The Right Tool for the Job

[dmun]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

You can rent a brick saw. Beware of places that charge for blade wear - it's a rip-off! If you have to use such a place rent the wet saw without the blade, and buy your own blade.

That said, there's only so much you can do in one day, and you may find you want to fit your bricks more carefully as you go up. I don't regret buying the HF saw. If you really don't need it you can resell it on ebay or craigslist, and end up paying not much more than you would have paid for a day's rental.

What I rented is a concrete mixer, separate trips for both pours. That was cheap to rent, and nothing I wanted to store.

[jmhepworth]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I can't imagine building the oven without a power tool to cut the bricks. I'm sure the professionals can do it, but I couldn't. I also don't think I could have done it with a rental. There were too many times when I needed to shave a bit off a brick to make it fit better. I needed to trim corners from the very first course to avoid those skinny isosceles triangles. There is no way I could have anticipated those to cut them in advance, and there is no way I could have trimmed the brick manually. There were many times, however, when I wished I had a compound miter saw. I don't think well in three dimensions, so a tool that thinks that way for me would have been very helpful. Instead, I shimmed a lot on the HF saw trying to get the right angle, and I had to start over on some of the bricks more than once, particularly in the transition to the arch. That was a bear. If I had the oven to build over again, I would buy the HF saw.

Joe

[cecilB]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I have some questions for you about cutting bricks - Harbor Freight's brick cutter is 259.00 - And we have a store right here in Topeka. However, they also have what looks like to me (I don't know anything about this stuff...but I'm learning...) is a manual brick cutter. I know, if that's what it is, it will take FOREVER, and could be tedious, but can that work?

Can you rent brick cutters?

Can it happen, that if you are inexperienced, and you cut all your bricks at once (with a rental), that you could have cut them all wrong?

Thanks
Cecelia

[Neil2]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I rented a water bath saw for the bulk cutting into halfs, thirds etc. Cut them all in an hour.

For the beveling cuts as you proceed up the dome, a chop saw will work OK. And you can use it for other tasks. To cut down on dust and to extend the life of the cutting blade, soak the bricks in a pail of water for 1/2 hour or so or until they stop bubbling.

[madmax224]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

The main reason other than the mess and respiratory concerns is the damage to the saw. The dust is so fine it will damage a normal saw if it gets into the motor or any unsealed bearings. If that's not a concern than there isn't a difference.

[jmhepworth]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

It seems like the only post I ever make promotes the HF saw. Not only is it on sale, but if you register on their website they send a 20% off coupon by email now and then. I just got one today. I used the saw to cut pavers for a path and patio, and the firebrick is so much softer than pavers that it cuts almost too easily. The pavers chewed up the blade faster than the firebrick does as well. I strongly recommend hearing and eye protection. I've also had it grab a firebrick and pull it out of my hands to the back of the saw, so keep hands and fingers to the side of the blade.

[fxpose]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

Oops.....you guys are right. After speaking to one of our clients who happens to be a general contractor, wet saws are generally used and in many instances, mandatory.

[Les]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

Go to any construction site. Building blocks and bricks are dry cut.

Not really true. My neighbor has a monster wet saw that will cut block. Installing pavers and BBQ island's, you will need to cut brick/stone. But.... with proper design you should never need to cut a block (other than miters)

[shuboyje]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I'm a union sheetmetal worker on jobsites every day in Detroit and every bricky I've ever worked with makes the vast majority of their cuts on a wet saw and ALWAYS has a wet saw on site setup right next to their staging area with their mixer.

Makes perfect sense to me. Tiles are one thing. I use an old dedicated circular saw just for cutting bricks and concrete blocks. On occasion I'll install a masonry wheel on my larger compound miter saw and use it to cut bricks.
Go to any construction site. Building blocks and bricks are dry cut.

[Nabber86]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

You can get OSHA approved dust mask for 3 dollars. I understand the aesthetics of working without dust and the dangers of working with, but if you want performance for little capital outlay, a chop saw is a really good option.

If I would have found a $200 chinese wet saw in time for my project shedule, I probaly would have went for it (bad scheduling skills!).

[fxpose]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

Well, for $200, I might get just get that 10" wet saw for my planned WFO project.

[Les]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

FYI

I just saw an ad from Harbor Freight where the brick saw was on sale for $189.00 - that is less then I paid 3 years ago.

Les...

[Ken524]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

Nabber,

Many of us have bought the 10" Harbor Freight tile & brick wet saw: 2.5 Horsepower 10" Industrial Tile/Brick Saw

It can usually be found at local stores on sale for UNDER $200. For a cheap Chinese import, it rocks. I used this thing to cut all my dome refractory bricks, then all the decorative stone for my enclosure. Now, with a new diamond tile blade, I'm cutting the tile for 160 sq feet of outdoor counter top.

With bit of careful shimming, it can cut complex compound cuts for dome bricks.

I cut over 250 bricks for my dome, most of them had multiple, compound cuts. I can't image the dust issue I would have had without a wet saw.

That's why we are using a wet saw to cut brick

[pwcoppard]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I used my compound mitre saw. Soaked the bricks well, and plugged a shop-vac into the back to suck up the dust. Wearing a mask is good advice.

Then used the dust underneath the hearth. Was able to do some pretty fancy cuts to help with the dome, particularly at the entrance.

[RTflorida]

Re: The Right Tool for the Job

I have to side with the wet saw. My backyard, front yard, or even my garage are not a construction site (for the most part); so the huge clouds of dust from dry cutting are a big deal (to me). Not to mention the respiratory issues.....this dust WILL penetrate anything short of a fine particulate respirator.
All that said, I already owned a wet saw as I have done a lot of tiling. Cutting firebrick finally did in my MK so I upgraded to the 10" Harbor Freight...as I've stated before, I am not a fan of cheap Chinese tools, but this is the best $200 tool money can buy. Very surprising. Unless you are a tiler by trade, no need to spend $600+ on a tile saw. I've since done a granite tile and 2 porceline tile jobs and no issues with the saw. Hell, I'm still using the original $30 blade I bought with the saw.

Please, just buy a good respirator if you choose to dry cut...or you may not live long enough to enjoy your hard work.

RT