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I need to cut a brick to a particular size to fit it in that area. I am not sure which tool I use or buy. I have asked several places, but they have expensive tools which I can't afford.

Peter Mortensen
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Sanjoy
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7 Answers7

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Standard low cost method is with a mason's chisel and a hammer.

Image from Harbor Freight tools, no endorsement implied, just an example o the type

Use it to score a shallow line on all 4 sides, then give it a solid hit on one of the wide/flat sides of the brick. Hide the imperfections of the cut face in a mortar joint. Set the brick on sand or the ground, not on a hard surface.

Ecnerwal
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if you already have an angle grinder a $2 stone cutting wheel is probably the cheapest way to cut a single brick..

a diamond wheel will last longer, but cost more.

Jasen
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The usual way is with a circular saw and a diamond blade. I have done this myself for the edge of an enlarged space for an oven in a brick wall. If you are cutting loose bricks, you will need to clamp the bricks securely when cutting them.

There are other ways to split bricks with hand tools, which should be fairly easy when working with loose bricks. If you only have a few bricks to split and you have some bricks to spare (because you will probably need to practice a bit), this seems like a reasonable way to go.

manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
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Low cost, manual cutting.

Place a L- profile under the brick where you want to cut it

Hold one side down, and hit it with hammer on the elevated side.

It might work 50/50 depending on the brick.

DIY75
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I have successfully cut brick with a "tile coping saw". It's slow, and not something you want to do often, but it works.

enter image description here

The "blade" is a rod covered in grit:

enter image description here

rrauenza
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I have done this with a mason's hammer, a chisel and regular hammer, and a wet saw. A wet saw is quick and gives the best edge but makes a mess (red slurry/mist spray that stains what it gets on), but wet saws are a bit pricey. I prefer the chisel and hammer over a mason's hammer because it provides a better edge and control of where it breaks (at least for my novice skill level).

If you only need one brick cut and cut cheap, a chisel and hammer is your best option.

UnhandledExcepSean
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Mark your brick. Chances are if you pull up to a job site where brick or block being layed. Someone will cut the brick for you. Pay them in beer.

Txmason
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