If you’re looking to cut through brick, using a reciprocating saw is a great way to do it. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before you start cutting.
In short, to cut brick with a reciprocating saw, you will need to use a masonry blade. First, mark the line where you want to cut. Then, set the blade to the correct depth. Finally, cut through the entire thickness of the brick.
In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of how to cut brick with a reciprocating saw, as well as some tips for getting the best results. So if you’re ready to get started, keep reading!
How To Cut Brick With Reciprocating Saw Step By Step:
Here are some steps that you should take to cut brick with your saw:
1) Prepare
Before you do anything else, make sure the saw is at its lowest speed. Because you’re cutting through brick, this will reduce heat and wear on your blade.
Also, if it’s a wet day out, let the bricks dry out for a few days before you cut them so they don’t absorb water from the air.
If you’re going to be cutting a lot of brick, pick up a box of metal cutting blades to give yourself a little more time between blade changes.
2) Mark Your Cut Line
Now it’s time to mark where you’re going to cut your bricks. Use a straight piece of wood and a marker to draw a line all the way across each brick you plan on cutting through.
Make sure when you make this line that there’s at least 1/4 inch from the edge of any stone next to it, including its surrounding mortar lines. This will ensure an even break when it comes time for your saw blade to pass through.
It’s also important that these lines are perpendicular to the edge of the brick you’re cutting through because it will help ensure an even cut.
3) Use a Chisel and Hammer for Hollow Cuts
If your bricks are hollow (like they sometimes become after repeated freeze/thaw cycles), then you’ll need to use a chisel and hammer in addition to your saw.
Once you’ve marked out where your cuts will be made, start with lighter taps against the joints between the brick and mortar lines.
Slowly work up to stronger strikes until there’s enough room for the blade of your reciprocating saw to fit through.
4) Cut Stone by Stone
Now that everything is marked out, go ahead and start cutting stone by stone. Make sure before each pass with your blade that you slowly push the blade through until it’s about halfway through.
This will help to clear out excess dust and stone so your blade doesn’t get caught on anything while cutting.
Safety Tips:
Here are some safety tips
1) Wear Protective Equipment
You’ll definitely want to wear protective equipment when you’re cutting brick with a reciprocating saw. Goggles and gloves should be standard, but it’s also important to protect your ears by wearing earplugs or earmuffs.
It will take longer for you to finish cutting brick if you don’t wear proper eye protection, so please keep that in mind as well.
2) Cutting Brick is Messy
Because of the nature of what you’re doing (cutting through hundreds of pounds of stone), this isn’t something you should do outside unless there’s literally no chance of rain in the forecast.
You should plan on dust getting everywhere and add cleanup time depending on how much you’re cutting.
3) Don’t Overtax Your Saw
Depending on the length of your cut and what you’re cutting through, it can be tempting to use a saw that’s more powerful than what you actually need.
This only leads to trouble, however, as it makes it harder for you to guide the blade without breaking it or wearing out your motor faster than necessary.
4) Don’t Force Your Blade
Sometimes this happens when people try to make too big of a cut all at once. If your saw starts having a hard time making small cuts or simply refuses to move at all, then something is probably wrong with the blade.
This usually means that there’s a large knot in one part of the blade which prevents it from cutting smoothly. Stop what you’re doing and replace the part of the blade that’s causing trouble.
5) Move-in Straight
Move-in Straight, Even Cuts If you start by making small cuts with your saw’s bottom level before moving to its top blade, this is the best practice for most reciprocating saws.
If you make an angled cut with your top blade, it will be more likely to break or get caught on something.
6) Avoid Breaking Bricks
If you’re doing a job that requires cutting through broken or damaged bricks, then you might end up with the same problem. It’s not always possible to tell if any given brick is in poor condition until after it’s already been cut.
If your blade begins doing anything other than cutting and moving smoothly, stop and try again with a new brick.
Conclusion:
In this article, I showed you how to cut brick with a reciprocating saw. I highlighted the importance of using the right blade for the job and demonstrated how to make a straight cut.
Finally, I shared a few tips on how to avoid common mistakes when using this type of saw. Are you feeling confident? Give it a try! Remember to always wear safety gear and be careful when cutting near electrical wires.
FAQs:
What type of blade do you need to use to cut brick with a reciprocating saw?
You’ll need a general-purpose blade with coarse teeth.
How do you cut brick without breaking it?
The best way to avoid breaking bricks is by making small cuts at first and getting used to how your saw works before tackling anything large.
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to cut brick with a reciprocating saw?
A common mistake people make when trying to cut brick with a reciprocating saw is not having the proper protective gear on, such as in an extremely dusty environment.
Another mistake is using a blade that isn’t sharp enough to cut through the brick without struggling.
It’s also a mistake to use a hammer action for this type of job as it can damage the blade.
A final mistake is making too big of a cut all at once, which increases the risk of breaking or wearing out your saw faster than necessary.