In
comparison to other stones, Slate is a fairly soft stone. A masonry blade in
a portable circular saw will cut it. Diamond blades are now available for
these saws that will cut any stone without needing water to protect the
blade from overheating. However, one must make sure that a good-quality dust
mask is used, since stone dust is bad for the lungs and dry cutting makes a
lot of it.
When cutting stone slabs, it is advisable to use a plywood straight-edge
with a guide attached for the saw base to run against. The saw glides on top
of the straight-edge, which stops just short of the blade. This prevents the
saw base from scratching the stone, as well as guiding the cut. Slate
doesn't take a polish well, and is too soft to hold a polish for long but it
can be sealed with various proprietary organic sealers.
Precautions
Stone-cutting quickly fills up an indoor space with dust- if its done
indoors, in no time. One must isolate the working area with plastic sheeting
to minimize clean-up.
About Slatestone:
Chemical Properties |
Physical Properties |
Installing Slate Tile |
Slate Cleaning |
Slate Cutting |
Slate Sealer
