How to cut a large piece of marble 1” thick

Question

I went to demolish and remove a 8'x4' pool table in our basement and discovered the top slab is marble. If it is even possible, we thought it would be cool to turn it into a bar top that we plan to make when we finish the basement.

It would be extremely difficult to move the slab with the set up of the exit and stairs to get it outside. It will need to be cut in the basement, at least into a few sizes, to make it easier to move it outside.

Any advice or tips on how to approach this? Is there a way to cut it into pieces with no water or minimum water.

Answer 1

Hire someone. Call a local marble yard. (Not a kitchen/bathroom store, but the places they send you to for your countertops). Ask them for a labor quote to come do it for you.

I'm guessing the price will work out in your favor. Not that you couldn't do it for cheaper but if you factor in:

1. Actual cost (tool rental, blade, etc)
2. Risk of failure, risk of injury
3. As a DIY job, this is a skill that's hard to learn, requires some artistry, and unlikely you will use often or ever again. You're at the beginning of a learning curve and you'll never leave the beginning, unless you're planning to go work for a marble yard. :)
4. They will shape the edges and corners, do minor polishing, cut holes if you want, etc. Each cut will cost you but the above 3 points apply to each one. They are really good at it. You're not.
5. They can take it outside and do it there. Movers got the whole table in there, stone experts can get the slab out. It's what they do. Outside they can cut it wet, dry, whatever they want ... you don't care.

Answer 2

Put down a lot of plastic around the work area. Have a good shopvac ready. Get a 7" diamond blade for a circular saw, and a spray bottle of water. Have at least 2 helpers ready. Have ear, eye, breathing and skin protection for everyone. (TY cr0)

Plug the saw into a GFCI protected outlet. Cut in 2 passes. of about 9/16" depth. Obviously the material must be supported well to keep it from sagging or bowing and binding the blade. Multiple saw horses will help.

As you cut, have a helper spritz water on the material before the blade. Just a little, not alot. Have the other helper hold the vac hose near the backside of the blade to suck up the dust and water spray. When done with the first cut,lower the blade to a greater depth and make the second cut all the way through in the same manner.

It won't be fun or neat, but it is what you must do for what you want to do.

Answer 3

The other answers are good workarounds, but do you know they make actual portable wet saws for this? For example:

It even includes a water line that you connect to a small pump.

The problem with trying to do this dry is the huge amount of dust, which is not just a nuisance, but very unhealthy.

You can use a straight board and clamps as a guide. Just go slow and/or do the work in several passes. Make sure to support the piece well, so that it does not drop/crack as you weaken it with each pass.

Answer 4

Rent a diamond saw or put a diamond blade in a tool you already own, like a circular saw. It's going to make a huge amount of dust, but that's the tradeoff you make cutting dry. You'll also have to take regular breaks to let the blade cool or you'll melt it.