Is a 9" grinder enough...

[Slugster]

To cut through a brick in one go?

I got fed up having to cut though each face of a brick with my pokey wee 4" job and want something that will do it in one go.

Is 9" enough - easy girls

[Gareth]

To cut through a brick in one go?

I got fed up having to cut though each face of a brick with my pokey wee 4" job and want something that will do it in one go.

Is 9" enough - easy girls

No, an average brick is about 4 inches and it will take 2 passes. The disc radius is 4 & 1/2 inches, but you also have to take into account the disc's 22mm dia centre mounting boss and nut, and the gearbox's overhang.

[wozzaaah]

It'll definitely be much easier with a 9" one, (fnarr fnarr). Don't think you'd cut a brick in one pass though, I've never tried it. I'll measure mine up later (oo err) and see if it could be done. A 9" grinder is a great bit of kit to have anyway, they're so cheap to buy and very versatile.

[Slugster]

Thanks guys...

I suppose I can can cut most of the way through and then give it a whack.

I think I'll go for it anyway - there are some good deals about

[ultimatehandyman]

I have used a 9 inch in the past, but as already mentioned it won't go through in one go.

I drilled four holes all the way through the wall, one in each corner and then cut the bricks on one side of the wall and then went to the other side and just followed the drill holes. Obviously if you can't gat to the other side then you are going to struggle.

[Slugster]

THanks UHM,

I wasn't meaning for cutting out openings in walls, I can borrow a big petrol Stihl for that, but for cutting loose new or reclaimed slabs and bricks

[ultimatehandyman]

Ah, right!

If you are cutting the brick from above the 9 incher should just about go through.

It's normally easier with a bolster chisel and hammer though.

[Slugster]

It's normally easier with a bolster chisel and hammer though.

Really??? I normally end up with lots of gravel and a bad temper doing it that way...

[ultimatehandyman]

I have never cut natural stone this way but I have cut bricks and concrete flags easily-

Mark the brick or flag where you want it cutting, then lay it on a bag of sand (this is important- do it on the floor and you get a crap cut) now using the bolster chisel and lump hammer score the line that you marked. Use medium single blows all the way around the object, so that you have a scored line all the way around, then for bricks give it a large blow on the line with the chisel or for flags tap it along the score line and it will break easily

Have a practice and let us know how you get on

[Slugster]

lay it on a bag of sand

That was the missing nugget of information. Never tried that before - did all the scoring stuff and still ended up with crap cut

Cheers Dude ..!

[ultimatehandyman]

Yeah, if you don't lay it on the bag of sand it makes a right mess.

A mate of mine that is a brickie showed me how to cut concrete flags on a bag of sand and I always do it that way now. The sand helps with the dispersion of the shock waves or something

I might try and do a video demonstration of this for the new site in the next few weeks

[peter c]

I have cut concrete slabs with a hammer and bolster laying the slabs on grass (albeit quite high grass) and it works.

As Chez says use light to medium blows all round the slab.

Peter C

[Mooncat]

I tried cutting those Marshalls concrete pavers with bolster and hammer, but even on a bed of sand, I often had the other end fall off from the shock waves. So I used a grinder, and all were perfect. Later, I bought a cheap 9" grinder, as it was cheaper than a half-day hire, and I didn't have two 10 mile trips to collect and return it.

[Hitch]

Side of your laying trowel is the old trick

I managed to do a few like it, but its been a long time since i did any brickwork

[Wood Magnet]

And put it back before the brickie notices.