Can I cut granite slab with a regular cold chisel?

[pendragon1998]

I have a small piece (~6x10) of 1 inch thick granite countertop slab that is roughly trapezoidal in shape. I would like to square off the ends so I can mount it in a box. Can I use a regular cold chisel from sears to do that, or will I destroy the chisel? It doesn't have to be a pretty edge, just approximately square.

 

[shoot summ]

It's possible, why not get a cheap diamond blade for an angle grinder instead?

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-4-in-assorted-diamond-blades-69019.html

Lay tape where you want the cut, make a shallow cut following the tape, then continue to make passes until it is finished.

 

[pendragon1998]

Don't own an angle grinder, nearest HF is 1 hr away, the slab was free, and I already own several cold chisels.

 

[janbuick]

I think when you use a cold chisel it will cack the wrong way
perhaps you can borrow a grinder from a neighbor

jan

 

[A_Pmech]

Circular saw with a diamond blade would be my choice, unless you have a powerful tile saw.

The problem with using a chisel is the chance of breaking the granite in a direction you don't want to go.

 

[shoot summ]

Don't own an angle grinder, nearest HF is 1 hr away, the slab was free, and I already own several cold chisels.

HF has online sales, really cool, they deliver right to your house..

The quality of the "cut" you might get from the cold chisel will depend on the granite. It might come out great, or it might crack the whole piece.

Do you have a circular saw? You might be able to find a diamond blade for it instead of getting an angle grinder.

An angle grinder is on the list of tools that everyone should own.

 

[wrenchguy]

Circular saw with a diamond blade would be my choice, unless you have a powerful tile saw.

The problem with using a chisel is the chance of breaking the granite in a direction you don't want to go.

+1, if u've rented a concrete saw in the past u had to get a diamond blade. u get stuck with it when u return the saw. take the blade and put it in ur 12" miter saw and make ur cut slowly. works good, been there.

 

[Westly]

The chisel will just crack it and there's no predicting which way the crack wlll run.

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

Don't own an angle grinder, nearest HF is 1 hr away, the slab was free, and I already own several cold chisels.

Wait a second...

You don't own an angle grinder?

 

[Autorotica]

Id give it a try on a small corner, not end to end square at first.

I would use an air chisel (cold chisel could work too) and score the line on both sides of the granite and keep going with it until you have the break path pretty well defined.

Clamp it in a vise and see if you can snap it off like "cutting" glass.

Safety glasses, safety glasses and did I mention safety glasses?

Good

 

[shoot summ]

Wait a second...

You don't own an angle grinder?

I'm not sure which is worse, not owning one, or admitting on GJ that you don't own one...

 

[rsanter]

You cannot take a big chunk off
You can do what is called a chiseled edge where you tale a little off the edge at a time
This is generally done in the industry to give a rough natural looking edge and for art type stuff.
In your case you can keep doing it till you have it down to the shape you want.
It will not be straight but wavy. How wavy will be based on how good you are and how good you get

Bob

 

[pendragon1998]

I'm not sure which is worse, not owning one, or admitting on GJ that you don't own one...

Hey, take pity on me. I'm in the market for a lot of tools (angle grinder included)... just don't have the money to buy 'em all at once. I missed those great prices on the angle grinders at Tractor Supply last year or I'd have picked up one then.

 

[shoot summ]

Hey, take pity on me. I'm in the market for a lot of tools (angle grinder included)... just don't have the money to buy 'em all at once. I missed those great prices on the angle grinders at Tractor Supply last year or I'd have picked up one then.

Just messing with you man, it takes time to build the tool arsenal...

 

[Letsgobowhunting]

Home depot will cut tile for $1.00 a cut. Sell a couple of your chisels in the classified section and let the pros handle the tough stuff.

 

[uppster]

I do not think they will cut someone else's tile/granite.

 

[Trey T]

make score line all around the block and chisel it. I've seen it done but it takes a long time

 

[whyNick?]

OP, it sounds like you have the perfect excuse to buy a grinder.