Cutting Wheel Granite?

[karoc]

Preparing my present house put on market I need replace our cooktop. We have granite counter tops, which the opening for new cooktop is 1/2 to small. I need trim off 1/2 by about 24” long. Going to use a 4” angle grinder but I don’t know what cutting wheel will work best. Wheels that I did look at just looks like they for cutting tile. Anyone have any pointers as to what wheel I need and any advice for free handing this cut? Thanks

 

[seber]

You will want a lapidary diamond blade. Tile blades will work but take forever for that cut. Even with the correct blade, it will be slow going. The way abrasive blades work is the harder the material, the softer the binder. You can get plated blades but they may not last through the entire cut. A better blade is crimped. The diamond is impregnated into grooves at the edge of the blade. These cut faster and last longer. If you find the blade slows down during the cut, you can deglaze it by cutting into a brick or an old bench grinder wheel. MK is a good source. As usual, Chinese product are mostly worthless but if you do enough searching, you can find some that work. If you choose China, be sure to stick with crimped.
By the way, an angle grinder is way too fast for the purpose and you will want to use plenty of water to keep the blade and the granite cool. This is really a job for a purpose built tool.

 

[larry4406]

I have used a diamond wheel in a 4” grinder.

Mask edge, mark line with sharpie, use both hands on the tool while cutting.

Have an assistant running the shop vac.

Go slow.

 

[jar944]

I've not had any issues cutting granite with a circular saw or angle grinder running a variety of diamond blades.

 

[PCustoms]

I've not had any issues cutting granite with a circular saw or angle grinder running a variety of diamond blades.

I would never, ever use a cheap circular saw, plugged into a GFCI, a diamond blade, a piece of 1/4" tube zip tied to the frame and hooked to a valve on a hose to trickle water on the cut.

That would be really dangerous.

 

[mike93lx]

No recommendation on the granite cut, but do you really need to replace this cooktop? Is the old one completely non functioning?

 

[karoc]

No recommendation on the granite cut, but do you really need to replace this cooktop? Is the old one completely non functioning?

Sad but true, we had appliance guy come out to make repairs but after checking for parts found were obsolete. It was over 25yrs and it showed its age. Hoping that new cooktop will help make a sale for potential buyer.
Guys thanks for all suggestions, going Floor Decor for tile hole saw and blade for granite

 

[dcg9381]

This is what we used, a wet/dry Makita with a diamond blade.

Makita USA - Product Details -XCC01Z

18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 5" Wet/Dry Masonry Saw, AWS® Capable, Tool Only

www.makitatools.com

I'd use an edge guide for the saw, not do it by hand. You'll have to polish it a bit after as the edge will be sharp.

 

[larry4406]

This is what we used, a wet/dry Makita with a diamond blade.

Makita USA - Product Details -XCC01Z

18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 5" Wet/Dry Masonry Saw, AWS® Capable, Tool Only

www.makitatools.com

I'd use an edge guide for the saw, not do it by hand. You'll have to polish it a bit after as the edge will be sharp.

No polishing needed for the rough opening to drop in a cooktop.

 

[jar944]

I would never, ever use a cheap circular saw, plugged into a GFCI, a diamond blade, a piece of 1/4" tube zip tied to the frame and hooked to a valve on a hose to trickle water on the cut.

That would be really dangerous.

If you move the slab outside you can skip the water.

 

[mike93lx]

If you move the slab outside you can skip the water.

Gotta use the t shirt respirator... Geez

 

[jar944]

Gotta use the t shirt respirator... Geez

Nah, just hold your breath. It's a quick cut.

Don't forget to use safety squint

 

[liliysdad]

I had to open the hole in my counter for a new sink a while back. A HF Diamond blade on my 4" cordless grinder made incredibly quick work of the issue.

 

[karoc]

I had to open the hole in my counter for a new sink a while back. A HF Diamond blade on my 4" cordless grinder made incredibly quick work of the issue.

I be dang, I was looking at their set of diamond hole saw kit