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How to cut slate tiles with a circular saw
A circular saw is a common tool that can be used to cut slate tiles, as long as you have the right blade and technique. A circular saw is a good option if you have a few slate tiles to cut, or if you don’t have access to a wet saw. However, there are some drawbacks and risks to using a circular saw for cutting slate tiles. Here are some things to consider before you start:
- A circular saw is not designed for wet cutting, which means you cannot use water to cool down the blade and the tile. This can cause the blade to overheat and wear out faster, as well as create a lot of dust and noise. To prevent this, you need to use a diamond blade that is suitable for dry cutting soft stones like slate. You also need to make shallow cuts and stop frequently to let the blade cool down.
- There is a lack of precision or accuracy on circular saws. This means you may end up with uneven or jagged edges on your slate tiles. To avoid this, you need to mark the cutting line with a pencil and a straight edge, and follow it carefully with the saw.
- For safety use goggles. The dust and debris that are generated by the saw can damage your eyes, lungs and skin. You can also add a respirator mask, gloves and ear plugs. Try to be in a very well-ventilated area.
How to cut slate tiles
One of the reasons why slate tiles have always been so in demand is thanks to its composition, that makes it simple to split them into soft and thin sheets. This material is also known for its resistance to high temperatures, because when it is too cold, materials tend to expand and contract until they crack, but slate resist. Moreover, it is fire and waterproof, absorbing practically no water.
Even though it resists so much, slate is still a smooth type of stone. That is why cutting slate slabs or tiles can be challenging if you are not equipped with the proper tools. Other aspects to keep in mind before cutting slate, is to decide how large and thick are the tiles you want to cut, and how many of them you have.
How to cut slate tile with a circular saw
If you don’t have a specific wet saw for cutting tile and you don’t want to make that investment, sometimes you will be able to replace it with another tool. In this part of the article, we will explain how to cut slate slab with a circular saw. But first, there are a few aspects you need to consider:
If you have too many slate tiles or if the ones you need to cut are too thick, you will probably waste a lot of time and the task can be frustrating and cumbersome, so in this case we would recommend renting a tile saw.
Make sure you use a proper diamond blade designed for soft stones like slate in your circular saw. If you rent a masonry or tile saw, check the blade just in case, but they usually have this kind of blade.
You should not wet cut with a circular saw. Some people ask an assistant to run water over the blade and tile while cutting, but this is a dangerous practice. To dry cut, you will need an appropriate blade. Besides, you will have to perform shallow cuts and stop often to prevent the blade from overheating.
Safety first! Wear a respirator mask and if you are dry cutting with a circular saw you must work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Cutting slate tiles with a wet saw
Masonry saws, tile saws or any other type of wet saws will make the work a lot easier, faster and safer. These machines are highly recommended when you need to cut through large pieces, many pieces or heavy-duty materials. With all being said, a circular saw will come in handy for small projects if you follow the instructions above. However, there are many benefits on working with a tile saw instead:
- The result will be more accurate, smooth, clean and the work will be done quicker. These machines are comfortable to use, and you won’t have any problem with the slate tile thanks to its bench design with sliding table and the moving cutting head.
- Most wet saw for rent suit the standard blade, which is also adequate for cutting slate.
- Once again, safety first! These saws reduce de risk of electric shock and accidents due to slippage.
- Thanks to the water flow, the dust in the air will be reduced to a minimum, so you won’t be breathing these particles at all.
- The water cooling system makes it possible to work for longer periods of time and perform deeper cuts without taking many breaks, because the blade won’t overheat.
In conclusion, we strongly suggest that you use an appropriate equipment for your project. Don’t try to save some money at all costs if it could put your safety at risk or take you too long. Using a circular saw is only recommended for small jobs and small pieces of material. If that is not the case, you will end up saving time and money by renting a tile saw. In fact, if you use a circular saw you will need to buy the proper diamond blade for cutting slate, but if you rent a tile or masonry saw, it will come with a general purpose diamond blade, so you will be avoiding that investment.
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