Which Should You Choose Concrete Cutting or Concrete Drilling?

What is concrete cutting?

man cutting concrete road

Concrete cutting encompasses not only the actual cutting of concrete but also its drilling and removal. For the actual cutting segment of this material, concrete saws are used for this specific job requirement. These saws, based on their modern technology, have greatly replaced the jack hammer in many instances. They have the capability of making precise cuts and leaving a smooth clean finish. They also greatly reduce the dust that comes with concrete cutting.

There are various ways of cutting a concrete. These include slab cutting or sometimes referred to as flat sawing. There is core drilling and wall sawing. There are many different tasks within the construction industry that completely involve concrete cutting. It might be for the purposes of partial removal of a foundation or addition to existing building including residences.

Cutting concrete slabs is another common requirement in any construction job. No matter what the task at hand, it will surely demand the need for the right type of concrete cutting equipment. And this should only be done by an individual who has the training and skills to operate this type of equipment.

What is concrete drilling?

man drilling concrete

Concrete drilling involves digging of a hole in a certain concreted area. These holes are dig for many different purposes. It may be used when something has to be anchored in the concrete, such as large shelving units or other components. It may also be needed for electrical requirements and for mechanical or plumbing purposes.

The equipment used for this job requirement is called a diamond core drill. This has been designed to drill precise holes in a certain piece of concrete. It has the shape of a cylinder that can cut a precise and accurate circular hole. The size of the hole made depends on the drill bit being used and the depth it is required to cut. The drill bit is capable of removing the core of the cement hole being created.

There are different makes and models of diamond core drills. There are also different sizes of bits. Concrete drilling should be carried out with wet or dry concrete drilling techniques. These options will depend upon the job that is being required.

The basic diamond core drill is composed of the following:

  • Motor
  • Spindle connection
  • Locking switch
  • Gearbox
  • Handle

There are also other models of diamond core drill that may have additional compositions which include:

  • Dust extraction
  • Water supply
  • Electronics

The size, make and model of the core drill will depend on the type of job it is required for and how often it will be used. Some confusion will come into play if the layperson is not familiar with concrete drilling and which type of bit to use.

There are two most common types of equipment for concrete drilling. These are the diamond drill bits and the carbide. The type of concrete you are going to work on will determine which type of drilling equipment you are going to use. The depth of the drilling required also matters and whether you are going to be drilling on wet or dry concrete

The proper completion of concrete drilling usually requires that the holes being made are perfectly round. These holes can range anywhere between 1” to 12”. For commercial needs, they could be up to 60” round or even more. They also require the expertise of a highly trained person in the proper drilling of concrete.

There are a lot of judgement calls and selections of concrete drilling equipment to be made. This can be dependent on the project manager if this type of task isn’t present on a constant basis.

Conclusion

Doing any type of concrete cutting or drilling even if it is a small job can sometimes be difficult. It is not a forgiving task and when you make a mistake you simply need to start over again. Cutting too much or too little of the concrete or drilling a hole that is too big or too small can create a lot of extra work to try and fix the error.

The best and sure-fire way to ensure that the concrete is being cut or drilled precisely is to utilise a company that is specialising in this field. You can always find a reliable service provider in Melbourne, Australia such as Megasaw. They can guarantee that your required tasks are going to be done quickly, and effectively both in the requirements and cost. This company is fully capable of doing various types of concrete cutting and drilling projects in Melbourne and the surrounding areas. They highly stand on reliability and performance, which are a much needed aspects in the construction industry.

8 Easy Steps for Cutting, Breaking and Removing Concrete

Cutting and removing concrete would sound like a very formidable task to do. This is true especially with those involving street pavement being broken and demolished to give way to a new concrete pavement. These kinds of construction jobs are usually done by big-time contractors.

But as uncommon as concrete removal may look in the domestic sense, there are actually many household situations where we may find ourselves being confronted by a need to cut and remove concrete. It may be a repair of water or drain leak in your house or yard or a plan to replace the concrete covering in one part of your garden with decorative grasses and plants. In any case, it pays to know what and how to do it, even if you have in mind to hire a contractor to do the job for you.

concrete demolition equipment

Below you will find the basic steps in the concrete cutting and removal job. These steps assume that you already have a clear purpose for the activity and that you have identified the area where cutting is to be made.

1. Prepare the Site

Concrete cutting and removal is difficult if surface is dirty and congested. If there are clutters restricting the movement of workers, ensure that the site is cleared of these barriers to movement. It is also important that items which may be damaged by dust or by chipped concrete fragments during cutting are covered with protective mats or sacks. Check also that the passage way for moving the rubbles is clear when the broken concrete is removed from the site.

2. Ready Your Tools

For most concrete cutting jobs in the home, the following are the most common tools needed:

  • Electric circular saw with diamond or abrasive blade
  • Sledgehammer
  • Jackhammer
  • Large pry bar or a pick
  • Shovel
  • Bolt cutters for wire mesh
  • Demolition saw for rebars

3. Ready Your Safety Equipment

Concrete cutting and removal, by its very nature, is a dirty job as it means rousing dust from its compaction inside the concrete. Add water and you’ll have a mess of the mud that is created. It is also a job involving risks as tiny fragments of concrete may fly at different directions. Hence, you need safety tools and protective gadgets to keep you safe from harm. These include:

  • Chalk for line marking
  • Straight-edge piece of wood for guide
  • Thick gloves
  • Goggles
  • Ear protective gear
  • Dust mask or respirator
  • Steel-toe boots or equivalent work shoes
  • Clothes thick enough to cover you from the elements

4. Lay out the Area

Establish the demarcation enclosure using a straight-edge piece of wood long enough for the purpose. Use coloured chalks in lay-outing and make sure that the line marks are wider and will be readable enough even from a distance.

5. Start the Cutting

Set up your concrete saw to cut at 2 inches (50 mm) blade depth over the guide line. This line cut is for making sure that the edges of the remaining concrete are straight and smooth when the new covering is installed. At the same time, it prepares the line-enclosed area for the subsequent concrete breaking procedure. As the cutting is being done, spray the surface area around the blade with soft sprinkles of water. This is in order to lessen the dust and to prevent the blade from overheating. However, be warned not to sprinkle water on the electric saw. After completing the line cut, if you wish to deepen the cut to 4 inches (100 mm), adjust the blade in the cutting saw and repeat the steps.

6. Breaking the Concrete

After the line cut is completed, position the jackhammer to break the concrete starting from an inside corner of the line-enclosed slab. Put the jackhammer on and let it break the concrete. You don’t need to push down on the jackhammer as its weight and movement are enough to break the concrete. You may need to remove the first few broken pieces out right away to make room for the next pieces to fall off. You will find that after the first piece is broken, the next one comes off so easily.

You may find that the concrete is supported by a wire mesh. You may have to cut these wires using your bolt cutter to free the concrete that is stubbornly attached to these hard metals. Also, most concrete that is subjected to traffic would be reinforced with rebars. In such a case, you may also need to cut these but using a demolition saw.

7. Remove the Concrete Fragments

If the cutting site is inside a garden and you need to protect the plants along the way out onto a hired gravel truck, you would need thick gloves to manually load these concrete pieces into carry-able sacks. For the smaller pieces which would be impractical to pick out one by one, use your shovel to scoop these tiny ones into the sacks. If your hired truck is not yet available, you may arrange the sacks abreast of each other in one area close to the pick-up point.

8. Check the Work Done

If you are not satisfied with the depth of your cutting after the area is initially cleared, you may level the area by using the jackhammer again on protruding and unbroken concrete. Repeat this procedure until you are satisfied.

While it is true that the concrete has been removed after the eighth step, you need to complete your job for your own satisfaction. You are not finished until you have cleaned the site, the power tools and the safety equipment. Restore the items that were displaced temporarily. Remove the protective covering on the plants. Clear the site of dust using damp cloth. Remember not to wet electric-powered tools. Clean the gadgets that are washable with water. When you are done, you are now ready to pack up leaving the site ready for the next activity.

How to Choose the Perfect Concrete Handsaw for Your Project

Concrete cutting is a project that could require an assortment of tools to complete. For small to medium sized projects, the most essential tool would be a good concrete handsaw. There are many different types hand sawing tools for cutting concrete. All of these require different levels of skills to operate each one. Without the proper tools, the outcome of your project may result in disappointment for you. Hence, you must be careful when selecting the best handsaws for the job. This article is an overview of the various types of hand sawing tools that you can use for your concrete cutting project.

worker using a concrete hand saw

Origin of Handsaws

The origin of handsaws dates back several thousand of years ago. In fact, this type of tool can actually be seen in the hieroglyphs of the ancient Egyptians. The name that is given to these various types of saws has changed over time. They were also referred to as fish saws or panel saws, to name a few. A typical handsaw looks very much like a tenon saw, however, it has only one sharp flat edge. If you have worked in the concrete cutting industry for quite some time, you have seen an enormous number of handsaws that were often used prior to the age of modern machinery. They are used for cutting stones and slabs of concrete very quickly. These types of saws consist of a handle, the blade and the frame. In order to cut concrete with some degree of precision, you need to select the right type of handsaw.

Selecting the Right Type of Handsaw

Prior to starting a project, it is important that you know which type of saw you are going to need to complete the project. There are many different types, but there are two specific designs from which all saws are made. The first type is called a rip saw and the other type is called a crosscut saw. It is highly recommended to have both types of saws when you are starting a project that requires sawing. It’s good to know the difference between the two. That way, you will know which one to use for each piece of concrete that you are going to cut. This allows you to choose the right saw for each cut that you make.

Difference between Crosscut and Rip Saws

A crosscut saw has a blade has teeth that are angled back, which are effective for cutting precast concrete hollow core slabs. It also has a bevelled edge. Compared to a rip saw, a crosscut saw has much smaller teeth. Its cutting edge is almost knifelike, allowing you to make very precise cuts through concrete. This is something that only smaller toothed saws will enable you to do. A benefit of using this particular type of saw is that it will cut as you push through and pull back when cutting concrete. This makes crosscut saw a much more efficient option.

In contrast, the rip saw is designed to cut through concrete, marble and granite with ease. The teeth of the rip saw do not angle backwards and are not bevelled in any way. Instead, they actually alternate from left to right in a specific pattern. This enables each of the teeth to mimic a chisel, easily chipping away the slab of concrete you are cutting. But, this can only be done when you push into the concrete. Unlike the crosscut saw where you can cut both in a pushing and pulling manner. A rip saw allows you to have a much cleaner cut. This is something that you will want when cutting harder stones and concrete. It is less efficient, however, because when you pull back, it doesn’t cut at all.

Now that you already know the difference between a crosscut saw and a rip saw, it’s time to look at the different types of saws. Each type of saw can be used for each specific type of job that you may have in the future.

Inspecting Your Hand Saws

There are seven important things that you need to do before a concrete handsaw. If you don’t, you could inadvertently injure yourself. At the very least, you could make mistakes with your cuts that could cost you a significant amount of money. Therefore, you must take some safety precautions. Doing this ensures that you will have the best chance of completing your project without error.

The first thing you need to do is make sure that the teeth on the saw are set evenly. If this is not secured, you could end up curving off to the left or right. This is true even if you are pulling and pushing it straight. Make sure that the blade itself is actually straight. The same thing can occur with even the slightest bend or bow. It can cause you to make mistakes.

Next, check if the teeth are actually sharp. This can be done by simply rubbing your finger over the top of the blades. Be careful not to cut yourself. Just do it to make sure that the teeth snagged on to your skin. This clearly shows that they are sharpened as they should be. Once the blade is in place, make sure that the saw feels balanced and comfortable in your hand as you hold it. It should not be top-heavy, nor should it feel awkward to hold. This can affect your straight and true sawing motions that will help you make the perfect cut.

Final checks include looking at the blade crown and the built-in tension on the saw with the blade. Make sure it should be somewhat flexible. If all of these vital aspects are checked already, you are now ready to start your project. With all the inspections having been made, you now have the confidence to make the best cuts every time a sawing job arises.

Tips on Proper Cutting

Once you are ready to make your cuts after putting your cutline on the concrete, start first with your thumb or knuckle holding the concrete as a guide. This helps to make sure that your cut starts off straight. If you are using a crosscut saw, then begin your cut with their teeth that are nearest to the handle itself. The reason for doing this is because it will give you the most control. By making a few quick cuts to notch into the concrete, you will be ready to make the proper strokes. If it is a rip saw that you are using, doing the opposite is true. This is because you are going to use the finer teeth that are located furthest from the handle. Thus, enables you to perform short strokes back and forth.

Once this is done, take a look at the angle of the saw. Make sure to keep it at 45° at all times, as you saw the concrete back and forth. For the most leverage, always keep your elbows as close to your body as possible. People have a tendency to angle the blade away from their body. Holding your elbow close to you will eliminate this problem. It will also give you plenty of power to cut through virtually any type of concrete without having to use too much effort. As long as you are holding the saw properly, with your forefinger extended and your strokes are deep and smooth, you will be able to slowly cut the stone or concrete you have marked.

Tips for Accuracy

To cut concrete as accurately as possible, start by drawing a line while making sure that you are using some type of square or level. Doing this ensures that this guide will keep it perfectly straight, ensuring that your first few strokes are as straight as possible. If you already have an experience with sawing concrete, then you will probably not need to use this guide anymore.

Once you have chosen the proper handsaw for the job and made the recommended safety checks, you are now ready to start your project. Whether you decide to use a crosscut saw or a rip saw for the job, it will depend upon the type of concrete you will have available. If you are not sure if you will be going against or with the grain, you should certainly consider getting both types of saws. This way, you will have several options to choose from. This allows you to make the straight, curved and very precise cuts that will be necessary to complete your concrete cutting project.

Completing your project, whether large or small, requires you to have the proper tools. Selecting the right hand sawing tool is an important part of the process as well. Hopefully, this information can be helpful in selecting hand sawing tool that you will need for your up and coming concrete cutting project. Following some of the tips mentioned above will give you a final result that you will be very proud of.

However, sometimes a hand sawing tool is not only intended for concrete cutting projects. There are times when you need to handsaw a portion of the concreted area in your property. This task may require a skilled professional with the right hand sawing power tools especially designed for concrete. For precise and unmatchable results, you may call on MegaSaw. We are Australia’s leading service provider for cutting and sawing concreted walls and floors. For more information visit us at 12 / 433-435 Hammond Rd. Dandenong South 3175 or call 1300 920 419.

Using Power Tools for Cutting a Concrete Slab

Cutting a concrete slab can be a complex task that requires proper skills and equipment. It isn’t a job where short cuts can be taken. Ideally, it should be done by those who have the proper experience and expertise. Highlighted below are some information and tips in using power tools for cutting a concrete slab.

cutting a concrete slab for road

Tip #1: Choosing the Concrete Cutting Equipment

It all begins with the right tools and accessories. The quickest, easiest and safest tools for this job are power tools that are capable to tackle the job at hand.

The Right Saw

The type of cut you will be making determines which saw to use. If you only need to make small rough cuts, you can do this manually with a sledgehammer and chisel. The much faster and more effective method is to use a circular saw with the right choice of blade.

The Right Concrete Cutting Blades

Quality is the key here. You may find some great prices on some of the blades that can cut through this type of material. You need to determine though, what is the cost per cut. If you are only going to get half the cuts completed before having to replace them, then you are wasting time and money.

Many professionals like to use the diamond blades when cutting a concrete slab. If this isn’t a job you need to do all the time, then you can rent these types of blades. You will likely be charged according to the number of inches used on the blade. Some of the inexpensive blades tend to slow down the cutting process. This is because they only allow for shallow cuts during each pass. With constant use, they can create an odour, fine dust and get really hot. When making the choice to use the diamond blades, you will have to choose the appropriate one.

The dry cutting blades are used when you want to make gradual deeper cuts. The blade won’t heat up, but you will create a lot more dust with a dry cut. You can also choose to use a wet cutting diamond blade. This means you will need to use a saw that is able to distribute the water that the blade needs to operate efficiently. This is a great blade for speed and efficiency as well as in keeping the dust down.

Tip #2: Techniques for Cutting a Concrete Slab

In some areas, there are regulations regarding the depth that you can cut a joint. You need to check this out first. The normal cut is at the minimum ¼ of the thickness of the slab. Keep in mind that the deeper the cut, the bigger the chance of cracking in the control joint. Don’t cut down to the level of the steel reinforcement, which should be in the middle of the slab.

Grooving

You need to determine the best time for making the cut. This is determined by the size of the slab. To help you make a straight cut, draw a chalk line on the concrete slab. Or you can use a 2×4 as your guide. Before the concrete becomes hard, groove the control joints. Use a grooving tool that has a blade capable of cutting through a semi solid concrete.

Tip #3: Proper Placement of Joints

Where you place the joints will depend on the purpose the concrete slab is being used for. Sidewalks do well with joint placement with cuts made the same distance as what the width of the walk is. Large slabs are best done by determining the thickness of the slab then double this in feet.

Tip #4: Cutting Concrete Slabs with a Saw

If you don’t want to take the time to hand groove or the concrete has become too hard for this, you can still complete the job with a saw. The concrete should still look a little damp and dark in colour. You should be able to walk on it. If the concrete slab is fairly small, you can use a heavy duty circular saw, fitted with the proper blade. For larger concrete slab cutting, you may want to use a walk behind concrete saw.

Concrete Cutting

You may be faced with the task of cutting through concrete to get at some faulty plumbing or other repairs needed beneath the concrete. These are normally slab foundations and are far thicker than slabs used for sidewalks and other outdoor venues. For this type of job, you would need to rely on the use of commercial concrete saws.

Other Considerations

Personal safety when cutting a concrete slab using power tools is something that must be made a priority. The proper safety gear must be worn. Keeping the dust under control is another issue. Using power tools with the proper skills to avoid personal injury is a must. You must also be aware of the environment around you when taking on the job of cutting concrete slabs.

Time and money has to be taken into account as well. Purchasing the proper concrete cutting power tools can be expensive. They are not cost-efficient unless they are going to be used on a constant basis. Renting them is equally as expensive and there is the risk of improper use. Make sure that the individual who is going to take on the concrete slab cutting job has the proper skills and training in the use of the power tools.

Looking at a concrete cutting slab job at first appears straightforward. However, there are a lot of potential problems that can arise. If an error is made during the cutting process, correcting them may not be easy. A much better alternative to taking on this job yourself if you are in Melbourne or the surrounding areas would be to bring in the experts like those at MegaSaw.

They have the right equipment for every type of concrete cutting task. They also have the expertise in being able to use the different types of hand saws. These are often needed for hard to get at places or when time is of the essence. Concrete hand sawing requires precision working and takes time to be done properly. You also have to consider the cost factor required for this task. Determine the most cost-effective solution. Will it be either buying this type of equipment yourself and then developing the proper skills to use it or using the alternative of being able to rent such equipment and services from reputable providers like MegaSaw.