Can you cut quartz countertop

Place your straight edge next to a line that you plan to cut and attach it to your quartz using clamps. Place the edge of your circular saw's base plate along the straight edge to see if your grease marking line aligns with your saw's guiding line. If it doesn't, adjust your straight edge accordingly. This will make the remaining portion of you slab easier to move and brace. Adjust the blade in your circular saw to cut through the quartz. You want your blade to go all the way through the bottom of the quartz.

Lift the blade guard and use the lever next to your saw's handle to adjust the blade so that it sticks out roughly 1—2 inches 2. Lock your blade guard in place and rest the base plate on top of the quartz near the area you're cutting.

Check your guiding line and pull the trigger on your saw to start cutting. Put both hands on the top handles of your circular saw, and line up the guiding line on the base plate with your grease marker line. Pull the trigger on your circular saw and wait for it to reach full speed before pushing it forward slightly.

This will ensure that your saw doesn't go sliding away from the guiding line when you apply pressure to it. Cut all the way through your grease marker line. Let the saw do most of the work. It will naturally move forward as it cuts, so you shouldn't be pushing very hard.

If your saw blade begins to kickback or smoke, release the trigger on your saw and wait minutes for you saw blade to cool off. A wet saw is going to prevent heat from building up, but you're unlikely to have a wet saw laying around your workshop.

Consider renting a wet saw if you want to avoid a smoking blade. Repeat this process to make all of your straight cuts. The straight edge and circular saw will work for every straight cut that you have to make. Repeat this process until you've cut through every straight line on your slab of quartz. Method 3. Set up your guide rail for cutting with a plunge saw. Set up your plunge saw's guide rail on top of your guiding line. You can affix the guide rail to the quartz with clamps if you'd like, but a plunge saw guide rail is usually designed to rest on its own.

Your guide rail will have an opening in the middle for you to see your grease markings. Instead, use painter's tape and wrap it around the edges where you're going to cut, and then set up your guide rail to cut a square out of the middle of your sink's outline.

A plunge saw is also known as a track saw. Line up the back of your saw blade with any corner of your sink's outline. There is a slot or marker on the side of your plunge saw where your blade ends in the back.

Release your blade all the way up so that it isn't sticking out through your base plate, and line up the corner of the sink with this line. A lot of sinks don't have form-fitting lips that you need to cut perfectly into. Attach your plunge saw to the guide rail. The guide rail that comes with your plunge saw has groves in it for you to insert the plunge saw.

After you've lined up your guide rail with the grease marking, put your saw on top of the guide rail and lock it into place if it has a locking mechanism. Drop your plunge saw slowly and begin to guide it forward. Put both hands on the handles on top of your saw, and slowly lower the blade into your quartz.

Guide the saw forward slowly as you cut and stop once you've reached the corner where your next side begins. Repeat this process for each side of the sink. This will make working away the rest of the material easier because you'll have room to maneuver your quartz grinder. Use a grinder to work away the excess sections of a circular sink. Use a diamond blade and wear your protective gear when working with an angle grinder.

Practice on a spare piece of quartz that you don't plan on using to get used to how it feels. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article?

Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Quartz can sometimes be found in commercial kitchens, but chefs make it a point to remind their staff that cutting boards should always be used even though quartz surfaces are known to resist scratching, which is something that also applies to stainless steel.

Although quartz is a manmade construction material, its composition is mostly natural. Established quartz fabricators ensure their slabs contain more than 90 percent natural quartz and resin, which are typically found in natural stones such as marble and quartzite. The hardness of quartz countertops is determined by its mineralization. High-quality slabs contain more silicon dioxide than granite, thereby making them harder than granite but softer than stainless steel and diamonds.

The standard of measuring mineral hardness is the Mohs scale, which field geologists have used since In essence, the Mohs scale is based on the ability of some minerals and materials to scratch others. Diamonds are at the top of the scale, which runs from 1 to Chalky clay is at the very bottom along with calcium sulfates such as gypsum. When geologists take a Mohs scale kit to the field, they essentially grab mineral samples to scratch other rocks with.

Quite a few stainless steel knives rank around 7 on the Mohs scale, thereby enabling them to scratch quartz countertops, which also rank around 7.

If you cut directly on quartz, you may not immediately notice the scratches, which illustrates the scratch resistance properties of engineered stone. Use soft materials such as cloth or rubber foam in the area to be clamped so as not to result in scratching of the quartz surface.

Using a tape measure or ruler, measure the area to be cut. If the purpose of the cut is to mount a new sink or other kitchen equipment , make sure to double-check with the actual equipment. It is important to note that the measurements are to be made on the outside border of this equipment to leave the room to fit inside the cut area. Mark the area with a marker or powder chalk. Professionals recommend spraying substances to make the powdered chalk set.

Hairspray is a command household item that will easily do the job. Prepare the tools needed. Make sure to properly fit the diamond tip on the circular saw. Follow tool instructions in making sure that the blade is secured. Remember that this is a sharp tool that spins very fast. Mishandling might lead to serious injuries. Remember to fill the reservoir with water if using a wet saw which is recommended. Run the saw a few times to let water through the blades before cutting.

Gently but steadily run the blade through the quartz. Make sure not to apply too much pressure as this might result in cracks and make you prone to accidents. The blade will do its job. You only need to patiently guide it through. Another best practice is to clamp a straight edge on the side of the marked line to securely guide the saw. Guide the saw until you reach the end of the marking. If exhausted rest. It is dangerous to handle power tools while fatigued.

Want to see a finely cut quartz countertop? Find inspiration for your kitchen remodel in our Bianco Pepper quartz project. Speaking of professionals, Granite Selection is a leading supplier of Granite , Quartz and other natural stone in the Chicagoland area. We are located in Elk Grove Village Illinois and will service the surrounding mile area.