How to Cut Marble

Updated: Sep. 06, 2019

A circular saw and a garden hose is all you need to cut your marble slab

FH98SEP_CUTMBL_01-2Family Handyman

Did you somehow acquire a slab of marble that you need to cut to size? You can use a circular saw and water hose to make all the cuts you need. Here's how.

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Do you need to cut a slab of marble?

Cutting marble

Mark your cutting line on wide tape, direct a trickle of water onto the front of the blade and then make your cut. Remember to wear your gloves and eye and ear protection!

Don’t worry; it’s not that hard. You can use an ordinary circular saw, equipped with a diamond blade, to wet-cut your marble. Because this will be a messy job and you’ll need your garden hose, you’ll want to work outdoors.

Protect your marble slab by placing it on a 2-in. thick piece of rigid foam. Mark your cutting line with a marker on a wide piece of tape.

Using a hand clamp to hold the hose in place, direct a trickle of water on the front of the diamond blade to cool it. Put on your eye protection and make your cut. You’ll be surprised how quickly the marble cuts using this low-tech method. The edge might be a bit rough, but you can smooth them using an orbital sander and slowly working your way from 40 to 400 grit sandpaper.

Expect to pay about up to $120 for a 7-in. diamond blade and about $40 for a GFCI extension cord. These items are available at home centers.

CAUTION!

Because you’ll be wet-cutting, plug your saw into a GFCI outlet.

Required Tools for this cutting marble project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

  • Circular saw
  • Extension cord
  • Hearing protection
  • Orbital sander
  • Safety glasses
  • Straightedge
  • Tape measure

Required Materials for this cutting marble with circular saw project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

  • 2-in. Rigid foam
  • Diamond blade
  • Painter's tape
  • Wide masking tape