Category: Concrete Cutting

Cutting through concrete that is reinforced with steel is a difficult task. 

Steel is often used to provide stability for structural concrete, and it does a good job of this.

However, it also means that if you need to cut the concrete you are likely to run into problems. 

Traditional blades will hit the steel and get chewed up or become blunt.

To cut through reinforced steel concrete, you will need to use the right tools and diamond blades are the best choice. 

Diamond blades are designed specifically for cutting very hard materials, and steel most definitely fits the bill in this regard. 

If you do decide to cut reinforced concrete using a diamond blade, you need to make sure that you use a fresh blade.

This is because cutting into anything with a diamond blade will slowly wear the diamonds off it. 

Think of diamond blades like sandpaper, but made with diamonds instead of abrasive sand.

Cutting Rebar is a Job for The Pros

Some concrete is made with ‘rebar’, or iron rods that are set into the structure before the concrete is poured. This is common for foundations, for example. 

The idea is that the rebar will help to hold the concrete in place, stopping it from shifting or cracking. Concrete with rebar is incredibly strong, by design. 

This can be quite a problem if you decide that you would like to trim it or adjust it, especially if you need to make additions to a property with a concrete slab.

While it is possible to cut through concrete with rebar using diamond blades and a concrete wet cutter, it is a job that is usually best left to the pros. 

This is partly because if you are cutting into walls or foundations you need to be wary of disturbing pipes, electrical cables or other utilities that may be masked on scans by the presence of the rebar.

If you are confident that you can cut the concrete safely, then you can rent or purchase a wet cutter and some blades:

• Measure the location of the cut carefully. Remember that it is difficult to make precise cuts at exact angles with a concrete cutter, so give some leeway with the measurements you do.
• Mark off the measurements using a highly visible marker that will not wash away when using a wet cutter. Photograph the measurements for reference.
• Choose a cutter that will handle the job easily. If you’re cutting a road, a walk-behind cutter is a good choice. Hydraulic hand cutters are a good option for a wall.
• Always wear safety gear when cutting concrete. Inhaling dust or getting it into your eyes could be very harmful, so a mask (a proper respirator, not just a dust mask) and eye goggles are a must, as is a pair of steel-toed boots, and leather gloves.
• Use a fresh blade, and let the cutter warm up so the blade is moving at the correct speed.

If you are using the right type of cutter and blade you should find that the concrete just ‘melts away’ and that the steel is not an issue either. 

The blade should run through it without you even noticing that you have met new resistance.

You can make the job easier by keeping a stream of water directed at the blade to cool the blade down. This does double duty. 

However, it helps to reduce the amount of dust that is kicked up by the blade, and it also helps to keep the blade cool and fully functioning. 

If the blade overheats, it will have a shorter useful life span.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Hydraulic ring saws are an incredibly effective cutting tool that can be used to make neat cuts even into thick and heavy concrete. 

It is particularly useful for cutting in small areas, hard to reach locations and confined spaces. Ring saws are not like hand saws. 

Rather than a metal blade with ‘teeth’ they use a circular blade that has an abrasive surface, often coated in diamonds, which will abrade the concrete and cut it that way. 

The rigid band is good for making straight, steady cuts.

Why Are Ring Saws a Good Choice

Ring saws are a good choice because they can make straight, deep and precise cuts. 

They can cut into or through very hard materials, and are comparatively safe to use.

How a Ring Saw Works

Ring saws rely on abrasion to cut into hard surfaces. They are powered by a hydraulic motor instead of an electric motor. 

This means that they are powerful and reliable, and can put out a lot of power. Hydraulic motors are essentially the same as hydraulic pumps. 

As hydraulic pressure is applied it creates the rotary motion that powers the saw. 

This kind of motor is quite inexpensive to make, and is very reliable, meaning that it is a good choice for heavy-duty machinery.

Ring saws powered by hydraulics are not prone to stalling in the way a petrol motor would. 

They can generate lots of power in a small package, and you can get a high-power ring saws that weigh less than 11kg, and that is more than up to the task of cutting into walls, roads, or structural concrete. 

Hydraulic ring saws put a tremendous amount of power into your hands, but a lot of that power comes from the blades that you choose. 

For the best performance, you should look for diamond blades. 

These are general-purpose blades that are coated in diamonds to provide maximum abrasive power.

Diamond Blades Will Need Replaced

High-quality diamond blades should last for a long time but you will need to replace them occasionally. 

How often they need to be replaced will depend on the environment that you are cutting in. 

It can be difficult to tell when a diamond blade needs to be replaced because unlike traditional saws, ring saws with diamond blades do not have a dull edge. 

You will have to stop cutting and look at the segments to identify if the blades are damaged. 

Or, just pay attention to see if the blade is cutting more slowly than normal.

Blades will wear out more quickly if you choose one that is too hard for the material being cut. 

They will also wear out more quickly if you are cutting for long periods without breaks. 

If you notice odd sounds, or that the cutting takes longer than you expected, then this is a sign that the blade may need to be replaced.

Hydraulic saws with diamond blades essentially ‘sand’ their way through the material, and they may kick up a lot of dust in the process.

Therefore, you should consider using water alongside them to make sure the cut goes through more smoothly. 

This will help to make the blade last longer, and will also mean that you don’t inhale copious amounts of concrete dust.

Hydraulic ring saws are so powerful that you may be able to get away with cutting with an almost smooth blade in an emergency, but it is far from ideal to do so. 

If you’re at a remote site and must get a job done, then a smooth blade might still work.

However, you need to be aware that it might vibrate a lot, which could damage the saw or lead to an uneven cut.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

If you are renovating your property and making improvements to the basement then you may have the need to cut a door into the foundations. 

This can seem like a huge and intimidating task, but it is something that is usually possible to do, and the task itself is simpler than you might think. 

The challenge is making sure that you meet all of the building code requirements before you start work.

Foundations Support The Whole Building

Remember that the foundation supports the building. If you cut part of the foundation away this can hamper the integrity of the building. 

For this reason, it is usually a good idea to have a surveyor inspect the property to determine where and how the foundations need to be underpinned in order to ensure that any work you do will not leave the building unstable.

Doors need to be at least 30″ wide, in most parts of the world, to be considered safe for use as an emergency exit. 

If you make an opening this size, you will need to make sure that the foundation on either side is stable, and you will need to reinforce the lintel as well.

Cutting a Door into a Concrete Foundation

The actual process of cutting an opening into a concrete foundation is relatively simple. 

You will need a very large and powerful saw or a drill and a lot of water, in order to make the cut. 

Concrete cutting saws are usually large circular saws with diamond blades. There are both wet cut and dry cut concrete saws. 

Dry saws will, as the name suggests, cut into concrete without needing a water supply to keep the blade moving. 

The downside of these is that they produce an awful lot of dust. 

In general, it would not be a good idea to use a dry saw in a basement, since concrete dust is not something that you want to inhale. 

Even wearing a mask, the dust will go everywhere and be difficult to remove/clean up.

Wet saws rely on water directed at the area that is being cut. The water mixes with the concrete dust, stopping it from being kicked up into the air. 

The water is sucked up as it runs off from the surface being cut, taking the concrete dust with it. 

There will always be some run-off and dampness left, but in general, using a wet saw is the preferred option for health and safety reasons, and also because wet saw blades tend to last longer before needing to be replaced.

Once you have cut the opening into the concrete, you will need to frame it with structural timber to ensure that the opening remains strong. 

Note that with newer properties, the foundation may still be ‘settling’ and that it might shift or crack over time. 

A small amount of movement is normal with any property, but larger shifts can be down to subsidence and can cause significant problems. 

Structural framing will help to reduce the risk of any small shift from leading to damage to the walls or roof.

If you are not sure whether the work that you are planning is safe or a good idea then you should talk to an expert before you start making changes to the property. 

Planning and building control regulations can vary from area to area and a local expert will be able to advise you on the requirements to keep your family, staff or other building users safe.

This will ensure that the building remains in good condition for many years to come.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Installing a toilet on a concrete floor may not be the most difficult task in the world.

However, if you don’t prepare properly and take the right precautions you can make it a whole lot harder than what it needs to be.

Instead of being afraid of the project and leaving it for someone else, the following helpful tips can make things simpler for you if you want to tackle this on your own.

DO’s

DO have some bolt cutters handy. When digging into concrete, you may notice that there are wires nested in there.

This is not something that you want to ignore when installing a toilet.

Make sure that you have bolt cutters around in case there is some snipping that needs to be done.

DO add water to your blades. When you saw through concrete, there will be a ton of dust all over the place.

This may become such an issue that you might need to take constant breaks.

While there is no way to eliminate this issue as a whole, you should try wetting it the concrete so the amount of dust released is significantly reduced.

DO think about installing a flange on any new flooring before you set the toilet in place.

This will make it much easier to cut the flooring where the base of the toilet will be placed.

You will need some special equipment, like spray lubricant, to ensure that this is done correctly.

Again, if this is not something you believe you can do on your own, it might be a good idea for you to call in some reinforcements.

DON’Ts

DON’T assume you will need a jackhammer to complete this task. This may seem like a logical choice, but it can make things harder than ever.

The first issue is the fact that this tool is more than likely way too big for the job at hand.

The other issue is having someone experienced to operate it. Either way, it is not likely this will turn out well.

DON’T avoid calling in a seasoned professional if it feels like you are being overwhelmed.

This may not be the cheapest option, but it will save you a great deal of time and aggravation.

A good reason to do this would be if the project seems larger than expected and there is a chance that working on it will violate some of the local council or building codes.

Calling a pro is more than worth the money that you will invest, so give this some careful consideration.

DON’T forget to place your vents properly and use the correct size. If you don’t vent the toilet correctly, it will make the flush weak.

This means that you will need to flush more than once in order to fully empty the bowl.

Not only is this an annoyance, but it means that you will use more water, which means that your water bills will increase too.

While this is not the simplest job, it is also not the most difficult.

The key is making sure that you have the right equipment handy and making sure that you are following all of the regulations for your local area.

When it comes to toilet installations, it is possible to hire someone to take care of this for you or you can try to complete this task on your own.

While the latter is a great way to save money, you should certainly call someone to help if it gets too difficult for you to handle.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Cutting concrete is a very hard task that requires a large amount of expertise, patience and precision.

This is not something that you can do on a whim without giving it much thought.

If you want to do the job safely and efficiently, it would be a good idea to avoid making any of the following mistakes.

Not Starting With A Single Cut

If you begin this task with a single surface cut, it will act as a guide and prevent you from going off course while you are using the saw.

In addition, it will break into the concrete in such a way that it will ease some of the surface tension. As a result, you will find it much easier to cut through.

Working Without Safety Gear

Do not go into this acting like you are invincible.

Regardless of how large or small the job is, you should always wear protective gear when you are working with concrete.

This is because there will be dust and debris all over the place and it is best avoided.

The main way to keep yourself safe would be to wear earmuffs, safety goggles and a pair of gloves.

Additional clothing may be worn, but these items are absolutely essential.

Using Blades That Aren’t Sharp Enough

It would seem like sharper blades would be more dangerous since they can cut through surfaces easier, but the opposite is actually true.

If you decide to use a blade that isn’t quite up for this task, you are significantly increasing your chances of being injured since it will be more difficult to saw through the floor.

Aside from the risk of being cut, dull blades take longer to get the job done, which means extended exposure to concrete dust.

As soon as you notice blades are being worn down, it is best to swap them for sharper ones.

Forgetting About What Lies Beneath

You shouldn’t make an assumption that the floor you are cutting through is extremely deep and there are no obstructions beneath the surface.

Try being proactive and choosing equipment that is strong enough to cut through anything that may be there, including wires, pipes and rebar.

While you cannot be certain that your sawing will uncover these materials, it is better to be prepared.

Failing To Control Dust

This is something that is always important, but more so when you are working on a concrete floor that is located indoors.

If possible, you should consider wet cutting, which greatly reduces the amount of dust that is produced.

In the event that this is not an option, you should seal off the rooms where you are working from the rest of the structure.

In addition, you have to make sure that you vacuum well once the job is done. This will prevent harmful silica-laden dust from causing issues down the track.

Beginning With the Proper Planning

You should never start a job of this magnitude without making some plans ahead of time.

From mapping out everything that needs to be done to using chalk to mark the places where you will be cutting, being proactive means that you will be far more efficient when it comes to getting the job done.

It is not as easy to cut through concrete as it may seem and there are many instances where people are injured and/or not as efficient as they can be.

If you want to reduce the chances of running into problems and being hurt while you are completing the task at hand, it would be a good idea for you to avoid making any of the errors that were discussed above.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Concrete is one of those materials that is guaranteed to crack over time.

With that said, there are some who choose to create intentional cracks instead of sitting around and waiting for trouble to brew.

If you are not familiar with how to do this and you would like a bit more of an insight, it would be best if you continue reading.

Reasons For Controlling The Cracks

One reason that some people try controlling cracks is for aesthetic value.

They like the look of cracked concrete and they do not want to sit around waiting for nature to take its course.

Instead, they crack the concrete on purpose to achieve the desired look.

Another reason is to control the way that the concrete cracks as far as the size of the cracks and the multitude of them.

It is also a wise idea to have some control over where the cracks occur.

For instance, you can ensure the corners and edges of concrete will crack instead of having a large crack down the middle.

Cutting It Yourself

If you are savvy enough, it is possible to complete this task on your own.

It will be necessary for you to do one of two things: You can rent a saw and add some cracks or you can install joints during the finishing process.

If you choose to do the former, you may want to hire a saw from someone else since there is a chance the job will make blades become blunt.

If you lease a machine from elsewhere, that means the sharpening of the blades won’t be your responsibility.

It is crucial that you know where you are cutting since you do not want to cause any structural damage.

If in doubt, you should digress and hand over this responsibility to a professional.

In the event that you decide to install joints, this is a bit more complicated and you will need to be certain that you know what you are doing ahead of time.

Otherwise, you may make things worse than expected.

Hiring A Professional

In the event that you feel this project is beyond your scope, you should not hesitate to reach out for assistance.

While you might believe this shows a lack of skill, it is better than making an error that can not be fixed right away.

When hiring a professional, it is important to do your research in order to ensure you are dealing with the best possible company for the job.

While this is not an inexpensive decision, it is one that you are likely to find is more than worth the investment.

Safety First

Before beginning any construction projects, it is imperative that you know how to keep yourself safe in the process.

These rules apply to those who decide to cut the concrete with a saw:

• Make sure that the blade is sharp. A dull blade has the potential to be more damaging than you think.
• Always wear safety goggles. This process will create a lot of dust and you do not want any of it to get into your eyes.
• Wear a mask so that the amount of silica dust your lungs are exposed to is minimal. This can be extremely dangerous.
• Never operate equipment while under the influence of drugs, alcohol and certain medications.

This may seem like common sense, but it cannot be stressed enough since it will assure maximum safety.

Whether you want to change the way your concrete looks or your concern is more about saving its integrity, it may be necessary for you to cause intentional cracks.

Hopefully, this guide has given you an understanding of why this is necessary, how to do it and how to keep yourself safe during the process.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Concrete cutting is something that is used extensively in construction to make holes and openings in ceilings, walls, floors etc.

Concrete cutting can be a complicated task, and it requires special equipment that is powerful enough to cut through the material while producing clean, straight edges.

As such, there are a few different types of concrete cutting. This can be divided into two broad categories – wet sawing and dry sawing.

Further to this, there are more focused types of sawing techniques for specific situations, such as ring sawing to cut smaller holes, and wire sawing for making very accurate cuts.

Dry vs Wet Cutting

Dry sawing is a quick and easy way of cutting large amounts of concrete, and a lot of contractors will employ this technique for large-scale projects.

The main downside to dry cutting is that it produces huge amounts of dust. This means that it is only useful in areas where there is good ventilation.

Dry cutting must be done with diamond blades that are designed to reduce dust buildup so that the saw does not overheat.

Workers should wear protective masks at all times so that they do not inhale the dust.

Wet cutting, on the other hand, is used in areas where dust is more of an issue. A steady stream of water is directed towards the blade.

Wet cutting helps to prevent or minimise the production of dust, and it also helps to keep the blade cool which can prolong its life.

Wire Sawing

Wire sawing is a cutting method that is used when you want to make an accurate cut into reinforced concrete.

Wire sawing is useful if you want to make cuts in a specific shape or to a precise size. This uses diamond-embedded cables to make cuts into tough materials.

The wires can cut not only cut concrete but also steel. One of the key benefits of wire sawing is that it can make precise cuts while keeping vibration to a minimum.

Specialist Concrete Cutting

Older methods of cutting concrete produced jagged edges, which then needs to be re-finished.

The nature of the cuts would sometimes damage the structure, and repairing it was costly.

More modern cutting methods, especially ones which use diamond blades and water, will reduce the amount of dust kicked up by the cutting process and can also help to make the cut a lot smoother.

Wire sawing produces fewer vibrations than blade sawing, for example, and slab sawing using a circular saw is useful for cutting perfectly straight lines.

Handheld Saws vs Walk Behind Saws

Cutting concrete is a physically demanding job.

While modern handheld saws are lighter than their counterparts from even a decade ago, they are still awkward to handle for longer cuts.

Walk behind saws can be useful for cutting into large slabs. These devices cut more quickly than their handheld counterparts because they produce more horsepower.

Because the operator is not having to hold the saw and control it themselves, they can turn the power up further, enjoying a more powerful and sharper cut.

The blades on a walk-behind saw tend to be positioned to one side, too, which means that you can cut closer to a standing wall, making them handy in areas where space is at a premium.

It is still important to choose the correct blades and to use water or suction to manage dust.

The tools are out there to enable DIY enthusiasts to do their own concrete cutting, but in many scenarios, it is a good idea to bring in the experts for safety reasons.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/

Concrete sawing is generally seen as a manual task but like so many other jobs out there today there is a growing movement towards using technology to make life easier.

The earlier generations of electrical concrete saws and petrol saws were loud, noisy, and cumbersome.

It was difficult to make precise cuts, with these saws mostly being used for the most rough and ready jobs.

The Evolution of The Concrete Saw

Today, all that has changed. Modern saws have improved precision and are much easier to manipulate.

Many modern saws take a lot of the measurement burden away from the operator, which reduces the instances of human error.

In addition, they cut more quickly and offer a cleaner finish thanks to improvements in the quality and toughness of the blades.

Concrete saw blades can look rather primitive, but there has been a lot of work put into making the blades that we use today.

Blades and bits are usually made from a steel core or tube, with segments that are then welded to the core using high-precision laser welding.

The segments are made from very hard materials (usually diamond or cobalt).  

Blades can be up to 84 inches across, and a high-quality blade can cost thousands of dollars, but it is worth the money.

What Makes a Good Blade?

A good blade will have very strong segments. The fewer segments that the blade has, the lower the friction and the faster the blade will cut.

Depending on the intended application, however, a low number of segments may not be desirable.

In some cases, the operator may prefer a blade that has more segments since this means that the blade will last longer before it needs to be replaced.

In addition to the number of segments on the blade, another thing which will need to be considered is the RPM.

Even at comparatively low RPMs, blades can still get very hot. For this reason, blades are water-cooled.

Existing water-cooled saws use up to 2,000 litres of water per hour to keep the blades cool.

Reducing this level of water waste is something that companies are investigating.

The type of concrete being cut is another consideration. The type of blade that you choose may be influenced by the type of concrete that you are working with.

The most common kinds of concrete are hard-rock and limestone.

Limestone concrete is quite easy to cut, being relatively soft and porous, while hard-rock concrete is tougher to work with.

Cutting in Difficult Environments

Working with a difficult type of concrete is just one challenge.

Another area where concrete saw manufacturers have been forced to innovate is that of limited access cutting.

There are many environments where it is difficult to cut because the environment is cramped.

This not only makes maneuverability difficult but also means that the excessive amounts of dust cause ventilation issues.

There are many techniques which can be used in those environments.

For example, wall sawing is something that is often used not just for concrete walls but also working with concrete floors as well.

Using ‘track sawing’ and powerful saws with diamond blades can offer precise cuts in environments where other saws may not be suitable.

Concrete cutting is a challenging task and it is important to choose the right tools for the job.

Safety gear is essential because of the high RPM of the tools, and the amount of dust that can be produced even when water is used to reduce friction and cool the blades.

The best contractors stay abreast of the latest technologies to ensure that they are using the safest and most efficient tools for the job.

If you are looking for a specialist concrete cutting company who uses only the best practices to get the job done right, then please call us at Megasaw  on 1300 920 419 or contact us through our website www.megasaw.com.au/contact-us/