK - not sure if you know already but its worthwhile noting that the DIY guide guy is showing how to fit a (in my opinion and im sure many other's) a "cheapo" option - where the granite is mounted onto MDF.

The better option ofcourse is SOLID granite stone. which goes straight onto the cabinets beneath and is held by brackets/ glue (i think...?)

Nile · 10 April 2006 at 2:15PM

Hello Mr Vee

Welcome to the MSE site.:wave:

How easy is it to cut granite?

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