So, how exactly do I cut an external curve in any paving slab / flag with a twelve inch 2 stroke petrol mix Stihl saw using the generously issued belle universal twelve inch 20mm bore diamond tipped blade, that is designed to travel in a straight line?

My answer to you and all who have asked the same question, well the question isn't really as long as the above perhaps I'm jazzing the situation up slightly, over the years is quite simply:"With great care", you see, you only have one chance with a cut, after all its your clients money your playing with, how the hell are you going to explain to your clients (after your winning pitch) that you require another £80 - £260,(you know what I mean, the worse your cuts are, the more out of pocket you will be, after all a quote is a quote), as you've ballsed up a shed load of slabs.If your client has a particularly awkward shape to the perimeter of a paved area then I would suggest that you lay the paving on top of a piece of cardboard (NOT corrugated, not enough flexibility), recycled form any fruit and veg shop, market or Tesco's any where within the UK, mark with a pencil and cut to the exact size, or in layman terms, cut out a template, put all waste in a bucket it'll save you time if its a windy day!

Fill the void with a 4:1 (4:1 = 4 shovels or buckets, buckets if gauging a mix, of sharp sand, 1 cement or opc, Ordinary Portland Cement) bedding mix remembering the depth of your selected unit. What ever you do, DO NOT 5 spot any paving, this is a sure way to become a joke very quickly within the eyes of the current landscaping world and even worse its a guaranteed route to revisiting your client time and time again, its unprofessional and is usually a way for any landscaper who takes the piss out of their clients to earn a quick buck or two, utterly disgraceful.Its agreed that a full 4:1 mortar bed is required about around 50 mm / 2 inches, to lay your paving on, make sure the bed is slightly fluffy and place the cardboard template on the bed, taking care to look at all joints, as a rule of thumb I stick to 10mm, as a designer and hands on landscaper I like to keep things simple as there's so much to remember, 10 mm for all paving it is.I also mark all road pins with a pencil and wrap insulating tape around the pin using the pencil mark as top of tape, another rule of thumb, "Top of tape". I do this in case any clumsy footed labour (Jeff), another skilled landscaper (Dean) or tried and tested contractors (Too many to mention) who forget my words and walks through the finished level string line snapping it in half. OK I'll admit it , I too , still to this day walk through my own lines Very , Very rarely though,!!Good job I don't forget Fridays!! Might try that one day if they keep breaking my line!!

Mark the template with a sharp pencil to the required curve with a slight over hang and cut with sharp scissors, replace the template and lightly mark the template cut and recheck the template, move the template to the paving slab and position correctly and mark the paving with one slow continuous crayon line. The crayon mark will not blow off the paving from the wind created by the rotating blade.Great stuff, make sure the cutter is full of 2 stroke mixed petrol and put all your PPE ( Personal Protective Equipment) on.In the mean time check this out for your self and I'll be back to explain the finer points of this practice.If I'm not boring you too much I'll explain to you what might be a very useful money saving method of the angles and exactly how to cut any paving.Hey by the way, Happy Easter to you and your family from me and mine.
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

Comments

  • Great little blog kerry,much simpler than the way I do it, I mesure the distance every 100 or less if a tight curve from the slab behind.
  • By templating the void you'll save time, fuel, 2 stroke, wear on the blade, wear on the cutter, embarrassment, money, heads aches and more importantly the paving units.
  • hey
    just finished a job a couple of weeks ago which involved 3 clam shell shaped areas of indian sandstone paving, 2 curved walls (caped in sandstone slabs) and a square brick / block built pond also caped in slabs. long story short done way too many internal / external curved cuts with 230mm grinder and now made a promise to myself to at least have some consideration for ease of construction over asthetic appeal. must stop over engineering things. if in doubt blind faith and ignorance gets you through it, too stupid to realise it cant / shouldn't be done :)
  • Each to their own Neil.

    Me, cant stand bland, boring, simple projects, Any way I enjoy intricate work the more complex the more I enjoy.

    What do you mean with this ? " if in doubt blind faith and ignorance gets you through it, too stupid to realise it cant / shouldn't be done :)"

    Surely it should be along the lines of, If in doubt don't even try any task.
  • sorry,
    trying and apparently failing to be slightly humerous, i too prefer more challenging jobs, look good on paper, look great once completed, but can be frustrating in the mid term. i guess i tend to find my own path, just coz experienced knowlege may sugest that something should not be done, i approach things with a suck it and see attitude, bites me on the arse on occation but makes life more interesting. did not intend to cause any offence or belittle your instructions.
This reply was deleted.

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Neil Ruddick replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"According to AI, certain groups (eg., those unable to use digital tools due to age, disability, or location) may apply for exemption from MTD.  It gives GOV.UK as the source of that information.
It certainly suits me to stick to paper.  I am…"
14 hours ago
Peel Projects updated their profile
yesterday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Aimee Davey joins ICL at a key point as the business moves into a busy period of campaign and product activity across its Turf and Landscape portfolio, taking on the role of Marketing Communications Manager for the UK and Ireland.Aimee brings strong…
yesterday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
""I like Nigel he's lived in the real world."
Yep- private school eduction, then his Dad (a city trader) gets Nigel a city trader job. His only ever job, before becoming an MEP.
Yep- that's the real world isn't it!
I wasn't suggesting that Reform…"
yesterday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"I'm with you on this. Just had a look at the betting odds for the next general election as it's not often the bookies get it wrong from the odds offered they predict a landslide victory for reform😃.
So we will have to be patient and put with what we…"
yesterday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"I'm hopping for asylum in America "
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Anyone with half a brain knows that's common knowledge.
'You will own nothing and be happy'
Last general election i red the manifestos of tories, Labour and reform. The only one that was realistic and contained common sense was reforms.
Tories and…"
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Labour will do anything to win votes.
Including burning our country to the ground just to prove a point."
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Just setting off in my dinghy from Calais"
Tuesday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"You do realise that it was the Conservative Party who introduced MTD in 2019 and then expanded it in law to include income tax self assessment in 2022. Nothing that Labour could do to stop it, even if they wanted to.
As for Nigel, if you are…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Yes, I'm pissed off too, fed up of supporting the druggies, alcos and bone idle who have 6 kids with no intention of supporting themselves,Rachel in accounts has just made that more of a lifestyle choice. Hope Nigel will sort this broken country…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Thats ok for you youngsters, who are capable of using this shit. What about the rest of us appriaching 70? When I was at school calculators were a novelty!  There are a lot in this trade who will just pack it in or go off grid, its more interference…"
Tuesday
Honey Badger replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"It's important as the 48% of working people to provide for the impoverished depending on the welfare state. 
If fat jayden with adhd doesn't get his macdonalds via delivero everyday he gets anxiety attacks.
His parents that have never worked still…"
Tuesday
Ian Harvey replied to Peter sellers's discussion Making tax digital
"Most of the business software packages such as QB, Zero etc are fully MTD ready. Some of these, such as Zoho Books, Wave, QuickFile are free for small businesses, and Freeagent is free if you have certain bank accounts.
The MTD idea is to stop small…"
Tuesday
Peter sellers posted a discussion
Thought there might be some unaware of this. So briefly and I am not an accountant . As from 6th April 26 anyone who has income from self employment, rent from property etc or a combination that equates to a turnover of 50k or more (not profit) will…
Tuesday
Neil Darby replied to Neil Darby's discussion Dirty subject.
"it thats what you are happy doing up to you. 8 turds last week & another 3 this. The client is been notified that I quit. .Edit, excuses excuses.please come back."
Monday
More…

Making tax digital

Thought there might be some unaware of this. So briefly and I am not an accountant . As from 6th April 26 anyone who has income from self employment, rent from property etc or a combination that equates to a turnover of 50k or more (not profit) will…

Read more…
12 Replies · Reply by Neil Ruddick 14 hours ago
Views: 225