Can You Use A Miter Saw To Cut Brick? (How-To Guide)

There may be many tools available on the market for cutting bricks. But the question is can you use a miter saw to cut brick?

Miter saw can easily cut bricks at different angles provided that it is equipped with the right blade for the job and handled carefully. A miter saw can also help to cut the brick at different angles with ultimate precision.

However, there are some other things that you must know before starting your miter saw and working on brick cutting. In this article, I will tell you exactly how you can cut bricks with a miter saw at different angles and select the right blade for cutting bricks with a miter saw.

If you are interested in learning all that then I suggest you read this guide to the end.

Can You Use a Miter Saw to Cut Brick?

How to Select the Right Miter Saw Blade for Brick Cutting?

There are mainly two main types of blades that are used for cutting bricks. One is a tungsten carbide-tipped blade and another one is the steel-tipped blade. Tungsten carbide-tipped blades can cut through thick materials. They work well on brick, concrete, masonry blocks, and pavers but might not work on other things.

For example, if you are cutting bricks that have been previously treated with fire-resistant coating then tungsten carbide tips may not crack or break the brick materials. You can choose a steel-tipped blade for these types of situations.

Steel-tipped blades are quite common and available in most miter saws. So, you can easily use these blades for cutting bricks.

Things to Remember

Precision is very important while cutting bricks with a miter saw. You must pay close attention to the job and make sure that you are making accurate cuts with a miter saw without any problems.

The key point not only while working on brick cutting but also while using a miter saw is safety. Make sure that you are wearing eye protection and following all the rules and regulations of your workshop.

There are quite a few things that can go wrong when cutting bricks like breaking blades, brick chipping off, etc., therefore, you should know how to cut brick in the most efficient way.

Things to Avoid

While cutting brick, there are some things that you must not do like using a miter saw blade meant for cutting metal. It will not only damage the material but also your blade and miter saw.

Similarly, you must not forget to wear eye protection while cutting bricks or doing any other job using a miter saw. You may get serious injuries if debris comes in contact with your eyes while working.

Always make sure that the power is turned off before you change blades. Do not use a blade with a domed tip to cut bricks and other masonry materials. This is because the blade may make contact with the ground or something else, and it will fall.

Safety Tips

Make sure that the power of your saw is turned completely off when you are changing blades. Furthermore, make sure that there is no chance that the blade can fall if it comes into contact with the floor or another object while changing blades.

You must also wear eye protection and keep all of your fingers safe. To make things easier, you can use a feather board on the back side of the piece and hold it down with force to ensure safety while working.

If you are unfamiliar with your miter saw then keep practicing cuts on scrap until you master using the tool safely.

Pros of Using Miter Saw for Cutting Brick

There are many benefits of using a miter saw for cutting brick. The main benefit is the ability to make accurate cuts at different angles without any problem.

Furthermore, you can also cut bricks for your patio with a miter saw if you know how to cut brick with precision. Other benefits of using a miter saw over the traditional brick cutter are.

Cutting bricks with a miter saw can save you time and money. You can use a miter saw to cut other different kinds of materials like wood, plastic, etc. These types of cuts require more accuracy than cutting bricks.

Best Miter Saw Blades for Cutting Bricks

There are different kinds of miter saw blades available in the market that are ideal for cutting bricks. Depending on your need, there is a perfect blade for you.

If you are a beginner in using miter saws and want to cut just plain bricks then try blades with tungsten carbide tips. Tungsten carbide tips are great for cutting bricks that have not been treated with a fire-resistant coating.

In my opinion, the following two are the best miter saw blades that you can use for brick cutting:

Brick Cutting with Miter Saw: Best Tips & Warnings

In this section, we will take a look at some of the best tips and warnings before you start using miter saws to cut bricks. If you follow these rules then you can use your tool safely without getting injured.

1. Know What You Are Cutting

Before you start cutting anything, it is very important to know what kind of material you are working with. It is better to use the appropriate tool for the job.

If you want to cut plain bricks then always choose blades that have tungsten carbide tips since bricks come in direct contact with the blade.

A diamond-tipped blade is also ideal if you are cutting bricks that have been treated to resist fire. There are also specific blades available in the market designed especially for cutting brick and mortar joints.

2. Use a Fence

Using a miter saw to cut brick comes with many benefits, but it can also be dangerous if you are not careful enough. While using a miter saw, the most important thing is to ensure that the blade does not come in contact with other things and cause injury.

3. Check for Damages

Before starting your project, check the condition of your miter saw thoroughly because some parts might have broken down or might need to be changed. It is better to start your project on a miter saw that is in good condition.

4. Know Your Material & Blade Combination

A single blade cannot cut different kinds of material like plastic, metal, wood, etc. So if you are planning to use your miter saw for different kinds of material then you should have multiple blades with different size and tips.

If you are using a blade to cut fencing or brick that is not treated, it is best to use a diamond-tipped blade as it will last longer than the other types of blades made from tungsten carbide. Another benefit of this type of blade is that it comes with a one-year warranty.

5. Use the Right Tool for the Job

It is always best to use miter saws to cut bricks, but if you have no other option then try using other tools available in your garage. You can also use a handsaw or an axe if there is an emergency.

The main thing to remember is not to use the handsaw for making angular cuts. It may lead to injuries and accidents, so it is always better to use a miter saw if you are planning on making angled cuts.

6. Follow Correct Safety Procedures

No matter how experienced you are with using tools in your garage, it is always better to follow all the safety procedures every time you are using miter saws. If a person is just starting out then he or she should read user manuals completely before trying anything on their own.

7. Use Workwear for Safety Purposes

Since brick cutting with miter saws can be pretty dangerous, it is best to protect yourself by wearing appropriate clothing and safety equipment. Make sure that you wear safety glasses, a hard hat, and gloves while cutting with miter saws.

8. Don’t Forget About Safety Fence & Miter Gauge

When using miter saws in your garage for cutting bricks or any other material, it is best to use an appropriate safety fence. It will ensure that your miter saw’s blade doesn’t come in contact with any other object while it is cutting. Make sure you don’t push down on the material when using a safety fence because this can cause accidents like kickbacks and broken blades.

9. Use Fence Supports for More Accuracy

Always try cutting your material by using the fence supports. They will keep your material from moving and help you achieve more accuracy when making cuts.

10. Always Keep a First Aid Kit

Accidents can happen anytime when you are trying to cut bricks with miter saws, so it is best to be prepared for them. It is best to store a first aid box in your garage at all times.

11. Use a Featherboard for More Accuracy

Featherboards are ideal when you are cutting something with a miter saw because they help control the material that is being cut and reduce kickbacks. They also keep the material in place so it stays accurate which allows you to cut it with maximum accuracy.

12. Put on Hearing Protection for Your Ears’ Sake

When using a miter saw to cut brick, make sure you are wearing hearing protection because they can cause serious damage to your ears. So try using earplugs or any other kind of ear protection that is appropriate for your situation.

13. Don’t Stay Under the Miter Saw for Too Long

If you are planning on cutting brick with miter saws then it is best to stay out of the way once you are done cutting so that other people can use your workspace. You might find yourself in an accident if someone else comes by and bumps into the saw while it is still running.

Final Words

Can you use a miter saw to cut bricks?

Yes, you can definitely cut bricks with a miter saw, and that too with ultimate precision. The only thing you need is to follow proper safety guidelines and mount the right blade for the job.

The key thing to remember when cutting brick is that the cuts should be made perpendicular to the face of the brick, not parallel.

If you are unfamiliar with your miter saw, try using a metal square or straight edge and feather board on back side for added control and safety.

With these tips in mind, it’s time to get started! Be sure to stop by our blog again soon for more valuable information about how you can take care of your tools properly so they last longer.

We hope this article has been informative as well as helpful, feel free to leave us any comments below!