DIY Stepping Stone Path For Cheap!

[@michaelolive5070]

Finally! Someone else who uses a reciprocating saw for landscaping work. I use one for edging driveways and sidewalks. So easy !

[@twistedara]

Isn't that what an edgers for?

[@michaelolive5070]

@@twistedara sure. But why pay good money for a uni-dimensional tool that doesn't work nearly as good or fast as a reciprocating saw. Don't knock it till you've tried it. Can almost guarantee you won't go back.

[@dylanorourke735]

Ever flipped a weed whack 90°?

[@twistedara]

@@michaelolive5070 I see why he's using it for this project. But I doubt this man is going around edging sidewalks and driveways with a reciprocating saw. I can't see how all that dirt could be good for the saw. Not only that, you don't have to buy a separate piece of equipment if you have a weed eater. You can Edge with a weedeater as well. But if you wanted to "really" Edge you can get an attachment you don't have to get a whole another piece of equipment Ie: another motor, if you've already got a weed eater for yard work. And isn't haveing a reciprocating saw for edging and a weed eater comparable to using two pieces of equipment that you're saying is unnecessary? Not only that but who the hell is bending over that low to Edge sidewalks and driveways with a reciprocating saw? I mean besides you. I'm not being rude or anyting my back is hurting just thinking about it. I'm not trying to knock your style I'm just trying to wrap my head around it.

[@michaelolive5070]

@@twistedara don't you just those so set in their ways they go to great lengths to knock an idea they haven't tried. Dirt on a reciprocating saw ? How horrid ? I guess I'll just have to put it back in the China cabinet.

[@monotheis6889]

"Then I sell the grass squares to the neighbor with all the dead spots from the dog for $12 a piece..." 🤣

[@wrongwayeric]

But it was your dog that did it.

[@barneswallace1944]

​@@wrongwayeric Ha Ha. The neighbors dog gets under the fence to spoil your lawn.

[@monotheis6889]

@@wrongwayeric I split all profits with my dog. He drives a Bugatti 😉

[@dantoves]

Good job brother.

[@4lifeyve]

🤣🤣

[@ddmau7995]

I built a large patio from pavers. I discovered that if you don't disturb the dirt under the pavers and use sand or crush & run( finely ground stone ) the pavers will remain level for years . The patio was done 40 years ago and it's perfectly level now ! I also put pressure treated 4x4's around the pavers like a picture Frame even with the top surface to keep the edge tight. Worked like a charm.

[@dsmmsd00]

Cool

[@ofrecentvintage]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you mean by "don't disturb the dirt under the pavers?" Do you suggest NOT cutting and removing the sod where the pavers are going to go? I'm preparing to do a DIY pathway and want to get it right! Thank you.

[@Squibknocket]

I put mine right down on the grass. A little over a year later, they have sunken enough to be level with the ground. It’s been 3 years since and they are still flush.

[@user-cb2427]

They don’t really sink in the ground the vegetation dies decompose and you look like a genius 😉

[@VioletOtter]

​@@user-cb2427they absolutely sink into the ground as the dirt underneath sublimates. You don't know what you're talking about.

[@theSkavenger84]

😂😂😂

[@theSkavenger84]

They must be a joy to mow and weed sack around for the first two years

[@user-cb2427]

@@VioletOtter pick one up let the grass grow back and see what happens, dummy

[@joelgalvan2884]

Bro got the sweetest softest soil ever

[@BoomlandJenkins]

Sawzall has been my favorite garden tool for years now. It knows no end!

[@LudditePower]

Best tool for cutting roots.

[@MrTruck1012]

You ain’t a man unless you own a sawzall. Even if you never take it out the box, at least you own one.

[@michaelolive5070]

So much easier than a chainsaw for small limbs and trees. Great way to cut out a bush or small underground

[@ericschneider8524]

Reciprocating saws are worth 2 thousand dollars.

[@nancyselzer628]

I have set and reset and reset pavers and flagstone over the years because they always sink. if you put down some landscape fabric squares before the sand, this drastically reduces the sinking.

[@f.miller9522]

But bad for the environment.

[@Stonedstoney135]

Either using a weed barrier under or a larger sub-base is a better idea. The sand infiltrates into the existing soil underneath and eventually the steppers will sink. Never have I ever seen anyone use a recipe saw for this. Looks like it works just fine. I have used a sharp garden spade for years with the same result. What really matters is the base. This will look good for a bit, but after some rains and a few freeze/thaw cycles they will start to move

[@WeezMcCheez]

Two words “paver base”

[@fer78130]

I heard in another video that it's worms crawling through the dirty underneath that cause the sinking. So that we'd barrier idea does make sense.

[@mattfleming86]

Huh. I've never seen someone recip their lawn before.

[@brodyllc]

sawzalls are beast for trenching. Roots and dense clay can be cut into sheets here in northern michigan

[@NotFarmerFlats]

I use mine for edging up against the sidewalk. Works great.

[@janetyeoman1544]

They are used for small trenches quite often. A spade lifts sod out and allows a clean straight cut.

[@hfarthingt]

seems dumb for such a small perimeter because the flat shovel will do the same job in about the same time

[@mattfleming86]

@@hfarthingt I can see this making real "precise" cuts for things like pavers. That said a rough cut in turf will "self heal" pretty quickly. For every thing a time and place, I reckon.

[@Automedon2]

The only thing I could suggest to make the work lighter is to make a plywood template of the paver so you don't have to heave the pavers more than you have to. Great work.

[@Signorconstructionandroofing]

Always use stone dust not sand

[@bend4852]

​@@Signorconstructionandroofingstone dust as in concrete powder?

[@mattm2684]

He would have to make 13 templates cause he has them spaced out he wants them and to actually handle them less he'd have to make them the same thickness. so he'd have to cut 26 of them out of plywood. Also the weight of the concrete paver determines how much sand he puts in there so they don't move when people walk on them. SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THIS? He knows what he's doing.

[@Automedon2]

@@mattm2684 nonsense. One template. He cuts around that, places the paver, moves the template to the next spot

[@mattm2684]

@@Automedon2 I figured my comment would go over your head. NEVER MIND. Anybody that has any experience doing this type of work would understand

[@kayakdog121]

I just walk on my lawn. It actually works pretty good.

[@kayakdog121]

@@ITURNWINEINTOWATER So I guess the answer is just kill the grass instantly by cutting it out? I've been walking on my lawn for many years and there's not even a hint of wear. That's because I take care of it and don't let it get fragile. I'm not being a smart ass, my only point is that what this guy did shouldn't be necessary unless you just want it for aesthetics.

[@pete9009]

So when it 🌧 😊

[@erickjason9092]

Oh my god! What a brilliant idea! This never even entered my mind. Thank you for my my life so much easier!

[@clintcowles7563]

The Sawzall is a genius idea. Thank you for sharing!

[@nickarcher6535]

exactly

[@cjhicks1823]

yeah its so smart rip pvc irrigation and also 200 bucks in dull blades just because he cant cut a square hole with a square shovel

[@1985cjjeeper]

​@@cjhicks1823 Irrigation? You must be from California or somthing. And it's obvious you've never used a sawzall cutting roots like plumbers, or cutting a trail through woods. Let me fill you in. You don't need a sharp blade to cut roots with a sawzall. Example: just yesterday my wife used my sawzall to cut some leafy tree branches down to feed to the goats. She used the same blade I was cutting roots with while trenching a line in my yard a few weeks back. Now either she's tougher than you or you are just ignorant and bullheaded. I know which, do you?

[@michaelolive5070]

@Cj Hicks such a cynic. If you use an already used blade (recommended), it will still last longer than an edger blade or multiple spools of trimmer line.

[@hammadmalik4498]

The cost and labour is pretty decent. Wow this is one of the best vids on here

[@9avedon]

Great solution , so people don't trample the grass at the side entrance. Thanks for showing what I need to do.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

You bet!

[@michaelolive5070]

@@EverydayHomeRepairs don't listen to the naysayers. I've been using the reciprocating saw for years. Quick and easy. Thx for sharing this with others. Fellow handyman.

[@lorenzogazzola328]

I have that style of path in my garden. Just a tip on what he did wrong: Put a three and then use gravel, not sand becouse sand will go away in the years due to raining, worms etc... Also when you mow them you have to clean very well the sides with the trimmer or the grass will "eat" them over time.

[@garaldpatrica4985]

Nice. You can run over it with the mower and not have to trim.

[@rowlandsmith1660]

Not a spade but will use your technique with the reciprocating saw. Old handsaw works too. And always sharpen your spade.

[@xbubblehead]

A nice little project that makes your life a bit better.

[@karlmiller7500]

that is an awesome idea, I have a project like that coming up and I never would have thought of that, thank you

[@lorenzogazzola328]

I have that style of path in my garden. Just a tip: Put a three under and then use gravel under, not sand becouse sand will away in the years due to raining, worms etc... Also when you mow them you have to clean very well the sides with the trimmer or the grass will "eat" them over time.

[@WeezMcCheez]

I dug a lil deeper put paver base down compacted it with a hand tamper… then sand… 3yrs later none of them have moved at all

[@boysrus61]

You have no idea how happy I am this appeared in my feed. I am about 1 days away from doing this with some odd shaped pavers and I was contemplating how to play them without having to dig out all the grass.

[@SimonElenor]

I just lay the pavers on the grass and by patient! It will sink eventually. But then again I am lazy.

[@donnahubscher7995]

It works

[@jerryjeromehawkins1712]

You work smart and clean my friend... great job. 👍🏽

[@davidshearin6900]

I'm going to do this. Thank you! This makes life so much easier. Great job!

[@AlbertLebel]

I just ran about a dozen pavers going from my driveway to my porch steps so I don't have to walk in mud when winter hits. They are very affordable and easy to place. I still have a couple stubborn ones I need to level but it should work great once they settle in a bit.

[@sampearce4595]

Started this with my sawzall but the dandelion roots were too much so I switched to the circular saw with a bimetal blade -

[@michaelolive5070]

You might try not using iron enriched lawn fertilizer.

[@rubenmartinez1140]

😂

[@jeffreylescoe5624]

Lmaooooo what the fuck! Dude I just pissed myself😂 that comment was beast!!!

[@simplestatic3751]

Why didn't you just use the dandelion blade for the recip? It's next to the other ones at HD and Lowes

[@truenorthheating]

Hahahaha! It didn’t take long to find someone who also heard about the dandelion roots jamming up the reciprocating saw. I was gonna comment but yours is better

[@gillgetter3004]

Did the same years ago in my yard, I was cutting some branches and wife was cutting flat stone into grass. I went over and cut the next one in with saw, she laid them out and said cut those in for me!! She didn’t do the sand thing, and they sunk!! Now I’ve got to pick them up and put sand or something under them😊

[@ddmau7995]

The trick is don't disturb the dirt under the stone ,it was compacted 3 million years ago. 😊

[@jeffcarroll6553]

Use weed mat and gravel

[@jane1385]

I just did this but without the saw. It would have come out so much better had no thought of that! Thanks for the tip

[@tomcole4736]

Nice tip. I use my sawsall as well when running LV Wires for lights in beds, next time I need to trench across the yard and need to cut the sod out to trench for conduit I am going to use a 2x8, this tip to cut the sides, then hit it with the flat shovel to pull the sod and lay on the tarp....Nice hack

[@CynthiaLamb-jf2md]

I never even thought about uing my reciprocating saw for edgi g my sidewalks. So much easier than the knife I used to use. Thanks

[@rupe53]

Here in the northeast, setting your pavers below grade will collect water and create a slick path in the winter. If you put down an inch or so of gravel or stone dust, you can set them a bit higher then walk on them for a few weeks. As they settle, you can add topsoil and seed for a gentle slope that won't collect water.

[@wwfera00]

I just add salt for friction in the winter here in TX. We don't get a lot cold wearher.

[@rupe53]

@@wwfera00 ... I can't think of the last time I used salt because my walk stays dry once the weather clears.

[@JohnDoe-rh2kz]

Dude you rock! I'm going to use that on some odd shaped flagstone. Just a great man, I appreciate it.

[@robertfumega8874]

Try that in New England's rocky soil.

[@f.miller9522]

If it's rocky it shouldn't sink!

[@LifetimeinWelding]

Lay the slabs and leave them for six weeks. The grass will grow around them and the grass underneath will die & rot and the worms will do the rest, SIMPLES!

[@billbonds3099]

Nice, 👍 thanks you gave me a great idea and just saves probably a couple thousand 💵 dollars because of using concrete. Really, wow 😮 thanks again 👍👍

[@a.i.gdallas3581]

I thought this was pretty genius dam I'm always learning new ideas

[@davidcattin7006]

I love pavers right in the grass like this! Seems like a great price!

[@farmfitnesspham4913]

How much it cost

[@JamesKennedy33]

​@@farmfitnesspham4913 did you even try watching the video?

[@farmfitnesspham4913]

@@JamesKennedy33 I did he said the cost for materials but not the charge do you watch the video

[@farmfitnesspham4913]

@@JamesKennedy33 never mind Jim kenney it a diy but he look like a pro that why I ask how much he charge yes i did watch the video

[@farmfitnesspham4913]

@@JamesKennedy33 twice so I kno it a diy

[@dickieknutz2933]

The recip is an amazing tool. I've used it on trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and roots without a problem

[@ISawSomethingOnTheInternet]

I did stepping stones and just let the grass underneath die. Worked like a charm

[@aussiehohim]

In Australia, 20x20 pavers,cheapest one is $40 each, sand around $10, total $580

[@Papa_Abasta]

They are gonna sink even faster. Idk what I’m talking about tho. I’m a KZbin critic

[@Truckn_G]

They most likely will. I hated mine so much I pulled them up and poured a concrete walkway. I also poured it 4ft wide and went overboard with rebar.

[@angryhedgehoglee6363]

All that nice leftover sod! Gotta find a place for that. I volunteer my lawn. I'm in the crabgrass fight of a lifetime right now. hint hint, wink wink, nod nod😜

[@thelonewrangler1008]

This is a brilliant idea. Ive been doing this by hand with an old rambo knife for years🤦‍♂️

[@mattwinston1745]

That’s not a spade shovel

[@kickeramps]

🙄 you need a hobby.

[@barnybrewman1571]

Hey! Don't call them Spades, that's racist.

[@luciottrinidad]

Try cutting the lawn with a grinder next, and if that doesn’t work use an oscillating tool, but to get great results use a concrete saw

[@glennhatley2010]

He needs to try this in my very hard yard.

[@garysarnowski3113]

Have a step off from our ground level deck into the backyard. Grass hasn't grown there for years. Going to set up a stepping stone pattern from the step off into the good grass area. Sawsall is the way to go!

[@pirateslife4me]

I love the contrast of the concrete suares with the soft & grass following a gentle curve!

[@brookelord3448]

I like the sod saw concept but If it's a square hole I use the spade because my back hurts if I bend over like that all day. Just step on it and let your body weigh do the work and it will cut the time in half. That is a transfer shovel. If you had a garden spade it would work.

[@stephendufresne9239]

Wife then yells out to husband to come in and find out why the internet is down .

[@truthbetold1855]

Then husband yells at cable provider for burying their cable 3 inches below the surface 😉

[@davidramey7186]

@@truthbetold1855I have a cable on one property that isn’t even buried in some spots. They completely half ass it no matter how many times I complain and ask for them to come out

[@truthbetold1855]

@@davidramey7186 Keep complaining and maybe they will hang it in the air like an old phone line.

[@jeffreylescoe5624]

No… she heard the saws all and wanted to use her dildo attachment on it.

[@kelly-annflanagan7693]

Honey, if that blade is getting hungup on dandelion roots, it's BEYOND "dull" that bad boy has served it's time. Retire him to the scrap metal bin.

[@retardationnation869]

"im tired boss"

[@AlphaHorst]

Why? You are literally using it like an electric spade. So using it till it breaks seems fine. Sure a sharp balde would be even easier but it will go super dull in like 10 cuts.

[@denimjez]

Turns out that dandelion root was the run for his cable

[@kelly-annflanagan7693]

@@denimjez 🤣😂🤣

[@kelly-annflanagan7693]

@@AlphaHorst no shit Sherlock. Still the blade I'm referring to deserves to rest in peace. I said what I said you don't like it keeps scrolling. Btw I've been in the construction business for 40 years I know how blades work but thanks anyway Captain Obvious.

[@DadPool85]

I paid more than that here in the UK last summer I bought literally 13 paving slabs like these ones and I paid over £150 for the slabs and the sand cost me about £50-£65 not 100% but geez the price difference is outrageous

[@danstephensen9032]

I'M STARTING THIS NEXT WEEK. for my Front Yard (I'm in a Cul-de-Sac) Should look amazing.

[@lorenzogazzola328]

I have that style of path in my garden. Just a tip on what he did wrong: Put a three and then use gravel, not sand becouse sand will go away in the years due to raining, worms etc... Also when you mow them you have to clean very well the sides with the trimmer or the grass will "eat" them over time.

[@Brooklynraised68]

Great idea im gonna do this 👍 thanks for sharing

[@molly5292]

Me, too. 😂

[@Arizona_rider]

We had three of these as a kid and they were always sinking and a pain to mow around. We would have to dig them up and redo them

[@ofrecentvintage]

Wow, I wish I could get pavers that size near me for the price you paid. Nice job! And I never thought to use a reciprocating saw for this. Might try it!

[@prashanttrivedi2537]

Screening (fine crush stone) is a better option ...not sand .

[@StuPedasso]

I prefer a circular saw with a 10" blade, totally eliminates the need for the "sawing motion".

[@michaelolive5070]

Another good idea. I prefer the reciprocating saw as they tend to be a little more robust.

[@adrianpierce3047]

could i use my dremel, lol

[@Dark.Death.Delivered]

That's a funny looking spade

[@theone-ou3gd]

Was looking for this didn't know if anyone caught it

[@darylmartin6989]

Probably was talking about his Queen 😂😂😂

[@WINCHANDLE]

OMG, Thanks for the solution to a planned project for which I've been losing sleep.

[@MrMelvinkennedy1]

In SC 16x16 pavers are $5 each ($65) for pavers alone. I couldnt find 20x20 but 24x24 are $30 each ($390) for pavers alone.

[@LaFox23]

This is great until they sink into the ground. 4 inches of 3/4 minus under the paver will prevent that.

[@iangregoryhome]

I've used a old bread knife for cutting turf it works a treat.

[@JaSon-wc4pn]

I use the spade.... As nature intended ????

[@michaelolive5070]

@Ja Son2 a spade. If your determined to use a manual tool (slow!), at least buy a half moon edger

[@tobylou8]

They will be covered by grass in a few years. Now there's an additional 87 ft to trim with the string trimmer to keep the grass at bay.

[@donnahubscher7995]

Use the Sawzall to edge around the pavers occasionally.

[@tobylou8]

@@donnahubscher7995 Sawzalls don't cut grass. ask me how I know. 😁😁😁

[@donnahubscher7995]

@@tobylou8 perhaps, but they would proficiently cut the roots surrounding the perimeter of the pavers. Edging if you will.

[@tobylou8]

@@donnahubscher7995 The leaf is the problem, not the roots.

[@brucelee3596]

Simple and just the video I needed. Thank you

[@michaelstein7995]

that's not a spade. it's a flat head or flat nose for gravel or concrete work. maybe finishing a hole but not for digging. this is a great way to find irrigation lines.

[@user-gw6fc7cf2h]

It’s also great to cut around roots when you want to dig a plant out

[@matthewsandell4810]

All that is very subjective , can't do that in Florida , we have a sandy soil and all blocks and bricks eventually sink , first you gotta separate with fabric, then pea stones to create a base , then your paver base, and best to lock in sides with concrete or tracking.

[@wildliferox2]

Remember as the grass grows from year to year, you'll need to lift and re-bed the paving slabs.

[@nancyselzer628]

Not if you put landscape fabric under the sand.

[@boozie206]

Those 20" stones, so spray out a 24" path the hole way along the past. Dig down 6-8 inches. Get crushed limestone and lay it down in 3 inch ways down the hole trench and then slightly wet with a hose before running it over good with a plate tamper. Build the base up doing this until you and your stones thickness plus a half inch from where you want to end up. Lay a half inch of loose crush limestone and use fence post and a screet bar to level it. You can then lay the stone as fast as you can carry them. Level the lawn with soil. Seed or sod and boom. Professionally done walk way. You welcome lol

[@AAaa-gs9nv]

i cut a piece ofa green vinyl plastic used as a cover place it on top of the grass, weed killer kills grass rain proof last up to 3 to 6 months, the pavers are going to sink in with rain ,snow step on ,

[@ksapp8213]

It would've been a whole lot better and faster if you took an edger run. Both sidelines removed all of the grass gotta all the soil on the same plane then turned right around and filled in the grass with your scraps in between much. Faster and much easier

[@tobybigham4196]

No talk about the hours of edging your signing yourself up for after you install each one of these pavers! Install is cheap, but the upkeep will be time consuming!!!

[@OLCtv]

Thinking about doing a driveway like this

[@justlooking4771]

Using a saw blade is such a great idea!!

[@richardharwell]

Save the sod pieces. You can use them to repair areas in the lawn where weeds or disease can be cut out.

[@kpkp42]

In my experience, the grass between the pavers will die because the pavers get hot and they roast the soil between themselves and that kills the grass between the pavers

[@m.bplus3623]

so helpful thank you from Australia

[@scottfletcher1956]

Wow. That actually looks pretty good. Nice.

[@Mars-zgblbl]

Make sure you know where your underground lines are before slicing through with a sawzall

[@paulmvn5431]

If they're less than 24 inches deep they need to be dug up anyway.

[@ScotteM]

​@@paulmvn5431 not internet them lames only bury it like 2 inches cuz everything sucks now

[@Julia.Mandelbrot]

Love it! Will start same project soon. Did u just level the sand by eyeball? Would u not use a compactor on that soil for a more reliable base? Thanks! I'm thrilled to try this out!

[@jumpsthroughhoops]

I like the reciprocating saw idea but why not compact the sand before laying the paver? It'll help prevent the paver from sinking over time. Using a level is pointless if it'll eventually sink.

[@sylanderhopkins6665]

Always put the stepping stones on top over time they will sink & need to be releveled but no need to have them level with the ground

[@LadydogC]

I just lay mine out as they sink into the ground on their own. The garden path has mulch that the stones sit on and they too sink down in no time. Maybe a season or two.

[@lagreen2122]

Those look very nice!

[@corygoulette2303]

Have fun edging those every week buddy

[@MyUnquenchableThirst]

My mind went stright to how its going look when the grass grows

[@guly]

Id imagine he can run a mower, robotic or not right over them and get a good result. I cant imagine needing to edge those when they are about level with the lawm

[@RandomsFandom]

They make dirt/sod blades.

[@EverydayHomeRepairs]

🤯

[@Cree_Money]

Really? But what would you use your old used blades for then?!!?@?!

[@brizzle8797]

​@Cree_Money you sharpen them, ofcourse!

[@madsnapper78]

Him saying I use a saw motion in case I hit dandelion roots it’s pretty funny I’m sure the sawblade can handle it😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Apexjasonmorganllc]

I just cut through my sprinkler lines!

[@kawi321]

It was a flathead shovel not a spade and I would use dense grade and stone dust. That sand will not last

[@flch95]

Looks like some good pieces of sod you can extract

[@DonTerhune1200cc]

Good idea, but using a flat shovel to cut sod = Not bent over or on your knees.

[@freethinkingcanadian891]

You know...all he had to do was put the patio stone down...and the grass would die , and the stones settle down on their own.

[@kinggzz]

pavers set on top of the grass, by next season they will automatically be flush if yoh walk on them regular.

[@mtnbkr777]

It looks good but I'm just thinking about all that extra edging time added to the Saturday morning mowing.

[@BHandy000]

1: better hope no irrigation lines are where you are sawing 2: it’s not a spade, it’s flat lol 3: quick and effective for sure

[@mgusa9372]

Excellent, never thought of doing that. Super cool. BAM!

[@innerjon]

Great tip with the blade method!

[@billdougan7584]

My sister's small dog got a torn ACL by jumping block to block. I told her not to leave a gap between them.

[@scottpartridge9971]

Do you hear your self. 😂 " Get cought on dandelion roots" You make my day.

[@michaelolive5070]

Pretty sure he was trying to be funny though maybe he has iron enriched soil 😀