Cutting Granite

[vkumar]

I need to replace a cooktop on my granite countertop. The new cooktop needs a 2 inch wider cutout than existing.

I am trying to get a a granite guy to come an do it but am having a heck of a a time to get someone to come and do it.

So not that I want to do this myself, but was wondering if I were to do it myself, how would I go about doing it.

1. A diamond blade
2. A worm gear saw ?  I have  worm gear Skilsaw. I also have a TS 75
3. A disc grinder . I have one.
4. Water sprayer?

If any of you have done this I would appreciate how to tips.

Vijay

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have not do this myself but I know others that have.  Take the countertop outside and dry cut with a grinder with a diamond blade.  Be careful moving the granite, it is very heavy and fragile at the cooktop cutout area.     

 

[vkumar]

Brice thanks for your advice. Unfortunately this is an existing countertop and this will be new stove in an existing undersized cutout. No possibility of taking the counter out.

 

[denovo]

I ended up doing this for a client who also couldn't find a granite guy for the job.  I used a grinder with a smooth rim diamond blade attached to a sled I made to travel down a guide rail for a straight 90 degree cut.  The guide rail was attached to the counter top using the gecko clamp.  I attached a vacuum hose to the sled to capture as much dust as possible and had an assistant spraying the blade with water while cutting.  It still produced a lot of dust but it worked and got the job done! 

 

[Peter_C]

I would assume the edges are covered by the cook top? If so I would use a 4 1/2" grinder with a top quality blade. A dust collector/vacuum can be held by someone else, which should catch 85%. Two hands on the grinder and brace your arms.

Edit: Like this one.https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JBJ7C2K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit 2: Round corners don't crack, but square ones do. Pre-drill the corners with a diamond bit and use plenty of water. You should be able to use a wet dry vac, a towel, or a bucket of some kind to contain the water. At least a 1/2" hole.

 

[vkumar]

Thank you all. Very helpful.

 

[JimD]

I was here when the installers brought in our counter tops last year.  They are granite.  They did not totally cut out for the cooktop so the slab was less fragile.  They finished the cuts with an angle grinder with a diamond blade and the second guy used a shop vac to minimize dust.  There was still a lot of dust for me to clean up. 

 

[TinyShop]

For improved dust collection when using an angle grinder (ideally, as others have mentioned, in conjunction with a guide rail) why not make use of something like this?

Haven't used one personally but it seems like it might do the trick.

 

[Oldwood]

If you have drawers below the cook-top the dust will destroy the roller guides. Best to remove them before you cut. Also if you can use some poly to contain the dust to one area , that is worth doing and as has been said a vacuum.

 

[Cheese]

Here's a grinder that Festool sells.  [attachimg=1]  [attachimg=2]

I've used an ATS diamond blade on a TSC 55 and a rail to cut porcelain tile. ATS also sells diamond blades for cutting granite & quartz.
https://www.atsdiamondtools.co.uk/product-category/cutting/

 

[rst]

While Festool does not sell their grinder over here, Metabo does...Metabo W12-125 HD Set CED Plus and it will work with Festool tracks...I use Makita tracks, save my Festool tracks for fine work.

 

[blaszcsj]

+1 on ats and tsc 55.

 

[Tinker]

I would cut it in place. If you have not handled granite before, it is extremely brittle and it will surely break if you try to move it outside. If you have hot air heat, be sure to tape all the cold air returns. A good idea to cover the heat ducts as well. One time, I forgot. I am lucky to be having this discussion. The responder who suggested drilling the  corners of the cut gave good advice also.
Tinker