Cutting Concrete Blocks in Half

[jlamplough]

I have half a dozen Split-Face Boral Besser Concrete blocks that I need to cut in half. So far I've been using a Circular Saw with a masonary blade, however it doesn't have the required cutting depth for this particular cut. I'm trying to avoid hiring a Brick Saw (about $140). Does anyone know somewhere I can pay to have them cut? I'm in Sydney. (West Suburbs).

Or is there another way to do this?

Thanks in advance.

[bitingmidge]

It'd be cheaper just to buy half a dozen half blocks!

cheers,

P

[Gaza]

go to a building site with a case of beer. (oh yea make sure they have a brick saw before u offer the beer)

[ozwinner]

Try here.

Al

[namtrak]

go to a building site with a case of beer. (oh yea make sure they have a brick saw before u offer the beer)

Absolutely the way to go

[jlamplough]

It'd be cheaper just to buy half a dozen half blocks!

cheers,

P

I would do this except Boral has told me it could be a 3 week lead time since they actually cut these ones to order.

I'd considered the building site option, however I was hoping to do it this saturday but haven't seen many of the brickies working near us on a Sat.

[adrian]

I had to cut a hole in a brick wall to fit a window and was going to hire a wet saw. It was going to cost $140 for half a day plus any excessive wear to the diamond blade.
I bought a cheap Ozito 230mm angle grinder and 4 masonry disks for about $110. It took a lot longer to do the job and made a lot more mess but it was a good option for me when you consider the amount of work that grinder has had to do since that job.

[jlamplough]

I had to cut a hole in a brick wall to fit a window and was going to hire a wet saw. It was going to cost $140 for half a day plus any excessive wear to the diamond blade.
I bought a cheap Ozito 230mm angle grinder and 4 masonry disks for about $110. It took a lot longer to do the job and made a lot more mess but it was a good option for me when you consider the amount of work that grinder has had to do since that job.

I checked this out. The problem is that a 230mm angle grinder only gives a cutting depth of about 75mm. (Same as my circular saw). I need to cut through 200mm, so this is not enough depth. (Even after scoring the block on both sides and then using a bolster is not giving a clean break.)

[adrian]

You didn't specify what depth of cut you needed in your post so I had to make the suggestion.
Have you tried a stonemason. People who make grave stones would be cutting some stone that's a lot tougher than yours and it might be a case of hot knife through butter. Give them a call and you might find that they'll take a few dollars per block.

[mic-d]

I checked this out. The problem is that a 230mm angle grinder only gives a cutting depth of about 75mm. (Same as my circular saw). I need to cut through 200mm, so this is not enough depth. (Even after scoring the block on both sides and then using a bolster is not giving a clean break.)

Instead of just scoring the brick, cut it to full depth all round with the saw and then crack it with a bolster. Clean up the cut face with a diamond blade on the angle grinder.
I hope you have tolerantneighbours who don't mnind all the cement dust you generate!
Cheers
Michael

[jlamplough]

Thanks to all who replied.

I ended up using the 9inch angle grinder with a diamond blade which worked very well. It cuts much better than a circular saw with a masonary blade,

Cheers,
Jeremy.