slate cutter

[scottishjohn]

Just about to do my first slate roof on the old explosives building .as soon as I get walls+ gables  back up and rafters made etc

 never done slates before -

was going to go for tin roof -- but seems a shame not to keep it as it was  including  a 200year old refurbed sky light 

skylight was made in dumfries     when there were iron works al over -  

 

 

any suggestions for a good slate trimming cutting tool?

[ToughButterCup]

Morning John . . . Have a look at this channel . Helped me no end 

[Conor]

Our Slater's only use a Stihl saw for cutting slates. For trimming corners etc they use snips.

[Roys]

When I did mine, I used a 9” angle grinder with a diamond disk, hot knife through butter.

 

[joe90]

I use one of these (well similar anyway) they leave a Proper edge (you cut the tile from the back) and leaves a ragged edge like they come with.       https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/114928777104?hash=item1ac249f790:g:6KMAAOSwgZJf-zuR      Yes an angle grinder is good but leaves a “cut” edge.
 

When I had my roof done they used hooks and not nails, I was not sure about this but at least you can replace a slate whereas when nailed it’s very difficult. Try watching this….. I would not use nails again ?

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by joe90

[makie]

Use a slate knife, anything else will not leave a good finish.

Never use a stihl saw or grinder either, those are for people that can't slate. It will go through them but it leaves a very poor finish and wont look good.

[Roys]

The angle grinder cut edges on my roof are hidden as they are either under the ridge tile or under the slate gable edge trim, I also used slate and 1/2 so that the alternative row ends had a larger slate as I didn’t want the wee 1/2 cut slates.

Scottish roof so it was nailed directly onto sarking boards with a breathable membrane.

[scottishjohn]

9 minutes ago, Roys said:

The angle grinder cut edges on my roof are hidden as they are either under the ridge tile or under the slate gable edge trim, I also used slate and 1/2 so that the alternative row ends had a larger slate as I didn’t want the wee 1/2 cut slates.

Scottish roof so it was nailed directly onto sarking boards with a breathable membrane.

thats how mine will be --no batons 

[Cpd]

Slate knife all the way. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Cpd