There is always some prep work to do at the start of each phase, but it is work none the less. Chris spread sand into the remaining area of the future patio with a shovel and rake. It was fairly close to the correct grade and Jim periodically tamped it so Chris would have a firm base to work from.

Tamping became a bit of a break from what was to follow.

We constructed a Frank Lloyd Wright Miter Box to hold the paver's securely in order to score them. Note the long horizontal lines reminiscent of the prairie house design along with the jutting prow of the device.

It took Jim awhile to get comfortable with the circular saw and masonry blade. He never much liked using power tools. With a regular saw he tended to guide the blade with his finger. This was not an option in this case.

Chris suggested the method of scoring the pavers on both top and bottom, then applying the chisel and a sharp whack with a hammer. The alternative would have been to make multiple 1/4" cuts through each. We make a solid team when it's home improvement time.

Chris built a small mock up of the Herring Bone Pattern, which requires numerous half bricks along the edges. It renewed our resolve that splitting the pavers was definitely the route to go--it would have taken forever to cut through all of them.