Best way of cutting through these slabs

[Jaayson]

I've been taking up the slabs in the garden to put in a new patio and some turf, however the slabs are the originals from when the house where built and cross over between our garden and next door. I need to cut them where the fence is as I obviously can't just dig up the slabs the go into there garden, especially as they have decking ontop of the slabs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[foxhole]

Grinder, the bigger the better.

 

[alan333]

A 9" grinder might do the job, but if you use regular stone blades they wear quickly and might not cut deep enough to get through the slab thickness. A diamond blade would work better, but if you have more than one or two to cut then bite the bullet and hire a stone saw, like this (complete with a diamond blade)...

http://www.hss.com/hire/p/cut-off-saw-300mm-petrol

Remember they can be dangerous, so only use one of these if you're confident enough and are aware of the dangers.

 

[r896neo]

a 9'' ginder will cut closer to the fence than a power saw/cut off saw which is quite bulky, however a cut off saw had a clutch should the blade catch making it miles safer. In a grinder if the blade catches your wrist is the clutch... Also a 9'' grinder will only cut about 65mm deep whereas a cut off saw will cut a full 100mm.

 

[Jaayson]

I've already got a 9inch angle grinder, could I score a line and then use a hammer and bolster to knock through deeper and break the slab along this line? I've got a total of 4 slabs to do.

Thanks

 

[r896neo]

If you can cut halfway through the thickness they will almost certainly break at the line but Its always a risk. Older slabs may have minute cracks in them etc which will break when you hit it, Its safer obviously to fully cut it but if they are 50mm a 25mm score/cut should be ok.

If the flags are thicker than 50mm it may not go so well.