Flooring installers cut brick tile from whole bricks.
When a flooring installer wants a floor made from real brick, he custom-cuts the brick tile from whole bricks with a table saw equipped with a brick-cutting blade. A brick-cutting blade has a diamond-studded cutting surface bonded to a metal disk. Dry-cut table saws use a vented blade -- a blade with ventilation slots cut into the metal disk. The vents keep the blade cool. A wet-cut table saw uses water to capture brick slurry and to cool the cutting blade.
Instructions
1. Set up a table saw equipped with a brick-cutting blade on a solid surface. If using a dry-cut table saw, set up the saw outside and downwind from the building. If using a wet-cut saw, turn the saw so its back end faces away from the building. A dry-cut table saw produces a lot of brick dust. A wet-cut table saw's slurry will stain the building's exterior.
2. Adjust the position of the table saw's cutting jig on the cutting tray, using a tape measure as a placement guide. Usually an installer sets the edge of the jig between 1/2 and 3/4 inch away from the brick-cutting blade. This creates brick tiles between 1/2- and 3/4-inch thick.
3. Lock the jig to the tray, using the table saw manufacturer's instructions. Most jigs use a thumb screw to hold the jig against the tray's L-shaped lip, located at the back of the tray.
4. Fill a wet-cut table saw's pan with water. Never run a wet-cut saw without water in the pan.
5. Put on safety glasses. If using a dry-cut table saw, put on a dust mask.
6. Turn on the table saw's motor. Let the table saw's motor reach full speed before continuing. A table saw often takes 5 to 10 seconds to reach full speed.
7. Set a brick on the table saw's cutting tray. Slide the brick across the cutting tray's lip until the edge of the brick rests against the jig. The brick must touch both the jig and the tray's lip.
8. Grip the cutting tray and push the brick through the brick-cutting blade, using the tray for leverage. Maintain steady pressure on the tray as the blade works its way through the brick. After the brick passes the cutting blade, remove the 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick brick tile from the cutting tray.
9. Pull the tray back to the front of the table saw. Position the remaining brick against the jig. Cut the brick, using the same method used to make the first brick tile. Repeat this for each brick tile.
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