I usually start with big rocks. Cut the end off, and then a 2" thick slab, thats with the Stihl. I take the 2" thick slab and put it on the tile saw, then cut 1" thick pieces from that. One of my challenges is getting a nice even cut with the Stihl, that thing is a monster. I have used a 7" grinder with the guard remove and a 10" blade on it. It kicks up a crazy amount of dusts and the dusts is hard to control, a guy only wants so much water spraying when using electric tools.