how to cut fire brick with average tool kit?

[steveo3002]

got a set of these to pack out the fireplace a bit , ideally could do with trimming a corner off for a better fit

any ideas what i can use to cut /trim one...got hammer , chisel , angle grinder with 1mm steel cutter , nothing especially for "stone"

 

[dan.taylor.1]

I killed a diamond blade on my 9" grinder cutting bricks for my forge, they're very hard. Stone saw with water would be best.

 

[OJCar]

Same as making a half brick.
Go round the cut line with a bolster chisel and a hammer to get a groove all the way around.
This prevents the cracks running away from the cut.
Then split it along the groove with the bolster chisel and hammer.

Or get a proper bricklayer to give it a couple of taps with the edge of his trowel!

 

[DanZac]

I just got a cheap thin stone blade for the angle grinder when I fitted a set a couple of years back.

Cut them with no problems.

Masonry/Stone Stone Cutting Disc 4 1/2

Order online at Screwfix.com. Good quality, long lasting disc for cutting and trimming stone. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 5 minutes.

www.screwfix.com

 

[RJY]

Stone wheel for grinder, if it's too hard to wear it away with something.

 

[dobbslc]

I've been using a cheap diamond disc a got at Screwfix in my 4" grinder recently.
It cuts bricks like a hot knife through butter!

 

[brightspark]

just buy a cheapo 4 inch diamond wheel from screwfix as above .that will cut it no problem and you still have it to cut other stuff

 

[Kram]

I killed a diamond blade on my 9" grinder cutting bricks for my forge, they're very hard. Stone saw with water would be best.

Either a cheap blade, overheated or used wrong. Diamond being the hardest know to man, its not going to be blunted by a bit of soft rock!

I have some cheap lidl/aldi diamond blades, they take a lot of abuse.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Either a cheap blade, overheated or used wrong. Diamond being the hardest know to man, its not going to be blunted by a bit of soft rock!

I have some cheap lidl/aldi diamond blades, they take a lot of abuse.

When I was landscaping I had a selection of blades.

Different brands cut different stone better/worse.

Another thing I used to do was run a blade through a brick/block to expose new diamond.

Bought an expensive 4" tile blade a few months back. Wouldn't cut natural stone worth a damn but does a beautiful job on ceramic/porcelain.

 

[Pete.]

A cheapo diamond blade will cut those fire brick easy.

TIP: If a diamond blade goes blunt just flip it over and run it the other way. If that doesn't work you need a softer blade. You could run a trickle of water onto the blade which will keep it cool but if you do it with a normal 240v grinder you run a real risk of electrocuting yourself.

 

[Kram]

As its not already mentioned, generally you want water, not just for cooling but dust reduction. However as these are fire bricks, Id avoid getting them wet as they will crack, if heated while wet.

Wear a proper mask! Anything you will cut with a diamond blade will fook up your lungs!!

Bought an expensive 4" tile blade a few months back. Wouldn't cut natural stone worth a damn but does a beautiful job on ceramic/porcelain.

Tile blades will be fine grit while stone/general blades are very coarse and cut much faster. If you use a grinder blade on tiles it needs a lot of care or they shatter a good distance from the cut.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Tile blades will be fine grit while stone/general blades are very coarse and cut much faster. If you use a grinder blade on tiles it needs a lot of care or they shatter a good distance from the cut.

They were limestone. Nothing challenging. Just wouldn't cut well. Similar tile blade works a treat.

Had misplaced my go to tile blade (in a screw organiser. Go figure) which cuts limestone beautifully. Only other blade I had to hand was segmented.

 

[merryman]

Depends what type of "fire brick" it is. I cut mine with a normal wood saw, that is fine for the normal stuff. Refractory brick would be different.

 

[RJY]

Depends what type of "fire brick" it is. I cut mine with a normal wood saw, that is fine for the normal stuff. Refractory brick would be different.

That I guess is "vermiculate" sheet available in various thicknesses to replace woodstove-type "firebricks". Soft stuff, as you say, not like refactory brick, "Purimachos" etc.