how to cut paving blocks to size

Jolaaled

I"m laying a patio at the moment. It's circular, which means there are a lot of gaps!

How do i fill these??..i'm hoping to fill the larger ones with triangular shaped offcuts, but have no idea on how to break up the pavers into the right shape.

I'm hoping i don't have to buy something expensive.

all help gratefully received.

thanks

Ditto

In the past I have used a hammer and chisel, but you could also use a whizzer. Make sure you have an even depth across the paving slab and place it on a raised platform so it will break across the cut you want it to

How thick are the paving slabs, and could you not use gravel to fill the gaps?

110frankie

there are various ways to cut them - although the hammer and chisel is the cheapest. Gravel is a good idea, use a lot and ram it into the gaps with a block of wood - then brush plain cement over the gravel, time and time again, until all the gaps are filled.
No water, no sand. The cement will go off of its own accord and you will have a good solid platform with no weeds popping up thriough the gaps.

Bokken_2

If you are using paviors you will need to hire a pressure cutter.
It is in a frame with a blade(not sharp)across the middle you then screw the blade down and the resulting pressure cuts the pavior.
To tidy up the cuts or make smaller one you should use a diamond tipped grinder either hand held or one already mounted on work bench type frame.
As you make your cuts save all the off cuts in little piles of similar sizes you will find that these off cuts will probably be useful as the job progresses and will save you making several extra cuts it also cuts down on waste at £2 ago that's a good idea.

Filling the gaps?
This will depend on the pattern you have decide to lay.If you are laying rows of paviors similar to a traditional brick wall(English bond) you will only have small gaps at the edge where the circular edge meets the end arris of the pavior.To eliminate this completely you should use the grinder to cut a curve on the pavior where it meets the circular edge.It should then produce a nice curves arch all the way around.
If this become a problem use drive way kerbs or similar which are design to match up into a circle and use them on the top for decrative effect and to hide the small gaps underneath.All gaps should be blinded out using sand and compacted.
hope that's easy enought to follow.

Bokken_2

James's_Dad wrote:

In the past I have used a hammer and chisel, but you could also use a whizzer. Make sure you have an even depth across the paving slab and place it on a raised platform so it will break across the cut you want it to

How thick are the paving slabs, and could you not use gravel to fill the gaps?

You can't do this with paviors they are too hard,using a chisel you'd be there forever.You will not be able to make small cuts using this method and unless you are a experience bricklayer you will not be able to make the cuts you want,use the grinder otherwise you won't finish the project before the winter!

Nile

Whatever method you chose, think of your safety and don't forget to wear personal protective clothing........goggles and gloves as a minimum.;)

Ditto

I'm pretty sure the OP is not using paviors.

I think he is using paving slabs which is why I posted the above method of cutting them.
The majority of circular patios use paving slabs of one form or another, and I think he should be able to cut the angles/complete the job he wants before winter!

djohn2002uk

Well the title of the thread says Blocks and he uses the word Pavers in his original post so the answer is to hire a block cutter for a day.

Jolaaled

thanks...i'm actually using little paving blocks..they're about 3 inches thick. I had them put in professionally in the driveway, but have quite a few left over..hence the patio.
thanks for all your suggestions..i think i'll try the gravel thing as it sounds the cheapest and most manageable. Just hope i can keep the weeds from poking up.

thanks for all your help.

PS.. i'm not a 'he'!

chalky_bertie

Do you mean;-

Or these;-

Just make sure the base under the stone is solid or it will sink in the rain etc

Bokken_2

Jolaaled wrote:

thanks...i'm actually using little paving blocks..they're about 3 inches thick. I had them put in professionally in the driveway, but have quite a few left over..hence the patio.
thanks for all your suggestions..i think i'll try the gravel thing as it sounds the cheapest and most manageable. Just hope i can keep the weeds from poking up.

thanks for all your help.

PS.. i'm not a 'he'!

Get yourself down to B&Q for some netlon it is black come on a small managable roll and you lay it onthe soil and the the gravel on the top.
This stops the weeds growing through.
Oh yeah it is not expensive. Measure the area of the patio in sq m first so you buy just enough.