Concrete is the material of choice for many buildings because it’s so strong. However, that can pose a problem if you need to cut into it.

There are many varieties of concrete – some tougher than others – but even the more porous types can be difficult to saw into.

This makes it imperative to find the best concrete cutting saw. Basically, concrete cutting saws can be divided into two categories:

• Cut-off saws.
• Diamond chainsaws.

But which is better? The answer depends on how deeply you need to cut into your concrete surface.

Why cut-off saws are the industry standard

Cut-off saws – also known as abrasive saws or chop saws – are chosen by most people planning a concrete cutting job, and are regarded as the industry standard.

The cutting action is provided by an abrasive disc – typically with diamonds embedded in it – similar to a thin grinding wheel.

Cut-off saws can be powered by different sources, each with their own pros and cons.

Electric saws are commonly used for cutting concrete because of advantages such as:

• Ease of use.
• Light weight.
• Quiet running.

However, electric saws tend to be less powerful than pneumatic or hydraulic saws, and gas-powered machines are very portable but need more looking after.

Advantages of diamond chainsaws

Concrete-cutting diamond chainsaws – similar to wood-cutting chainsaws – come into their own in situations calling for fast, clean, deeper and more precise cuts. Like cut-off saws, they’re also lightweight and portable.

As the name suggests, diamond chainsaws have a chain with diamond segments – laser welded to the chain. Even small diamond chainsaws can be plunged nose-first deep into the concrete, and they make it easier to produce square corners.

The most common diamond chainsaw people rent is a gas-powered machine with a 30.5cm depth of cut.

To DIY or not to DIY?

If you need to cut an opening less than about 12.5cm deep, the best saw for cutting concrete is the cut-off type. If you need to go deeper, you’ll be better off with a diamond chainsaw.

Pricing of concrete sawing tools can vary a lot. For the sake of safety, it’s advisable to buy the best quality saw you can afford.

Alternatively, you can get complete peace of mind by leaving it to the experts – a professional concrete cutting company with trained, experienced operatives.

The post What’s the best saw for cutting concrete? appeared first on Best Concrete Cutting Perth | Coring & Core Drilling.

Concrete cutting produces a lot of dust. This is the main reason professional concrete cutters working inside a building wet the concrete before and during the process.

This method – called indoor wet concrete cutting – not only reduces dust emission but also acts as a lubricant to prevent saw blades and drill bits from overheating because of friction. Wetting the concrete surface also helps to make the cutting process less noisy.

Keeping dust to a minimum

The main purpose of indoor wet concrete cutting is to provide a safety measure to lessen the amount of dust produced. Dust in general can be a health hazard because of its potential to damage the respiratory system.

Dust from concrete is even more dangerous. It contains high levels of tiny silica crystals – 100 times smaller than a grain of sand – that can easily be breathed in without you realising what’s happening.

Repeated or prolonged exposure to crystalline silica can lead to lung cancer and silicosis – both life-threatening diseases.

Research indicates that indoor wet concrete cutting can reduce dust by 85 per cent.

Providing lubrication and reducing noise

A lot of friction is produced when high-powered tools cut or drill into a high-density material like concrete.

Without wetting the concrete, the resulting build-up of heat could break cutting edges – particularly in an indoor setting, which naturally has reduced ventilation – and send shrapnel flying about at speed.

Friction during concrete cutting produces noise as well as heat, and in an enclosed space the din can be deafening. Wetting concrete to reduce friction will lessen the level of noise.

Keeping everyone safe

If you have concrete cutting work done in your home, you’ll now know why the technicians keep wetting the concrete they’re working on.

Indoor wet concrete cutting is designed to keep themselves and you safe from the harmful effects of silica dust emissions and noise pollution, and prevent accidents like bits of machinery shearing off.

The post Why is concrete wetted for indoor cutting? appeared first on Best Concrete Cutting Perth | Coring & Core Drilling.

Without proper training, concrete cutting can be a dangerous job. Professional concrete cutters follow stringent safety procedures to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way.

If you’re considering DIY concrete cutting, you need to be just as safety-conscious. However, bear in mind that the experience of professional concrete cutters gives them a huge advantage when it comes to avoiding or eliminating potential hazards.

Hidden dangers when cutting concrete

One of the biggest challenges in concrete cutting is knowing exactly where and when it’s safe do the work.

Building plans may not give you the whole picture, particularly if the property has undergone renovations since its initial construction. This poses the danger of slicing into live electrical lines, which can result in a fatal electric shock or cause a fire that may quickly spread.

Fracturing a water pipe may not be life-threatening but the resulting leakage can cause a lot of damage to the structure of a property as well as its contents. Hitting a gas pipe can also spell disaster, with the risk of sparking a fire and danger of suffocation from the fumes.

For reasons like these, it’s essential to temporarily cut off all utilities supplying a property before you start any concrete cutting work.

Importance of using the right tools

Another potential hazard in concrete cutting is failing to use the right tools for the job, and amateurs can easily be tempted to cut costs by making do with whatever they have on hand. Adapting this approach will not only make the job more difficult but can also result in serious injury.

Professionals have a wide selection of concrete cutting apparatus for various applications, including water-cooled sawing and drilling machines to reduce heat from friction and the spread of dangerous airborne particles.

Personal protective clothing and gear

A further mistake by DIY enthusiasts is not wearing crucial protective gear for concrete cutting work. You’ll never see a safety-conscious professional technician cutting or drilling into concrete without being kitted out in steel-toed footwear, heavy-duty gloves, ear protectors, goggles, and a mouth-and-nose mask.

Carelessness can cost dearly

Even if following concrete cutting safety advice like this, amateurs can still put themselves at serious risk simply by getting careless through tiredness or allowing themselves to become distracted.

Cutting concrete can be a major undertaking and it’s critical to approach it in a systematic manner. If you’re in any doubts about your capabilities to carry out concrete cutting efficiently and safely, it might be wise to call in the experts.

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