How to cut slate with a wave angle grinder

Rules for working with asbestos-cement sheets

There are many options for how to cut slate, however, regardless of your choice, certain safety measures are required. the dust from the asbestos included in the sheets, which gets into the human body by inhalation, negatively affects human health. It doesn’t matter how to cut, how to cut. the main thing is to minimize the amount of asbestos dust as much as possible. The release will significantly reduce the use of protective equipment such as a mask, goggles and more.

When sawing, wet sheets emit significantly less dust, therefore, before cutting the slate, it is moistened with water. over, the raw material is easier to cut, since wet asbestos cement acquires elasticity.

In this case, location is important. cutting should be done outdoors with a downwind position during cutting. this will blow dust away.

Sawing with a cut-off machine

A special circle is installed on the machine, which is used when cutting a stone. In the wetted area, the incision is performed without additional efforts. The emerging risk is moistened again and the incision continues to deepen. The process is repeated several times, after which the obtained depth will be enough to easily break the profile along the intended mowing line.

How to cut slate without dust. hazardous dust

Today, in the wake of the craze for everything environmentally friendly, slate is considered perhaps the most dangerous roofing material. How. it contains asbestos, a dangerous mineral! True, the majority has absolutely no idea how exactly this substance acts, and how much it contains different objects and things around us. Consider, if you decide to get rid of everything that contains asbestos, immediately throw away the money! In their manufacture, asbestos is used to increase the service life and strength of banknotes.

However, seriously, asbestos for a person in the bound state in which he is in products is completely harmless. A slate on the roof of a house or barn does not create any dust, and if you are so worried about it, just paint it. Fortunately, today slate paints have been specially developed for these purposes, having high adhesion to such surfaces.

The danger is posed by asbestos dust, which arises in the process of active actions. sawing products, dismantling structures, grinding.

That is, asbestos-containing slate itself is no more dangerous than the same plastic roof, since asbestos is bonded with cement, but if you start sawing or grinding it, then the dust that appears, penetrating into our lungs, can really cause chronic bronchitis and other troubles, which are treated with great labor. Starting repairs in order to get rid of all asbestos-cement structures, you just provoke the spread of such dust. It is not for nothing that in the United States at the peak of the campaign to combat asbestos at the state level, a quite sensible decision was made. it is much safer to get along with asbestos than to fight it.

Therefore, do not rush to get rid of all asbestos-containing. use it as you used it before. However, when performing any tasks, try to protect yourself. The easiest way to avoid dust getting into your lungs and eyes is to wear a respirator and goggles, and stand downwind before cutting the slate. If you have to work indoors, before cutting the slate, wet it properly. Much less dust is emitted from wet products when cutting. In addition, it is much easier to cut products just after soaking. therefore, experienced craftsmen put damp rags on the cutting site before cutting the flat slate for several hours.

While cutting, send those present in the room to breathe air. even street smog is not as harmful as asbestos-cement dust. First of all, children should leave the room. due to their short stature, they breathe air just at the level where the dust is most. And one more important safety measure, as they say, for the future. never throw the remnants of building materials or construction waste on the road. Over time, the machines will crush pieces of the same slate, and in hot weather the air will be filled with dust from asbestos.

Using other tools

For sawing asbestos-cement sheets, a jigsaw with reduced speed or a simple hacksaw is suitable. The main thing is to be careful and not overdo it with the use of force in order to avoid breaking or splitting the material.

Cutting of flat slate can be done with a conventional cutter. They put it on a flat plane and outline the line of the cut, say, hold it with a cutter under the ruler, leaving a straight scratch. In several passes, the risk deepens, after which a thin strip is placed under it, breaking the sheet along the intended mowing line.

This method is also suitable for material with a wavy profile, it must be cut in the direction of the wave. Cutting with a torch is fast and gentle compared to using an angle grinder, since the amount of dust generated during the sawing process is not very large.

Is it possible to cut this roofing material without any tool at all? It turns out, yes. For example, to get a cut mowing line, you can use a slate nail to punch holes along it. Any thin object of sufficient length is placed under the profile and gently cracked. How smooth the cut is depends on the frequency of the holes made and how carefully the break is done.

Cutting Slate. using an angle grinder

The work can not only be facilitated, but also get a smoother cutting line if you make a device that resembles a comb. Holes are drilled on a wooden plank with a pitch of 20 mm, into which the corresponding nails are inserted. The device is placed on the profile along the mowing line of the cut and carefully beaten with a hammer. As a result, the sheet breaks easily and neatly.

How can you cut slate: the most common options

Here are the most common cutting options for asbestos-cement sheets.

Cutting flat slate

Cutting flat slate is much easier. A smooth surface is easier to mark out, it is more convenient for it to operate, hold, fix on the desktop or bars. Flat slate is produced in different sizes, different compositions, fiber lengths. Successful sheet cutting depends on their diameter and length. Flat slate is thicker than wave slate, but more fragile, despite its density. It can be pressed and unpressed. Its thickness ranges from 4mm to 10mm. Unlike wave, flat slate breaks better when sawing.

How to cut flat slate? With the same tools as the wavy one, in addition, it can be broken, evenly, without harmful dust. Cutting slate with an angle grinder is quite effective when the correct blade is selected. The diamond blade does this job easily. You can make a shallow cut with an angle grinder and then break the sheet.

You can cut flat slate with an electric saw. To do this, make notches with a chisel, along which the cut will pass, then lower the saw. Wetting with water is mandatory. A hand-held circular saw is also useful, it is better to use it at low speeds.

3 Tools For Cutting Slate

Sawing slate with an electric jigsaw is ineffective, but possible. Use diamond-coated carbide hacksaws. Watch the cutting line, it will “run away”, extra effort will cause the sheet to split.

Dust and Noise Free. How to Cut Wave Slate Quietly?

If you have to trim slate indoors, where it is important not only to avoid the appearance of dust, but also to do the job as quietly as possible, then in the case of even sheets of slate, a cutter made of good steel will come in handy. A sheet of slate is laid on a flat place and a line is drawn under the ruler with a cutter. Then, removing the ruler, the line deepens and expands, pressing harder on the cutter.

There is little left to do. put a rail or pipe under the sheet, placing them parallel to the cutting line of the cut, and slightly press. If you tried in the previous step, then there should be no problems here either. Wavy slate can be cut with a cutter only along the wave. having stuffed your hand, you can cut off even very narrow strips of about 10 cm, and note, completely dust-free and with minimal noise.

How to cut the slate if there is only a hammer from the tools? Then a method belonging to the category of “grandfather’s tricks” will come in handy. Indeed, when there were no grinders and jigsaws, and for using a good hacksaw not for its intended purpose, the grandfather could slap his grandson with a savory slap on the head, this was the only way they cut the slate. Although the word “cut” somehow it is wrong to call this method. Rather, they break it. However, they break without dust and unnecessary noise, so the method will always be relevant.

So, you will need not just any, but a slate nail. Pre-mark the line for the cut, it is important that it runs along the bottom of the wave. That is, if the line runs along the top, just turn the sheet over. Holes are punched with a nail along the mowing line. the more often they are located, the better. Then a pipe or wooden block is placed under the sheet and gently pressed on the edge of the sheet to break the slate along the mowing line with holes. The evenness of the line depends on the number of holes and the accuracy. Sometimes, in order for the desired piece to come off, it is enough to tap on the mowing line of the cut with the side of the hammer.

The good old material for the roof, despite the abundance of new roofing coverings, is in constant demand among the population, because it has a number of undoubted advantages.

Existing methods of cutting slate

Since slate is a durable material, but has increased fragility, you need to saw it correctly. The main thing is to follow the technology and use a certain set of tools.

Secrets of cutting slate at home

It is easier to cut flat slate without dust than wave slate. Skillful craftsmen try not to get dusty when working with slate. Knowing some tricks, following the rules helps to quickly acquire skills.

An ordinary nail can be an effective tool at home. It is necessary to draw a cutting line with a construction pencil, scratch a recess on it with a nail, put a block under the line, press on different sides of the sheet. You can also punch small holes with a nail, then break them. Particular attention to the corners of the sheet, so that the scrapping line is even, you need to break first the edges near the mowing line, then in the middle. Instead of a nail, you can use a cutter, also make cuts, then break. If there is no cutter, a clerical knife will come in handy. Walk along the cut line several times, deepening the risk of breaking. A steel sheet, a rim from a barrel, will also come in handy. Attach such devices to the mowing line of the cut, tap evenly with a hammer along the entire length, cutting through the sheet. Cut carefully, applying force evenly so as not to damage the geometry of the cut.

Similar cutting technology with an electric drill. Several holes are made along the mowing line, they put a block, break it. Wetting of sheets is required both when working with tools and when cutting by hand. Moisture will reduce waste and reduce the release of harmful asbestos dust. Break off the remaining pieces, irregularities with nippers, pliers, grind with sandpaper, a grinder. The main thing is not to break the corners of the sheet. Slate should be bought with a margin, at least 10% of the material will not interfere.

Cutting corrugated slate

During installation, you almost always have to cut the slate, level the sheets, cut in half, into equal parts, and so on. Such manipulations are performed:

• cutting machine (angle grinder);
• jigsaw;
• a cutter;
• hand saw (hacksaw).

There are also quite effective old-fashioned methods that are relevant when there are no electrical tools at hand or it is not possible to connect to the power grid.

How to CUT SLATE. How to cut slates Thick or Thin DIY or Trade

Cutting wave slate with a cutting machine is not difficult at all. The sheet is installed on two supports above the ground. First, the line of the cut is carried out, watered with water so that less asbestos-cement dust is emitted, and cutting is performed at low speeds. The angle grinder significantly reduces the degree of effort, the main thing is not to forget constantly, to wet the cut line with water. So the angle grinder will be easier and safer for the worker. A diamond disc or a wheel for working with stone should be used for an angle grinder, it can cut the sheet in any direction, grind the edges.

Cutting slate with an electric jigsaw is less efficient. Ordinary tools do not have enough power, the cutting file quickly deteriorates. A high carbon steel file with victorious tips is required. This will help to saw the sheet in accordance with the specified parameters, to make arcs, roundings.

You can cut slate at home with a simple cutter. Wavy slate, however, is more difficult to saw with this hand tool than flat slate. But if you follow the following algorithm of work, you can achieve a good result. Having laid the sheet on an even place, you need to attach a ruler, marking the cutting line. Place marks along the crest of the wave, then remove the ruler to make marks in the grooves. Pressing on the cutter with force, smoothly mark the cutting line. A careless movement can split the sheet. After the fishing line is marked under it, you need to put a block along the entire length and press down so that the sheet breaks. experienced workers break off the sawn-off piece with a hammer.

Before you cut the wave slate with a hacksaw, you need to install it on level ground on the supports. The height should match the stroke of the hacksaw. It should be foreseen that slate installed on high supports may crack if dropped. mark the cutting line with a construction pencil. Moisten with water, put in abundantly soaked rags, move them as the saw advances. Hold the saw at an angle of 45 °, apply force smoothly, without pressure, so as not to damage the sheet. You can cut the slate with a circular saw, an electric chainsaw, however, certain skills will be required.

Cutting slate. how to cut flat slate?

Cutting flat slate is fastest with an angle grinder and stone disc. If you need to cut on a hard surface that is highly undesirable to damage, place a wooden strip under the slate sheet, not far from the place where the cut will take place. However, this option will help you out when you need to cut close to the edge. If you need to cut the sheet in the middle, then it is best to put the slate on a flat surface that will not be scared to damage, for example, on the ground.

It is best to work with an assistant. while one person is cutting, the second will constantly wet the cutting site with a thin stream of water from a hose or bottle. If there is no assistant, then try to bring a hose to the place of the cut so that the water spreads along the plane of the slate in the place where you will cut. In this way, you can avoid spraying asbestos dust, which will flow to the ground in the form of dirt. Rinse off residues from tools and surfaces, as the dirt will harden as it dries. Using the same angle grinder and diamond wheel, you can not only cut, but also grind the edges of the slate. Cutting slate with an angle grinder is a very noisy event, so earmuffs will not interfere with you at all.

How else can you cut slate from power tools? Indeed, an angle grinder is not the only solution to the problem, a jigsaw or even a hacksaw with a fine tooth will do. However, in this case, get ready for a long marathon. these tools are suitable only for small amounts of work. To make it easier to cut with a jigsaw, and even more so with a hacksaw, put a wet rag over the cutting site and let it stand for at least a couple of hours. Just do not get carried away. remember that the sheets from moisture will become not only elastic, but also more fragile, so you should not press too much. When working with a jigsaw, set a reduced spindle speed.

How to cut slate. cutting technology and necessary tools

Slate is the most irreplaceable material in country house construction. With it, you can quickly and inexpensively make a roof for a garage, barn, gazebo or even a garden house. The non-decreasing demand for it speaks for the ease of installation and affordable price. However, do not forget that it contains asbestos, a mineral that is dangerous for the respiratory tract and mucous membranes of a person. In sheets that are not exposed to external influences, it is in a bound state, held by a binder. Workers are in danger when cutting material. This article will tell you how and what to cut slate, so as not to violate the integrity of the sheet and to protect yourself.

Slate cutting with an electric jigsaw

The method is used extremely rarely due to its very low performance. The point is not only that the jigsaw is not intended for such work, but also that the saw teeth are heavily clogged. It is difficult and time-consuming to clean them. Only soft euro slate can be cut with a jigsaw.

The electric jigsaw is best used for cutting euro slate

General advice for the production of work

In order to ensure an even cut, exclude slate breaking and not harm your health, you should follow a few simple recommendations.

Respiratory protection is imperative.

This rule applies to cutting asbestos-cement roofing materials. Both asbestos and cement have a very negative effect on the human body, you need to take all measures to minimize harm. Choose a respirator especially carefully, experienced builders strongly advise against using the simplest paper or gauze masks, their effectiveness is very low. Especially in cases where the worker has to constantly move. Reliable respiratory protection can only be provided by a professional respirator with replaceable filters.

To work with a large amount of slate, you should choose a high-quality anti-dust respirator with replaceable filters

Safety goggles. an essential piece of equipment when cutting slate sheets

Special clothes and gloves will also be quite useful when cutting slate.

Practical advice. To reduce the amount of dust during cutting of asbestos-cement slate, the cut point should be constantly moistened.

If work is carried out in an open space, then you should always stand on the leeward side. It is not necessary to cut slate in the rooms. all surfaces will be covered with dust, it is difficult and long to remove it.

Sawing with an angle grinder

Since the times of the USSR, it is customary to call an angle grinder an angle grinder, which was produced in the friendly republic of the same name. It is better to cut slate with this universal tool with an assistant, following this technology:

• Carefully take out the slate sheet to an open area and place it on two supports that will raise it above the ground to make it easier to work.
• Determine where you will cut and draw the line you will cut along. Moisten the area of ​​the future incision liberally with water. Firstly, the plasticity of slate increases when wet, and secondly, less hazardous asbestos dust is formed.

Important! To cut the slate, use an angle grinder with a stone disc or diamond wheel. The first option is cheaper than the second. However, the diamond tip allows you to fill cuts in any direction or even sand the edges of the sheet.

Types of slate

Among roofers, slate is called several types of materials, their individual technical parameters have a direct impact on the choice of cutting method and tool.

We will consider existing cutting technologies for all types of slate. This will take into account the practical experience of professional roofers, new tools and technological capabilities.

How to cut slate

Currently, there are many types of roofing materials, slate is no longer among the most demanded. In many operational parameters, it is inferior to modern roofs, the only advantage can be considered a relatively low cost. The technology of laying absolutely all roofing materials involves their adjustment to the dimensions of the roof slopes, and it is impossible to do this without cutting. The production technology of the work largely depends on the physical characteristics of the roofing materials.

Sawing with an angle grinder

Since the times of the USSR, it is customary to call an angle grinder an angle grinder, which was produced in the friendly republic of the same name. It is better to cut slate with this universal tool with an assistant, following this technology:

• Carefully take out the slate sheet to an open area and place it on two supports that will raise it above the ground to make it easier to work.
• Determine where you will cut and draw the line you will cut along. Moisten the area of ​​the future incision liberally with water. Firstly, the plasticity of slate increases when wet, and secondly, less hazardous asbestos dust is formed.

Important! To cut the slate, use an angle grinder with a stone disc or diamond wheel. The first option is cheaper than the second. However, the diamond tip allows you to fill cuts in any direction or even sand the edges of the sheet.

Cutting with a hacksaw

If you do not have an angle grinder or other electrical tool at your disposal, you can cut the slate using a simple metal hacksaw or a sharp carpenter’s knife. It is interesting that it takes no more than 2-3 minutes to cut a sheet of slate with a hand tool. In order not to damage the sheet, follow the steps in the following order:

• Take a leaf and place it on two blocks on the ground. Do not take too high supports, as after the end of sawing the sheet will fall and break.
• Before cutting the flat slate, mark the cutting line on it with a construction pencil. Soak clean cotton rags in water and place along the line you draw. After three hours, when the water has been absorbed and the slate becomes more pliable, get to work.
• Take a hacksaw in your hands, bring it over the cut, positioning it at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface. While holding the edge of the sheet with one hand, begin to move the tool back and forth, cutting the slate along the mowing line. Do not exert too much effort, act without pressure to avoid sheet breakage.

Important! Professional builders with experience with slate claim that using hand tools while sawing reduces asbestos dust when compared to working with an angle grinder or jigsaw.

Physical properties of the material

To make slate, manufacturers mix asbestos with cement and water, pour it into molds and leave it to dry. To prevent dusting, both sides and cuts are coated with a special paint that gives the desired shade to the material and makes it smoother. The slate has the following physical characteristics:

• Great weight. The weight of one sheet of standard size exceeds 30 kg. Among roofing materials, it has a large weight, which is exceeded only by ceramic tiles.
• Fragility. It is quite easy to break the integrity of a slate sheet. On the one hand, this is bad, since you need to be more careful about transportation and storage. On the other hand, this is a definite advantage, since it is not particularly difficult to cut a sheet.
• Color. Unpainted slate is easy to recognize by its light gray shade, which cannot be confused with something. If it looks unsightly or does not blend in with the finish of the house, just buy paint and apply it to the roof surface.
• A variety of textures. Manufacturers of building materials produce wave and flat slate. Without differing in composition, they have a different surface and a different scope of application. The wave type is more often used to cover the roof, and the flat type is used to protect the walls.

Note! Slate is made using asbestos. This insidious mineral of the silicate class penetrates with dust into the lungs, irritating and causing micro-trauma. Therefore, in order to cut a sheet of slate, you need to use personal protective equipment that protects the respiratory tract and eyes. It is best not to cut indoors, but outdoors.

How to cut slate. cutting technology and necessary tools

Slate is the most irreplaceable material in country house construction. With it, you can quickly and inexpensively make a roof for a garage, barn, gazebo or even a garden house. The non-decreasing demand for it speaks for the ease of installation and affordable price. However, do not forget that it contains asbestos, a mineral that is dangerous for the respiratory tract and mucous membranes of a person. In sheets that are not exposed to external influences, it is in a bound state, held by a binder. Workers are in danger when cutting material. This article will tell you how and what to cut slate, so as not to violate the integrity of the sheet and to protect yourself.

Alternative methods

Sometimes it happens that you need to cut a sheet of slate urgently, and you have neither an angle grinder, nor a jigsaw, nor a hacksaw at hand. The only way out in this case is to break the sheet with your hands. Experienced craftsmen have two tricks on how to make the rift smooth:

• With a sharp knife. A line is applied to the surface of the slate where a cut is needed. Then, taking a sharp household or clerical knife, repeatedly draw along this mowing line, over and over again deepening the risk. When the cut is deep enough, the sheet is gently broken.
• With a drill. A line is drawn on the sheet, marking the place of the future cut. Drill holes along this mowing line every 5 cm. Then carefully break the slate along the resulting perforated strip. The smaller the pitch between the holes, the easier it is to break the sheet.

Due to flaws in the process of sawing slate, most of the defective sheets are formed, which are not always used. If you do not have experience in cutting, when buying material, take care of 10% stock, which compensates for losses as a result of careless actions during cutting.