Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help!
Answer   ||    Advanced Search

Ask your question or search...
International Sites: Nederlandse experts vragen
User Name 
Password 
Join   Forgot password? 

Home > Home & Garden > Interior Home Improvement   »   cutting granite countertop

Question
 
 
#1  
Old Nov 3, 2009, 12:16 PM
shnrgrl
New Member
shnrgrl is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
shnrgrl See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
cutting granite countertop

Hi,everyone. We have an "L" shaped island in our kitchen We would like to remove and reuse the granite countertop, but it would mean just making 2 straight cuts to alter its size. It only has to be cut about 22" on 1 side, and 42" on the other. There are only 3 cabinets that the granite is laying on. Is this something that should be left to professionals- if it can even be done at all? Since they would have the proper tools, would there still be a high risk of the granite breaking? As I said, there are only 2 straight cuts to be made. No obstacles ---kitchen sink, etc. Thank you for your help!
Gregg and Kathy

Reply With Quote
 
     

Answers
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 12:58 PM   #2  
Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
ballengerb1 is offline
 
ballengerb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Posts: 15,449
ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Some homeowners might have the right tools to cut granite but even my shop would not attempt it. A pro would use a wet saw and also be able to grind the edges smooth.

Comments on this post
shnrgrl agrees: very helpful and explainatory. Made answer clear
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:02 PM   #3  
New Member
shnrgrl is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
shnrgrl See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Thanks for your answer. One thing I did forget to ask----before we're even able to reuse the countertop----how difficult is it to remove the countertop from the cabinets? Granite was professionally installed---maybe epoxy was used???
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:05 PM   #4  
Home Improvement & Construction Expert
hkstroud is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Alex, VA
Posts: 4,134
hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Granite can be cut with a circular saw and a diamond embedded blade such as shown below. Lay on a flat surface so that both pieces will be adequately supported.

Comments on this post
shnrgrl agrees: very helpful. really appreciate pic of blade
Attached Images
 
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:19 PM   #5  
Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
ballengerb1 is offline
 
ballengerb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Posts: 15,449
ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
They do not use epoxy, usually just silicone around the edges. It is important to raise the counter evenly so very small wedges driven along one edge will get it started. I'd draw a utility knife long the edge to get a start. harold is correct, that kind of blade will cut granite. However, it will not produce an edge like you need for a counter top.
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:24 PM   #6  
New Member
shnrgrl is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
shnrgrl See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Oh,wow. So, in order to get the beveled edge that we have on rest of countertop, we would have to have the cut professionally done, right? We would like to have the newly cut granite edges match existing edges. Thanks again!
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:27 PM   #7  
Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
ballengerb1 is offline
 
ballengerb1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Posts: 15,449
ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.ballengerb1 See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
I don't think any of us could make that beveled edge even with all the tools we have. Pros use a special router and grinding equipment to get that edge and the smoothness required. Call around, you may have difficulty finding a pro willing to do this work for a price worth doing. they would much rather sell granite than work on yours.
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 02:32 PM   #8  
New Member
shnrgrl is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12
shnrgrl See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ballengerb1 View Post
I don't think any of us could make that beveled edge even with all the tools we have. Pros use a special router and grinding equipment to get that edge and the smoothness required. Call around, you may have difficulty finding a pro willing to do this work for a price worth doing. they would much rather sell granite than work on yours.
Thank you so much for your advise. We will look around and see what we can find. Hopefully sucessfully! Thanks for your help.
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 3, 2009, 04:02 PM   #9  
Home Improvement & Construction Expert
hkstroud is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Alex, VA
Posts: 4,134
hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
I know that the beveling and the rounding over of edges is done with a hand grinder but I don't know what kind of wheel. Don't know how polishing is done, probably a certain type of sand paper on hand grinder. Call around.
  Reply With Quote
 
     
 
 
Old Nov 4, 2009, 01:31 AM   #10  
Home Improvement & Construction Expert
hkstroud is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Alex, VA
Posts: 4,134
hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.hkstroud See this member's comment history on his/her Profile page.
..
Attached Images
   
  Reply With Quote
 
     

Your Answer
Email me when someone replies to my answer
Join Login



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes
Ask your question or search...



Similar Threads
Installing a granite countertop for a bar
(1 replies)
installing 12x12 granite tiles as countertop
(9 replies)
Kitchen Faucet install on Granite Countertop
(1 replies)
installing granite tiles on countertop
(1 replies)
install granite tile countertop
(0 replies)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version
Email this Page Email this Page
Search this Thread

Advanced Search

Bookmarks





Copyright ©2003 - 2009, Ask Me Help Desk.
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:08 AM.