Bridge Saw and Waterjet Cutting

Nothing about a straight saw cut looks difficult, which is why the running record countertop fabrication riverside news today cg holds shows the machine choice deciding the quality of every edge. A countertop fabrication shop serving Riverside, CA uses a bridge saw for straight cuts and often a waterjet for curves and openings, and each machine leaves a different edge on granite, quartz and marble.

The bridge saw

A bridge saw carries a diamond blade on a beam that travels over the slab. Most modern saws are CNC controlled and read the cutting file from the template software. They cut long straight runs fast and clean, and the head can tilt to cut the angled faces for a mitered edge. Water runs over the blade constantly to cool it and keep dust down.

The waterjet

A waterjet cuts with a thin stream of water mixed with abrasive garnet at very high pressure. It follows any shape without a blade, so it handles curved island ends, radius corners and the inside corners of a sink cutout where a round blade would overcut. The kerf is narrow, which saves stone on tight nests.

Combination machines

Some shops run a sawjet that combines a saw and a waterjet on one bridge. The saw takes the long straight cuts and the jet finishes corners and openings in one setup, so the slab is not moved between machines.

Cutouts for sinks and cooktops

An undermount sink cutout is cut and then polished inside because the edge stays visible. A cooktop cutout is hidden by the cooktop flange and only needs a clean cut with eased corners. Corners on any cutout are rounded slightly, since a sharp inside corner is where cracks start.

Slab movement on the table

Stone can shift as it is cut, especially a thin marble. Vacuum cups or wooden blocks hold pieces in place. On big Riverside County kitchens with long islands, the slab is supported along its whole length so a long piece does not snap as it is freed.