Cutting Granite

[chasineyes]

So I just picked up 4 8' slabs of granite counters this past weekend from a "big box" retailer. I need to cut 2-45 and 4 straights. A couple guys from work have cut their own using a diamond blade and water with the skill saw. Is this something that is "doable" or am I better taking it to a stone shop? And would I need to "polish" the edges before aligning them together? I'm thinking I"m going to have a shop cut out my sink opening.

Any tips or tricks??

Thanks

[jeffreyd]

i think if you can have a shop do it, then it will be done correctly and without pain to you. i would hate to mess up a sheet because my "skilsaw" jammed or something. just my thought. can i ask how thick it is and would you be willing to share the price you paid per sheet? thanks jeff

[mn_bowhunter]

Water + skilsaw = bad idea. If you do it make sure you use a GFI outlet so you don't get fried.

[PurpleFloyd]

You can certainly do it yourself but you have to know what your expectations are because the seams will never look as good as a pro does it if you DIY.

IMHO the seams going at a 45 in the corners are going to be very difficult to get to look good if you are concerned with tight seams at all.

You also have to consider how you are going to join the seams together. The shops we work with will use a 2 part epoxy that is color matched to the granite on their seams and many times they blend in very well when done but they also never seam them at a 45. If possible with the slabs you have I suggest a 90 degree seam off of the corner and not in a location that gets alot of sunlight.

Put it this way I am a cabinetmaker and do this sort of thing for a living but I would never cut granite myself and install because I would never be satisfied with the job I can do compared to having the pro's come out and template/ install the job.

[Pat K]

I've seen a lot of counter tops installed in my 20+ years in construction and 12 years at a big box store that installs granite. I've never seen a professional installer use 45's with granite in a corner. It's always a straight seam a few inches from the corner.

[chasineyes]

Pat, i'm guessing they didn't buy 8' finished sheets, but had a larger piece cut out and then routered the edges? Otherwise, how would you match up the bullnose front if it's already fabricated? I found a shop that charges 10$ a foot for cutting and polishing. Since I have "finished" edges, I don't think there is a away around not doing a 45.

[hydro]

Assuming you have purchased "stick" material with a pre-shaped bullnose edge, you will need to cut a French Miter in the corner. It can either be a short 45 angle, or a radius cut with a CNC or Park Wizard. This is not easy to do by hand,and I would not recommend it to someone without the right tools or skill. Also, the diamond tools needed to do it right will cost as much or more than having a shop do it for you. Here is what it looks like.

[Redlantern]

The shop that's going to cut the sink opening for you, make sure if they are cutting the holes for your faucet that they leave enough room for the nut and washer that mount under your faucet. Quite often I've run into holes that the shank of the faucet will fit into but not enough room for the washers and nut between the undermount sink (assuming that's what your putting in). On the topic of undermount sinks, make sure to have them cut in a groove for your clips for the sink or install anchors for you. Don't forget your backsplash when taking into account where to drill the faucet holes. One more thing, I'm a plumber and no counter top or cabinet guy. I've heard that your cabinets need to be extremely level with each other or the granite might crack under it's own weight. Very particular work from what I've heard. Take the time and make sure your granite is well supported.

[LightningBG]

I have granite and there are no 45s

This is what the cuts look like. You can barely see them, barely feel them. You really have to be looking to notice where they are.

[chasineyes]

Lightening...your left side is exactly what I have. I have been talking to a shop and will inquire about cutting the "straight" corner. Do you know if they put down 3/4" plywood before the granite? I'm reading that if your granite is thinner than 1" (which mine is) then you don't do a underlayment becuase of the laminated edging.

thanks everyone for the tips!

[hydro]

On the plywood, if you have 2 CM (3/4") thick material then you may want to use a plywood backer. 3 CM (1 1/4") material sits directly on the cabinet boxes. It is really optional. I have seen much 2 CM material installed directly on the cabinets. It is much more common in the eastern and southern USA. If you have any question, inquire with the shop that will be doing your cuts. They will know.