Step By Step Process Of Cutting The Granite Countertop For Sink
A popular choice for the kitchen upgrades is a polished as well as sealed granite and this is due to the fact that it has the timeless allure, durability, as well as low maintenance. Granite is extremely dense as well as hard, so proceed with patience and with the proper tools to get the job done in the right way. The step by step process is mentioned below:
- The first step is to select either a standard circular saw or simply a wet-cut circular saw to cut out the granite for the sink. Both of them will work, but the wet-cut circular saw will easily produce some of the dust, but with the help of a small tube that drizzles the water onto the surface of the granite while doing the job. Cut out the granite slab in outdoors if possible.
- Place the granite slab on a work surface which must be sturdy, and then use a C-clamps, attaching every couple of feet all along the sides of granite slab, so that it will be tight. A workbench works very well, by securing the piece with the help of clamps, the vibration as well as the movement of the slab will be reduced, both of which can cause chipping.
- Protection gears are very important as the user must wear a dust mask, safety goggles, as well as ear protection. Cutting out the granite slab is loud, and it is a dusty prospect if a wet-cut circular saw is not used.
- With the help of a painter’s tape cover up all the section of the granite slab that is needed to cut for sink. This is because the tape will help to protect the surface as well as will reduce the risk of chipping, the placement of the painter's tape needs to be very precise. Just place 2 or 3 strips from all along the topside in the area where the cutting will be right through it.
- Measure the sink carefully and then make a cutline on the top of the painter’s tape with the help of a marker. Take the time and recheck the measurements to make sure that the cut will be done in the exact place. While cutting the granite, there is only one chance of getting it right.
- Fit a diamond blade that is designed for cutting the granite onto the saw. After that, make a short back-cut, about 2 inches long, right from the end of the cutline. This will help to reduce the risk of chipping. Making a back-cut is needed because the granite slab material becomes thin just before the saw breaks into the last bit of the stone at the end of the granite slab. If the back-cut is not done, then the vibrations from the saw can cause the chipping or even break off a chunk.
- After the back-cut is done, reposition the saw blade from the opposite end of the granite slab and then cut slowly all along the cutline. Try to focus on keeping the blade properly aligned on the cutline as well as maintain a light and the steady pressure on the saw without firmly pressing it, simply let the blade do the work. With the same light pressure finish the cut. It totally depends on the length of the cut, this can take 15 minutes or even longer.
- Peel off the tape from the granite slab and check the smooth, clean cut. Leave the granite as it is to settle the dust and suck it up with the help of a shop-type vacuum. If a wet-cut circular saw is used, then a thin wet slurry material will be there instead of dust, wipe this material off from the slab with the help of a damp rag.