Brick and Stone Cutting Tools

Better than using a karate chop

Manual masonry cutting tools

These are the tools whose forbearers go back to the pyramid builders. They are also the tools that make up the insignia on your grandfathers Fraternal Order of Masons ring.

Masonry hammer: Used for setting and cutting brick, block, and stone. Usually 15 to 24-oz. with a wooden, fiberglass or steel handle. The 24-oz. model by Estwing is one of the most popular among professional masons.

Chisel: Goldblatt Masonry Tools offers a number of different sized tools for under $15. Used for scoring, cutting or trimming brick or masonry blocks.

Power masonry cutting tools

For millennia, masons would toil with the aforementioned tools in order to cut rock and brick to size. Fortunately, these days we no longer have to toil in such a way to get the same results.

Chop saws: This is the most common way masonry is cut down to size. The saws usually have a 14-inch diamond blade that can make short work of tough stone, concrete and brick, while leaving a very smooth cut. Wet saws are an upgrade that uses water to lubricate the blade and facilitate more difficult cuts.

Water jet cutting: Water jets are the coolest new technology for cutting not only rock and brick, but also high density ceramics, glass, and steel. The jets are very accurate and can cut stone to a precision that could never before be obtained. It is still mainly an industrial process, so the possibilities of the technology are exciting.

Angle grinder: With the right blade, an angle grinder can be a great masonry tool. The tool itself can attain upwards of 40,000 RPM and deliver a very focused and high power cutting potential.

Rotary cutting tools: Until water jet cutting is available at an affordable price, the rotary cutting tool is the closest most of us will come to a power tool that can make intricate cuts in masonry applications. These tools can make incredibly delicate cuts.

More information on brick and block tools