Discover 7 Ways of Choosing the Best Concrete Block Cutting Tools

Do you want to know how to choose the right concrete block cutting tools? Well, this article can help you. Choosing the right tool for cutting concrete blocks can be daunting at times. But it could become an easy job if you know some tips. Many people find it hard to choose the right cutting tool. If you are one of them, then you should read this article. After reading, you will learn how to choose the right concrete block cutting tool easily. The following are some of the tips that you should follow to settle with the tool that’s perfect for you.

1. Know the Power Requirement

The first thing that you must consider when searching for a concrete block cutting tool is the power requirement. Some types use a lot of power, while others require less. You should be aware of this when you are looking for the best tool for cutting concrete blocks.

Concrete block cutting tools that consume a lot of power will dramatically increase your electric bill. For this reason, you will have to spend a lot of money. However, if you want to save your expenses for your electricity, then you must choose a cutting tool that consumes less power. Utilising this type of tool will ease your worries about electric bills even on extended usage. Just be sure that the tool will also give you the best quality despite having less consumption of power.

2. Think of Portability

portable stone cutting tool

Next to power requirement is the tool’s portability. Concrete block cutting tools come in portable and non-portable models. Using a portable tool will give you convenience and ease in working. Therefore, you should think about this when you are searching a concrete block cutting tool. Whichever way you want it, the most important thing is that you choose the one that you are comfortable working with.

You must also know that several operators prefer using lighter concrete cutting tools because they are easy to use and control. The heavier tools are at times very difficult to use and manage. Chances are you might not be able to perform a perfect job.

3. Maintenance of the Tool

You also have to be aware about the maintenance of the tool. If you are on a tight budget, then you should not choose a concrete cutting tool that requires high maintenance. You should look for a tool that you can maintain easily and won’t cost you a lot of money.

Make sure that the cutting tool will last for a long time. If you don’t want to waste your hard earned money, then you should do a thorough research on each tool you come across. You will find tools that will last for a long time and are not expensive to maintain. These might be the tools that you are looking for.

4. Performance of the Tool

Another vital thing that you must check is the performance level of the cutting tool. If you want to achieve a perfect job, then you should look for a tool that has the best performance. These tools are exceptional and preferred by several operators. This is because of the amazing results it can give. The cuts will be straighter and accurate.

A cutting tool with poor performance is not convenient to use and will not give a good result. It will even take you a lot of time and energy to finish the cutting job. That is why it is very important to choose a tool that has a good performance.

5. Know Your Budget

think of budget constraints

One important thing to consider when searching for a concrete cutting tool is your budget. The prices of these cutting tools vary. There are expensive as well as affordable tools. It is important to know the amount of money that you are willing to spend on these tools. This will help you in making your decision.

Remember to choose the right cutting tool that will suit your needs. Also, make sure that the cutting tool you are choosing is of high quality. It is good to know that high quality cutting tools are long lasting.

6. Consider Your Cutting Needs

Make sure that the cutting tool that you want to buy suits your cutting needs. Most concrete cutting tools malfunction easily because they are used for the wrong task. A cutting tool that is utilised for a wrong job doesn’t guarantee a lifetime service. Therefore, it is important to know the type of cutting job before purchasing a certain cutting tool.

Choosing the right kind of tool for a particular cutting job can save your budget. Aside from getting the best quality, you can also own a unit that will last for a long time. This will save you from buying tools over and over again because of its low grade quality. You can also inquire from experts for the right cutting tool for a specific job. These experts are fully knowledgeable of these tools and for its particular use.

7. Check the Manufacturer’s Background

Last, but not the least, you must check the manufacturer’s background and reputation. There are manufacturers that have a good track record. These companies are guaranteed to manufacture the best cutting tools. Acquiring cutting tools products from a reputed company will not disappoint you. Surely you’ll get cutting tools that are of high quality and last for a long period of time.

Checking out for these reputable manufacturers or distributors is very easy through the internet. You can search them using your preferred search engine. Doing a thorough research will help you find a company with good reputation. This also gives you the chance to settle with only the best and quality concrete cutting tool product to suit your every cutting need.

These are some of the best tips for choosing the right concrete block cutting tool. If you follow these considerations, you’ll surely find the perfect concrete cutting tool for your needs.

Techniques and Safety Tips for Cutting Massive Concrete Blocks

Cutting concrete can be a labour intensive process, depending on the kind of tools that you use. If you are used to cutting cement using a chisel then working with any form of concrete will be a rude awakening, and cutting large amounts of concrete will definitely surprise you.

Cutting concrete by hand is very, very hard work. Most people prefer to use a power splitter or a power saw instead to save time and energy.

grinding machine with sparks

Using the Right Tool for the Job

There are a few different tools that you can use to cut concrete blocks, and the tool you choose will depend on the material you are working with.

If you are working with pressed concrete flags you will probably want to use a power saw for fast, neat cuts.

If you are using wet cast flags then you should definitely stay away from hand tools because the characteristics of the material mean that you will end up struggling to cut through it and may find that the finish is ugly. Again, power saws are a good choice but you might need to hand trim the finished cut for neatness.

Cutting massive concrete blocks is best done with a splitter. Big blocks will need a hydraulic splitter. Concrete tends to kick up a lot of dust when it is cut, so you should make an effort to suppress the dust, and to wear protective clothing as well.

Working with Power Saws

There are a few different kinds of power saw. The hand-held cut-off saw is good for working with concrete slabs. Thicker, heavier concrete is best cut using a diamond tipped blade. These blades are usually used as part of a wet cutting process, where the blade is cooled with a constant stream of water and the slurry of dust and water is then collected by a vacuum cleaner.

There are, however, some diamond blades that can be used as part of a dry cutting process. However, if you do use a dry cut blade make sure that you wear a respirator and goggles so that you don’t get dust in your eyes, or inhale dust which could cause respiratory problems.

Blocks and Splitters

Blocks and splitters are the best thing to use to cut massive concrete blocks. They are relatively easy to use, and generate less dust than a power saw. In addition, they have very few moving parts so they are easy to maintain and less likely to cause injury to an inexperienced operator.

Splitters come in a range of sizes, and can be used to cut concrete blocks from as small as 25mm all the way up to massive blocks that are far too large to use a power saw on.

There are three different kinds of splitters:

  • Manually operated splitters,which are designed to be used to cut small paving slabs;
  • More advanced manually operated splitters with individual toothed blades that are good for cutting slabs with irregular surfaces; and
  • Hydraulic splitters,which are best for cutting massive concrete blocks

All of the varieties of splitters work by squeezing the block between two blades, putting pressure on the slabs until the slab snaps – hopefully cleanly, along the line of the blades.

Sometimes splitters can go wrong causing the block to shatter, but this usually only happens if you are working with low quality blocks or blocks that have a lot of air bubbles in them.

There are chain-saw style concrete cutting blades, and these can be used to cut into concrete to make square corners with no overcut. These are a good choice if you need to make a cut that is more precise than the kind that you can achieve with a block splitter.

Depending on the work you are doing you will need a few different kinds of concrete cutting tools. In addition to the tools you will need to invest in high quality safety equipment.

You should try to cover as much of your skin as possible, because repeated exposure to dust can cause dermatitis. In addition, you should wear eye protection and a good mask. Do not skimp on protective gear, because it takes just one mistake to cause serious injury.