borrow small paver saw or other ideas??

15 years ago

I'm laying a small patio in my (rental) backyard with donated keystone paver bricks. The size of the patio is predetermined by the layout of the space and the nature of keystone pavers is that there will be gaps on the sides. I will need to find a way to cut some stones, but my desire to buy rent or borrow some large dangerous powertool is low. Less than low. It's a relatively small project and absolute perfection is not key. I've never done this before.... is there some sort of hand-held equivalent? Short of smacking pavers against concrete like a cavelady and hoping for useful shapes and sizes to result, does anyone have recommendations?? Thanks!

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Comments (4)

gee_oh_nyc
15 years ago
You might not like this suggestion, but how about using topsoil to fill the gaps that result on the sides and then put in some plants? I would recommend creeping thyme. It looks great in situations like that. Bugleweed fills in nicely too, and a heuchera, hosta or loebelia here or there might be fun too. Turn that problem into an opportunity!
I actually find myself sometimes lifting a slate here or there around the perimeter of my rented patio to put in some clandestine flower beds. If you don't want to plant in all the gaps, you can fill in some with poured concrete mix, or gravel, or marble chips. Not as neat as a complete cover of paving stones but might save you from power tool anxiety.
Just a thought,
Peace
George
gee_oh_nyc
15 years ago
How did the patio turn out?
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chrisa
Original Author
15 years ago
I finally just managed to finish it! My super promised to lend me a tile saw, but his forgetfulness and wet cold weather on my days off combined to delay the whole project. then he had to borrow it back and it wasn't until this past weekend he brought it back again. Meanwhile the super of the building next door (who saw me working on it while he was doing repairs to his building) kindly brought me sand for brushing between the stones. So I love that this was a cooperative effort... especially given that the bricks were donated in the first place... that came together over time.
The tile saw was a challenge since it was designed to cut things much thinner than pavers... but it worked well enough.
I would have loved to plant in the holes if the layout was suitable to that, but it wouldn't have worked too well given mostly the incredible number of weeds i'm surrounded by in adjoining undeveloped properties. I do have herbs planted in the holes in a concrete block retaining wall which is fun. But i'm hoping to minimize the battle I have to do with pulling weeds out of every crack and crevice.
I'll post pictures when I get a chance!
gee_oh_nyc
15 years ago
Great! Congratulations on your new patio.
My mom used to plant in the spaces in the cinder blocks too. Creeping phlox was the thing I remember most cascading down from the top of block wall.
Good luck with the herbs and keep up the battle with the weeds.
Peace
George

borrow small paver saw or other ideas??

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borrow small paver saw or other ideas??

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