Serving Stone Masons WorldwidE
How to Cut Pavers
Call Ray (412) 445-0703 or Email ray@blockshear.com
There are four ways to cut a paver: split it, saw it, grind it, or break it with a hammer and chisel. Straight cuts go fastest on a paver splitter. Curves need a saw. Here is how each method works on concrete and brick pavers, from the people who build hydraulic splitters for masons and hardscapers.
- Straight cuts: a paver splitter, no water or dust
- Curves and miters: a wet saw or cut off saw with a diamond blade
- A few cuts at home: an angle grinder or a hammer and chisel
4 Ways to Cut Pavers
Pick the method by the cut. Most hardscape crews split the straight cuts and save the saw for curves.
How to Split a Paver With a Splitter
A hydraulic paver splitter turns a cut into a few seconds of work. Here is the routine on a Block Shear splitter.
SAWS AND CURVES
How to Cut Pavers With a Saw
For curves, angles and cuts that need a smooth edge, use a wet saw or a gas cut off saw with a diamond blade. Mark the line, support the paver fully so it cannot rock, and let the blade do the work in steady passes. Water on the blade keeps the dust down and the blade cool.
To cut pavers in a curve, lay a garden hose or a bent strip of wood along the border, trace it onto the pavers, and cut along the line in short straight passes. A regular circular saw with a diamond or masonry blade works for a handful of cuts, but it is slow, dusty and hard on the saw.
Cutting concrete and brick pavers releases crystalline silica dust. OSHA requires contractors to control that dust, usually with water or a vacuum attachment on the saw. A splitter avoids the problem on straight cuts because there is no blade throwing dust.
Saw Safety Basics
- Eye and hearing protection on every cut
- Water or a vacuum attachment to control silica dust
- A respirator rated for silica when cutting dry
- Paver fully supported, never held by hand
Use a saw for curves. Use a splitter for everything straight.
THE TOOL WE BUILD FOR THIS
Block Shear Masonry Block Splitter
Splits concrete pavers, wall block and precast up to 8.25″ high and 18.25″ wide with 40,000 lb of force. $2,150 manual hydraulic or $2,550 air-assist hydraulic, plus shipping. Made in the USA.
Cutting brick pavers and thin stone? The 90 lb Mini Stone Splitter starts at $1,650.
Call Ray (412) 445-0703 or Email ray@blockshear.com
What Hardscape Pros Say
Worked as advertised to split granite cobbles
I did a large driveway with very hard granite cobblestone. The Block Shear was the most affordable solution I could find online at the time, and it worked great. I thought about selling it after the job was done because I wasn’t sure I was going to use it again, but I decided to hold onto it for future projects. It definitely works as advertised.
Hardscape install tools
Best hardscape matls splitter we have owned…ruggedly built and easy to use. I highly recommend both this product and the company!!
Time saver quality splitter
We have many splitters and this one is by far the best. I’ve been in the business for 53 years and the rock face finish that we get saves our masons time and the company money making us more competitive and our work high quality.
Built in Pittsburgh
Block Shear splitters are built in our shop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Questions about a machine? Call Ray at (412) 445-0703.
Cutting Pavers: Common Questions
For straight cuts, a paver splitter is the fastest tool and makes no dust. For curves and angles, a wet saw or cut off saw with a diamond blade. Most hardscape crews use both.
Mark the line on every face, score a groove along it with a brick set or a grinder, then strike the brick set on the line with a hand sledge until the paver breaks. A manual hydraulic splitter is the hand powered option that gives a clean break every time.
A paver splitter. It breaks the paver on a straight line with hydraulic pressure, with no blade, no water and no power cord on the manual models.
Yes, with a diamond or masonry blade, for a handful of cuts. Expect a lot of dust, wear a respirator and eye protection, and cut in several shallow passes.
A splitter breaks a 2 inch paver in one push. With a saw, cut as deep as the blade allows, then flip the paver and cut from the other side or snap it on the line.
Not for a homeowner. For contractors, OSHA requires controlling silica dust when cutting concrete and masonry, usually with water or a vacuum on the saw. Splitting straight cuts avoids that dust entirely.
Trace the curve onto the laid pavers with a hose or a bent strip of wood, then cut along the line with a wet saw or cut off saw in short straight passes. Splitters only make straight cuts.
Yes. Clay brick pavers split cleanly. The Block Shear Mini Stone Splitter handles brick pavers and thin stone up to 4.25″ high by 12″ wide, and the Masonry Block Splitter handles larger concrete pavers.
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