Cutting Granite Quick Tip.

If the incorrect blade is used when cutting granite, a relatively simple job can become much harder. The correct approach to a granite… and most other natural stones cutting project… is using a blade with a soft bond. A hard-bonded blade will not work or wear properly, and eventually, you will either lose the ability to cut completely, or you will spend far more time cutting than the project actually requires. In many cases, large diameter diamond saw blades are the most efficient tools to use when cutting granite. The surface area they cover, and the RPM they provide, can substantially reduce the amount of time spent on a job without sacrificing cutting quality or precision.

Tips For Granite Countertop Polishing.

Assuming your countertop is natural granite, and that you will be polishing it as one of the final steps in fabricating it, you should be aware that even the most perfectly designed and executed granite countertop project can be ruined during the polishing process. Too many fabricators, both pro and do-it-yourselfers alike, fail to realize and understand the variety and applications of granite and stone polishing tools available. Instead, they use a single tool or pad, and either fail to utilize all of the steps and subtleties that good granite polishing requires, or they invest far more time than is necessary in the project... while still failing to achieve the look and feel they wanted. Polishing granite is not rocket science, but it will pay to spend some time obtaining an understanding of the process and identifying its most appropriate tools. Polishing granite is a process that usually requires several stages, and each stage is accompanied by a unique tool which will help you to progress to the next stage. Like sanding wood to a smooth and fine finish, each step of polishing granite warrants a finer grit level for your polishing pad, and perhaps, a progessively lighter touch as well.

Other DIY Granite Fabricating Help.

The internet is, afterall, the information super highway. And obviously, this website is not the only place to find how-to information for DIY granite countertop fabricating. So, let's recommend a few other Net places where there's good DIY information to be had. Need more info on cutting and installing a self-rimming sink?... try Hole Cutting For A Self-Rimming Sink at DIYGraniteCountertop.Blogstream.com.

If you need help with an undermount sink cutout, try Fast, Efficient Undermount Sink Cutouts which is also at DIYGraniteCountertop.Blogstream.com.

Alright, now you've got hole-cutting for both self-rimming and undermount sinks figured out. But, how about the backsplash for your granite countertop... you need to protect the walls from splashes and stains and other accidents. So, a nice-looking backsplash is both decorative and functional. How do you make one? Here a good place to start: Measuring and Cutting Back Splashes.

OK, now you need to take a heavy-duty approach to stock removal of extra-hard granite or some other natural stone to prepare it for polishing. What's the best tool or tools for the job? Take a look at the "must haves" here: Hard Granite Grinding

Keep coming back for all you need to know about granite fabrication, and we'll keep providing the information.

Be Informed About The Proper Tools.

If you are searching for information on granite fabricating tools then you have come to the right place. Good granite fabrication, whether you're a pro or a do-it-yourselfer, is all about using the right tool for the right job. It's our goal to maintain the highest quality of information related to the granite, stone and tile fabricating tools on the internet.

We make it a point to present a great deal of information about all types of tools realted to the field. For instance, you can find out all about tile saws. Browse this website to find articles, purchase information, and much, much more.

We're confident that your experience on this granite fabrication site will bring you the information you're seeking. There's little reason to waste time with long, tedious searches when this site will bring you all the information you need.

As a convenience to you, this site refers you to the best sources of information for all aspects of granite and stone fabrication. Check out: Fabricating At The Proper Speed We have taken out all the nitty-gritty and done the research for you for specific tools like the tile saw. For the finer points of granite polishing, refer to Clean Water Equals Fine Granite Polishing. We're taking all the places where you can find information about granite, stone and tile fabrication online, and placing them here on this website.

Diamond Polishing Pads

These diamond polishing pads can be run dry on a variable speed grinder, so you can polish your granite countertop without it turning into a wet and messy job... a good situation whether you're a do-it-yourselfer or a pro. If you run a shop, the first time your crew uses them instead of going back to the shop to re-fabricate a piece of granite these diamond polishing pads will pay for themselves, just in time saved!

In the set shown above from Diamante Italia, there's one pad each of the 80 grit, 150 grit, 300 grit, 500 grit, 1000 grit, 2000 grit, 3000 grit, and a white buff and a black buff pad. Everything you need to take a tile or granite slab from the shaped rough edge to the final polish.

Dry diamond polishing pads are a tool addition that will both make your job easier and save you money.

* Max RPM - 4,500
* No need for a wet grinder
* No sloppy messes
* Standard pattern - looks like wet pads

Diamond Tile Saw Precision Cuts.

The water-cooled diamond blade on a tile saw makes quick work of square and diagonal cuts, notched corners, inside curves and miters cut in tile. In fact, there’s really no substitute for a diamond tile saw when you have to make fine corner cuts, curves, slivers... or cut stone or other hard tiles. If you've never used a tile saw they may look a little scary at first, however the blade is abrasive rather than toothed. And therefore, they're safer than wood-cutting saws. You’ll still want to take precautions, as you would with any other saw.

The basic technique for using a tile saw goes like this... wait for the stream of water to cover the blade before you start cutting. Watch the line as you cut, and slightly adjust the position of the tile to keep the blade on the line. Move the tile slowly through the blade for the best-quality cut. If you hear the saw slow down, you’re cutting too fast. Harder materials require slower feed rates. When you finish the cut, keep both hands on the tile, and slide the table back and clear of the blade before you reach to switch off the saw.

Basic Saw Safety
1. Plug the saw into a GFCI-protected outlet.
2. Don’t wear jewelry or loose-fitting clothes - tie back apron strings.
3. Wear safety glasses and hearing protection.
4. Use both hands to guide the tile through the blade.
5. Keep your fingers away from the blade.

With a little practice, cutting tile on a wet saw is almost trouble free. For more on the subject, and a simple photo tutorial, check out RDLiving DYI.

Sourcing Granite Slabs.

Before anything happens in the way of fabrication of your granite countertop, you start with choosing and buying a granite slab. Granite slabs for granite countertops are imported from Italy and South America. The granite is cut at the quarry into slabs that are about ten-feet long, six-feet wide and two-inches thick. They are then imported by granite wholesalers, and are sold to granite countertop fabricators, installers and do-it-yourselfers. Thousands of slabs in hundreds of colors are imported weekly... so if you know where to look, you can get a fabulous granite slab for a competitive price. Hundreds of colors and styles of granite slabs are available from which you can select. Ideally, make your selection for your countertop by choosing the actual slab from which it will be fabricated. Avoid relying on samples if you can. Since granite is a natural stone, no two pieces are exactly alike. While a sample may be similar to the slab it represents, the actual slab could be darker or lighter than the sample. And, the variation could be enough to throw a decorating scheme out of whack.

Chances are you will not find or see slabs... or even photos of slabs at your local home improvement store. But, you can find a great selection on the internet. And, if you're close to a wholesaler, you can go there to select the slab you want. If there are no granite wholesalers in your immediate area, the internet is the next best thing.