Cut Marble

Marble works well for counters and sinks, as well as tiling for floors and walls. Specialty saws, such as bridge or gang saws, are needed to cut very large slabs of marble. This article will tell you how to cut marble.

Steps

  1. Purchase or rent a large wet saw with a diamond blade.
    • You can also use a reciprocating dry diamond blade, but you risk shattering the marble.
    • Put on protective eyewear, hearing protection and gloves before you start cutting.
  2. Ensure you have a water supply and check the water pump on the saw.
    • Water keeps the blade from overheating, protecting the blade/saw and the marble.
  3. Mark the marble with tape or china marker for your cutting guidelines.
  4. Place the marble on the wet saw so most of the block is supported.
    • Placing the marble correctly helps protect your fingers from the blade.
  5. Feed the marble to the saw slowly and let the blade do the work for you.
    • Forcing the marble into the blade can cause the marble to crack and can result in an injury.
  6. Push the marble between the blade and the fence until the marble has completely cleared the blade.
  7. Use a small diamond blade saw or a grinder with a diamond wheel to clean up jagged edges of the newly cut marble.
    • Gentle movements will keep the marble from breaking.
    • Apply dry/wet sandpaper to smooth the marble edges.
    • You can start with an 120 grit and move upward to a 2500 grit paper. This will make the edge of your marble smooth. Do not use too coarse a grit as it may scratch the marble.
  8. Clean up your work area and throw away marble scraps. Sweep up your work area well to remove small pieces of sharp marble on the floor.
    • Ensure the wet saw has been wiped down and cooled properly before being put away or returned.



Tips

  • Bridge and gang saws are only available for professionals in the field. These are very large saws that are used at quarries and marble processing plants.
  • Buy some small pieces of marble to practice on before starting your project to get a thorough understanding of how to use the wet saw.

Warnings

  • Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) when using any electrical equipment with water.
  • Use caution and proper hand positions to prevent serious injury.
  • Check that your water supply and water pumps are working correctly before you start working. Water is critical for accurate cuts.
  • Read all of the manufacturer's instructions and warnings before using the wet saw. Protective gear should be worn at all times to protect yourself against marble shards.

Things You'll Need

  • Marble wet saw
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Pair of gloves and protective eye goggles
  • Diamond blades
  • Marble
  • Masking tape or chalk
  • Water supply or hose
  • Sandpaper
  • Broom and dustpan

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Sources and Citations

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