Inboard Cutting
Inboard cutting is a term used to describe the technique of ensuring that there is no requirement for tiny slips of paving stone, brick or block to infill the gap between an edge and the laying pattern. Unless a scheme has been devised and carefully measured to ensure there is no need for any fine cutting at the end of a run, or row of paving material, and certainly on those designed that include curves, circles or any pattern that is not completely precise, there will be a requirement to finish with an infill segment.
Apart from it being difficult, if not dangerous, to attempt to cut a stone using a mechanical saw when it measures only a few centimetres, risking feet and fingers striving to hold it steady, such small pieces are prone to become loose within their bed, or split due to lack of integrity and strength.
A professional approach involves ignoring the perfection of completing a pattern precisely, matching half bond with half bond, either in straight runs or herringbone patterns, and finishing instead by reducing the non-standard slab required to complete the work by cutting a larger unit from a full size block or oversized paving slab to ensure that there is no need for thin slips to complete the project.
These pieces should be no smaller than half a brick or block, preferably 60% or more, thus eliminating the risk of the final segment from being displaced due its’ size.
An example of poor practice, as each of the tiny segments is in danger of working free, and allowing movement in the brick pattern. This will lead to spalling as the butt jointed bricks move against each other when trafficked by vehicles.
