How To Cut Concrete Pavers?

Pavers are the best alternatives for a block of plain concrete. You can use pavers in place of any brick, stone, and concrete. It has a feature of visual textures. You can create these visual textures to any patios, walkaways, or any driveways. They are very friendly. It is very flexible to use them. You need to cut some parts that you want to fit. You can use any standard metal cutting tool. Chisel and hammer are enough if you are working with less part of pavers. But if you want to work with a large part of pavers, then you have to use heavy-duty cutting tools.

In that case, you can use any power saw like a circular saw or angle grinder. This article will help you to choose the right tool for pavers’ cutting. If you want to learn the procedure of how to cut concrete pavers, then this article is right for you. Let’s see the article in-depth and understand the procedure.

Contents

How To Cut Concrete Pavers- Step By Step Process

There are various possible methods to cut concrete pavers. Every other person follows a different way. Some people are comfortable in one method, and some are comfortable in another method. You should analyze your capability in choosing the right method for you. Here, we will be mentioning a general approach that you all can follow. It does not require any pre-requisites.

If you are doing it the first time, then also you can follow these steps without any difficulties. Once you master this approach, then you can go for another method. You can reduce many steps and complete your job. But this will need some experience and effort.
Let’s have a look in the following procedure:

Total Time: 1 Hour

Step 1: Preparation Of Workspace

In all the articles, we specify this step. You should not take it lightly. This plays a key role in your work atmosphere. Always have a better workspace around you. In this step, you need to find a proper workspace for your cutting process. A proper place will secure your necessary tools and devices. Search for a place where you can keep your cutting related things safely. See for appropriate ventilation. It will prevent any damage from fire hazards. While working, you can expect some weather changes at your place. Be prepared for any such changes. Get equipped with all the safety measures. You will be having many disturbances while working. Try to get a place where less crowd is there. This will provide you peace and concentration while working. So, get a safer and better place. It is better if it is near your home.

Step 2: Your Safety

Think about your safety first while doing the cutting practices. There will be many particles coming out during the cutting concrete pavers. And you are working with solid concrete. You have to protect your body parts from all the harmful particles. Wear safety goggles and then a Face shield. If you cover your face online with a face shield, then the particles may enter your eyes. And you cannot notice them. Also, if you will wear only goggles, then you cannot protect your complete face. So, pair them up while using. Wear hand gloves, significantly while cutting the concrete paver.

This will help you in keeping your hands safe. You are working in a cutting environment. If you do not take care of your hand, then you may end up harming them. Whether you are doing the measuring work or cutting work, cover your hands. If you are going to buy new gloves, then buy the ones that come with proper gripping. This will help you told the tools and devices firmly.

Step 3: Measurement Taking

Here, you have to measure the space along your sidewalk. You can measure the patio layout also. Search a proper patio where you want to install your concrete paver. After making the proper measurements of layout, transfer the measurements to the paper. You need to follow these measurements while cutting. Every measurement should be verified twice—this thing you need to do before the cutting step. After verifying the measurements, you will get some satisfaction for cutting your paper. Draw the cutting line on the paper using the carpenter’s pencil.

We prefer this pencil because it works darker. Markers will not work with concrete surfaces. Draw all the cut lines with full clarity. Do these markings on each face of the paver. Use the front, back, and sides of the paver for marking lines. The cutting line should be continuous through all faces. While scoring the edges, you need to have a proper continuation of each cutting line. If you want, you can also use masking tape here. It will visible in a better way than a pencil.

Step 4: Preparing The Paver For Cutting

After making all the necessary cutting lines, come to this step. This step is the soul of this article. If you do this step carefully, then you will complete half of your process. But in this step, you should take extra care of yourself. Use proper safety types of equipment if you were not using it before. In this process, you need to make a proper grip with the paver using your hand.
Now, lay down the paver on workbench or sawhorse. Here the workbench should have a flat surface. It is better if you arrange for a plywood surface. You can place this plywood piece on your sawhorse or workbench. Now place the sharp blade of the cold chisel on the cutting line. Now tap the other end of this chisel using a hammer. Do this with proper care and gently.
Doing this, you will be able to get a scored paver. It will score the groove in the paver.

Now move the chisel along the whole cutting line. Now you are ready with the groove of sufficient depth. The amount of time in this process depends on the hardness of the paver. If the concrete paver is very hard, then you have to do this process two to three times to get a proper groove.
Do not worry. Be patient during this process because you cannot commit any mistake in this step. Avoid the hard smacking of chisel while working with it. If you do not take off this thing, then the paver can be chipped off. You need to prevent this unwanted chipping.

Step 5: Cut Concrete Pavers

Here, you have to place your concrete paver on the workbench. You can use a proper flat surface for this step. There should not be any uneven place below the paver. After scoring the paver, you place it on the ground initially. Now use your brick set chisel. We are assuming that you are working with a large part of the concrete paver. So, here we will describe the step accordingly. Well, if your paver part is small, then also you can use this step. But change the tools into lighter ones. Before going into this step, make sure that you have scored the concrete paver nicely.

It should be perfectly scored. If not, then go back to complete the scoring. Now, after that, come to this step. Get your brick set chisel. Place it in the center of the groove. This type of chisel has a broader blade and a big hammerhead area. The hammerhead is at the end of the chisel. So, it is a multipurpose chisel. You can eliminate the use of a hammer while using this chisel.
If you don’t have one, then you can use an ordinary chisel and hammer. Now use the hammerhead. Hit the head with the paver. It should break the paver into two different parts. If you are not able to do this, then make use of a cold chisel. Use this to score the outline of cutting. And then perform this step again. You should be able to get the two parts of the concrete paver separately.

Step 6: Chipping Of Unwanted Parts

This is the last step of a well-completed cutting process. You cannot skip this step. You are working with a concrete paver. You cannot do the cutting of the concrete paver with complete finishing. It is a little rough surface. Any heavy-duty saw cannot provide a proper finishing during any cut. You need to complete your cutting process with that condition only. But you can do all types of perfection in this step. If you think that there are extra protruding parts in your concrete paver, then use a chisel. You can remove all the different parts using a chisel.

Chisels are useful in making an uneven surface into a smooth one. If you have to remove the parts from the center of the paver, then chisels are the best option. Now to work with edges, you need to use a shop filer. Now you can make use of your finishing tools here. Hold the filer by both the hands.

Place the paper on your workbench. Fix the paver using clamps or any heavy object. Now, use the filer on your paver. Make sure that the concrete paver is not placed horizontally. It should be placed perpendicular to the workbench. Then you will be able to do the filing operation with ease. Try to put more effort and pressure to get more finishing. You can also use a debugger in place of the filer. That will be much easier to use.

Things You Need To Cut Concrete Pavers

Hammer
Cold chisel
Carpenter’s pencil
Straight edge
Measuring tape
Safety goggles
Working gloves
Respirator
Hearing protection
Circular saw ( check out one ) or Angle grinder

Tips

Be careful while cutting
Measurements should be accurate
Do the measurement twice before cutting
Wear safety goggles and hand gloves
Prepare a proper workspace
Have some extra saw blades ready
Use chisel for right cuts in smaller parts
Use filer for edge finishing

FAQs

1. Which power saw can we use for a large part of concrete pavers?

If you are working with large parts of the paper, then you should use heavy-duty cutting tools. Some of the popular power saws are circular saw and Angular grinder. Among these, you can prefer an angle grinder. It will give you more flexibility while working.

2. Can we do this cutting task at our home?

Yes, you can start your cutting process at your home also. You need not go anywhere. If you are working at home, then try to prepare your workspace properly. Do not try to start your cutting process randomly.

3. Which device can we use to remove extra parts of the paver after cutting?

You can use a shop filer or debugger for this task. If you are using a debugger, then it will be much easier for you to work. You need to put more effort when using a filer.

4. Which type of saw blade works best to cut concrete pavers?

For such types of cutting, we need some strong blades. For any concrete cut, a regular blade won’t be much useful. We need to use a diamond-tipped blade. It comes with high strength. These are a little expensive, but you can go for these types of blades for better results.

5. How can we make a 90 degree mitered corner?

To make a 90 degree cut, you can cut a 45-degree angle on two blocks. Paste these two sides by using some adhesive. These will act as a properly finished corner.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to cut concrete pavers is not so difficult. It is effortless if you know the right path to do it. You can complete your work with just a few tools. You do not need any specialized tools for this. The information provided in this article should clear your concept about the right cutting process. You need a good guide to proceed in the right direction. Whenever you search for an article or tutorial, make sure that you are not following any complicated one. If you don’t like concrete you can check the comparison between concrete, mortar and cement.

One important thing while working is your safety. Protect your body from any cutting hazards. You need to work with the utmost care and attention with power tools. I hope you have gained some useful knowledge from this article. Now you can cut your concrete paver easily. You need some practice to get perfection.