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rjinga

Breaking a concrete paver

18 years ago

Before you all chuckle and think that I'm a complete blonde airhead....(blonde, but hopefully NOT an airhead) This is probably a silly question...but here goes....I'm dressing up the outside of my GH with a raised bed planter, pergola and in front of the door, I've put down so terracota colored (sorta) decorative pavers...they have a nice scalloped edge..etc.

so the problem is that I have room left at the edge after putting down two rows of these, but not enough room for a third row...so I'd like to cut them either in half or break them up so that they are in quarters and then do like a mosaic effect with them...anticipating that I might try to make a clean break but wont be successful.

I'm wondering if anyone has any brilliant ideas for me?

I realize that there may be other forums more suited for this question...but like I've said before, you GH guru's are probably the most resourceful and overall all around most knowledgeable in so many areas, I knew I'd find someone who could help me :)

this shows the best picture I have at the moment of the pavers.

{{gwi:291200}}

Comments (13)

  • 18 years ago

    Depending on the material of the paver, you could try to chip at it with a masonry chisel and get it to break at the locations that you want.
    However, this will be hit or miss until you get some familiarity with the materials that you are working with.

    Someone with masonry experience would probably be the best person to comment on that.

    By the way, I have the same oil-heater that you have. Those things are awesome. :)

  • 18 years ago

    Hello stranger,
    You can take them to a tile dealer/layer and they will have a diamond saw and can cut them cleanly. They generally charge a $1.00 a cut but you will not lose any tile/pavers with the hit and miss thingum.
    Failing that you can try and score them with something and they hit it on a straight edge of metal, like the track of your sliding doors in the GH.

    Only kidding, I realize that the aluminum in the HFGH is way to soft for that.

    1/2 nosedJack and the Dawg

  • 18 years ago

    Given how very little space you have left, I wonder why you don't simply center the pavers and declare victory. Pack 'em on either side with decorative pebbles or something.

    You could probably cut them with an angle grinder--but a 7" or 9" angle grinder plus masonry wheel will put you out $30-50 bucks (again at HF). The 4 1/2" angle grinder at HF is

  • 18 years ago

    laserfan....I think you win...I had actually considered filling in the space between the pavers and the sod...but moving them all and filling in with pea gravel or sand? or something will be just as good...

    I have another small area that I made a pad for our Grill using the same pavers, and we mixed sand with colored mortar? and filled it in..evenually it hardened and it looks like grout...turned out really nice, I think I could do the same here....

    sigh....sometimes you just need to hear the obvious to figure out the obvious solutions..
    thanks for all who responded :)

  • 18 years ago

    laserfan....I think you win...I had actually considered filling in the space between the pavers and the sod...but moving them all and filling in with pea gravel or sand? or something will be just as good...

    I have another small area that I made a pad for our Grill using the same pavers, and we mixed sand with colored mortar? and filled it in..evenually it hardened and it looks like grout...turned out really nice, I think I could do the same here....

    sigh....sometimes you just need to hear the obvious to figure out the obvious solutions..
    thanks for all who responded :)

  • 18 years ago

    Rjinga,

    I love your pergola. Everything is coming along really nice. Cutting stone I have no clue.... Barb

  • 18 years ago

    That is a LOVELY pergola! When you are done planting around it, your GH will be as much an attractive garden feature as practical structure.

  • 18 years ago

    I agree, that looks wonderful! What a great idea to really transform the look of your greenhouse. I'd just center those pavers too, I think it will be beautiful. Nice job!!
    Sheri

  • 18 years ago

    Good job so far.

    What I would do:

    Also note the suggested changes to the canopy.

    dcarch

    {{gwi:295735}}

  • 18 years ago

    dcarch...wow, how'd you do that? OK, so the changes to the canopy...remove the upper 4x4? and replace with the 2x6 with the cutout below it, like the others?

    and then how do I cut the 2x4 and make that design with it still in place? jig saw? I think that might be a challenge for me...but it does look better.

    Hey while you are at it, do you mind putting in a few plants, an exhaust fan in my GH and some shelving, with that little magic wand you have :) what program is that?

  • 18 years ago

    rjinga,

    Come on, you are a blonde, you can get guys to do anything for you. (sorry, couldn't help it. You started it first LOL).

    I use a few graphics software, including one to correct perspective paralax.

    dcarch

  • 18 years ago

    If you have a regular circular saw, you can buy a quality dry diamond blade for anywhere from $15-$40. I've cut dozens of pavers/edgers of all sizes with the DeWalt blade I bought several years ago. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to use if you're comfortable using a circular saw. I bought mine at Lowe's 3 years ago for $15 and it still cuts fine.

    You don't need water to cool it but it's recommended you use a dust mask, eye protection and ear plugs, work slowly, and make multiple passes on anything over 2 inches thick. You can cut straight through a 1.5" paver with one. I've even cut 3.5" retaining wall blocks with mine using multiple passes from both sides. I do use multiple passes regardless of thickness because the saw doesn't work as hard and it's easier than making one deep cut.

    I use mine on a 25 year old Skil Saw and have never had a problem except when I've been off with my measurements. Oh, and one time when I forgot to set the paver I was cutting on top of another to avoid cutting a nice little groove in our driveway. That was a slap-your-forehead, "Ohhhhhhhhh, *bleep*" moment.

  • 18 years ago

    I would consider getting a wet saw also. They are not expensive.

    Wet diamond blades cannot be used for dry cuts. Dry blades can be used dry or wet.

    Wet cut will make cuts much faster, no dust, and the blades will last much longer.

    Watch out direction of rotation of the blade when installing.

    dcarch