Flagstone is a very popular type of stone used in a wide variety of landscaping projects from patios and walkways to fireplaces, walls, waterscapes. When you need to cut flagstone to a desired size or shape, you have several options. If you need a clean, straight cut you will need to borrow or rent a masonry saw. If a rough or approximate edge is desired, you can score it with a circular saw or a hammer and chisel and break it along the score line.
To cut flagstones to an exact size or for a straight edge, rent a masonry saw from a tool rental facility or your local home improvement store. Mark a straight line on the flagstone and use the masonry saw to cut along the line. Don’t try to force it or push too hard on the saw. Let the weight of the saw and the saw blade do all of the work. This is a very loud and dusty job so be sure to wear ear protection, googles, and a dust mask.
For a rough edge, use a hammer and a chisel to score along the line. Turn the stone over and do the same thing on the other side. Keep at it until the stone breaks along the line. Don’t hit it too hard or the stone will split where you don’t want it to.
If the stone is too thick to break using a hammer and chisel, you can use a masonry blade in a circular saw to score the line in the stone. These blades are not strong enough to easily cut through the whole stone, but they can cut a groove in the stone. Cut both sides and tap along the line with your chisel to cause the stone to break along the line.
