We are laying a 100 sq. Ft. Patio using 2 – 2-1/2 in. PA bluestone irregulars. These guys are big and weigh a ton (well maybe 80 lbs. To 150 lbs.) We wanted to go big since we don’t want to deal with shifting and settling as much. Here’s my question:

I am using a 4-1/2 in. Dewalt angle grinder with a diamond wet/dry cut wheel to score the stone from one side for my cuts. It can go a little over 1 in. Deep on the first pass. When I use the stone chisel and maul to make the final break I keep having stones break completely perpendicular to my intended cut! It’s driving me crazy!

I’ve considered renting a wet saw but the stone are way too big to pick up and down. Just moving these things is an effort. The angle grinder is nice because you can go to the stone.

Am I doing something wrong or is this just to be expected? I am doing the breaking in a sand bed to keep stress to a minimum.