Many people like to use sandstone pavers around their homes because they are weather resistant (when appropriately treated) and they have a stunning natural appearance. To get each of the pavers to lock together, however, you might find that you need to cut sandstone into smaller pieces every now and then. Use these tips to ensure that you cut correctly and without issue.
Prepare the rock
You will need to mark out the sandstone that needs to be cut by drawing a line with a pencil. You should also inspect the paver to make sure that there aren't any cracks, as these can create an uneven break line or could even cause the rock to shatter during cutting.
The cutting surface
Make sure that you lay the sandstone down on a soft surface, such as soil or a bag of cement, as this will absorb the shock of hammering. A flexible surface can also result in a better break. If you were to cut the paver over brick or cement, you could damage its underside.
Hammer and chisel
This is one technique that you can use to cut sandstone pavers; lightly tap a chisel along the line that you marked out earlier. These first marks will only scratch the surface. When you’re finished, give the stone hammer a harder hit along this break line, holding one side of the paver down until it breaks in two.
Slab Saw
This is another technique that you can use to cut the sandstone, making sure that you are using a diamond blade. Insert a rotary blade into the saw and use it to cut directly through the line that you marked in earlier for an accurate separation. This technique is most often used for projects that require precision.
Whenever you are cutting sandstone pavers, the most important thing that you can do is adhere to some strict safety precautions. These range from wearing the appropriate protective gear (such as goggles) to working in an open and well-ventilated area. Just use come common sense and you should run into very few difficulties during your project.