How to Cut Blue Stone
Blue stone is an attractive, natural stone, slightly blue in color, that is found in New York and Pennsylvania. Blue stone is available in sheets that are anywhere from one-inch-thick to six inches thick. Blue stone can be cut with a masonry blade on a circular saw, but this can cause a great deal of dust.
A better idea may be to rent a power cutter with a diamond blade and a built-in watering system for dust suppression.
Things You Will Need
- Metal T-square
- White crayon
- Power cutter with diamond blade and dust suppressor
- Water source
- Dust mask
- Eye goggles
- Gloves
Tip
Work in a well ventilated area. Even though you are using a dust suppressor, it is still a good idea to take precautions against any dust that might be created. Follow all instructions regarding the use of the power cutter. Blue stone can also be cut using a hammer and cold chisel. Score along the cut line with the chisel, then place a two-by-four on edge under the chisel line and snap the stone downward on either side of the line, causing the stone to break along the chiseled line.
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Mark the line of your proposed cut on the face of your blue stone using a metal square and a white crayon.
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Lay a piece of scrap lumber on the bed of the cutter so that when the blade cuts through the stone it will cut into the wood and not into the bed of the cutter. Place the blue stone on top of your piece of scrap lumber. Make certain that the water reservoir on the power cutter is filled or that the cutter is attached to a water source, depending on the cutter you've rented.
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Set the blade of the cutter to cut no deeper than 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch into your blue stone. Turn on the water supply to the blade and turn on the blade. Wear a breathing mask and eye protection as well as gloves. Push the blade with moderate pressure, making your first cut.
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Set your blade down another 1/4 to 1/2 inch and make a second cut. Continue in this manner, making several shallow cuts until you have cut all the way through your stone.
The Drip Cap
- Blue stone is an attractive, natural stone, slightly blue in color, that is found in New York and Pennsylvania.
- Blue stone can be cut with a masonry blade on a circular saw, but this can cause a great deal of dust.
- Set the blade of the cutter to cut no deeper than 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch into your blue stone.
References
Writer Bio
Larry Parr has been a full-time professional freelance writer for more than 30 years. For 25 years he wrote cartoons for television, everything from "Smurfs" to "Spider-Man." Today Parr train dogs and write articles on a variety of topics for websites worldwide.
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