If you don’t have a good, stable surface to place the countertop on, try setting it atop some 2 ft × 4 ft (0. 61 m × 1. 22 m) pieces of lumber on the ground.
If you are replacing an old countertop, use it as a sizing guide. Measure its length and width after you finish removing it from your home.
For example, if you’re cutting across the countertop’s length, lay a single strip of tape all the way across it. Try to place it exactly where you plan on cutting. If it isn’t 100% accurate, lay down additional tape to cover the cutting area. Pick up painter’s tape and the other tools you need online or at a local hardware store.
If you’re making space for a sink or cooktop, keep in mind that these features usually come with cardboard templates you can trace on the countertop. Use the template for a more accurate cut! Check your measurements a second time before you move on. Take your time to ensure your outline is perfect. Making a mistake could ruin your countertop.
Working outdoors is the best bet to prevent the dust from getting all over your home. If you have to work indoors, ventilate and use a feather duster, dust vacuum, or wet cloth to clean up. Keep other people out of the area until you are finished cutting and cleaning up.
Blades for ceramic and other types of materials can’t cut through granite. Diamond-tipped blades are a little pricey, but they’re worth using for this project. When visiting your local hardware store, make sure you get a blade that specifically says it’s designed to cut granite countertops. If you end up using the wrong blade, you could actually potentially risk damaging your beautiful stone. [7] X Expert Source Alberto DeJesusConstruction Specialist Expert Interview. 15 December 2021.
Since granite is prone to chipping, take the time to make this additional cut to reduce the risk of damage to the countertop.
As long as you hold the saw steady, it will cut through the tape and granite with relative ease. You don’t need to force it at all. Forcing it may cause it to tear chunks of granite off the countertop.
Angle grinders are often used for cutting and polishing strong, abrasive materials like stone, but you still have to be careful when selecting the correct cutting wheel. If you choose the wrong one, you could damage the tool as well as your countertop.
Remember that it’s better to cut within the line if you need to, since you can always cut away the extra granite later. If you cross over the line, you will end up cutting into the part of the countertop you wish to keep and that can’t be fixed.
A slow and steady pace makes for a good countertop. Trim away the stone instead of trying to force the blade to eliminate large chunks of it.
For the rounded corners, cut from the center of the hole to the edges of the outline. Move the blade in straight lines to slice off small chunks of the granite each time. Eventually, you will end up with perfect, round corners.
If you measured well enough when sketching the cutlines, you won’t need to make any extra adjustments. Sometimes the hole is smaller than you need, but you can even out the edges with an angle grinder. You can’t fix a hole that is too big, so cut with caution!
You could also use a regular circular saw or angle grinder while spraying water onto the countertop. If you’re careful to avoid electrical shock, this is easy to do without buying a wet-cut saw.
If you can, plan on cutting the countertop outdoors, using an extension cord as needed to connect to the outlet. If you don’t have a GFCI outlet available, use the dry-cut method instead to eliminate the risk of shock.
Work slowly and make sure you cut where you need to. You can’t put back anything you remove, so you could ruin a good countertop if you’re not careful. If you’re cutting a hole, such as for a sink, cut diagonally across rounded corners. Come back and trim off the excess granite once you’re finished making the rest of the hole.
If you’re using a regular saw or angle grinder, you will need a hose, spray bottle, or something similar. Have someone else add the water to make the process easier. Expect some standing water on the countertop. As long as you keep the saw’s motor above the water, you won’t have any problems. Avoid standing in any puddles of water and keep the cord behind you to eliminate the risk of shock.
Be careful of the standing water left from the cutting process. Move the saw out of the way, then wipe it up before you begin installing the countertop or its features.
