To cut through hard stone, the operator must use a tool or attachment that is harder than the stone itself. Hardness can be measured using the Mohs scale of hardness. This system labels materials with a number from 1 to 10 indicating hardness (the higher the number, the harder the material). Granite is one of the hardest types of stone around. It offers a hardness value of between 6 and 6.5. Steels generally offer a hardness of 6.5. Since granite is about as hard as many harder steels, they are generally inefficient materials for cutting through granite unless they feature a harder outside coating like diamond (hardness of 10).
There are many types of steel tools that are designed for cutting hard stone. Diamond-tipped tools and cutting attachments are designed to make quick work of cutting hard stone. Diamond-tipped stone-cutting tools and attachments are usually constructed on a high-quality, hard steel foundation. Alloys are materials that are formed by the permanent joining of metals. Tungsten steel is a very hard metal alloy. Tools made out of tungsten steel can be used to efficiently cut through hard stone materials.
Cutting through hard stone like granite with steels can be a dangerous process. Attempting to cut through hard stone with a steel tool that is not harder than the stone workload will result in the eventual destruction of the tool and can even injure the operator. An improper steel tool that is drawn across a hard stone workload can easily bend, break or otherwise fail. With excessive force, a steel tool can snap, become airborne and injure the operator. Tools that are not designed to cut through hard stone should never be used to attempt to cut through hard stone.
Consumers should exercise several safety measures while attempting to cut through hard stone with ordinary steel tools or attachments. Face masks, shields and eye goggles can help prevent injury to the eyes and face while cutting hard stone with steel tools. Cutting granite and other hard stone can release a lot of dust and debris into the immediate atmosphere. Using a dust mask or respirator system decreases the likelihood of inhaling dust particles. Many power tools feature collar systems and blade guards that further help protect the operator from injury while attempting to cut through hard stone with a steel attachment.