Find the Right Concrete Cutting Service | MEGASAW
MegasawConcrete Cutting, Tools

Guide On How To Find The Right Concrete Cutting Service For Your Business

Are you currently working in an industry that heavily utilises concrete? Whether for developments or manufacturing, concrete is a staple resource that is used in many different fields of business. Whenever there’s concrete involved, there is almost always a cutting service that is required. Concrete is a hard and durable material and needs professional assistance in order to cut. Getting high-quality concrete cutting is critical for business success, thus here’s a comprehensive guide on how you can choose the right cutting service

Great Portfolios Represent Great Experience

Did you know that many well-established firms that provide cutting services for concrete will have a portfolio that is available to be viewed by prospective clients? Portfolios include all of the past engagements that the business has worked on in the past. The great thing about portfolios is that they are a tremendously reliable measure of the past quality of work of a given concrete cutter.

When searching for the right service, looking through all of the various portfolios of concrete cutting services in the area is a great first step. By being able to gauge the types of projects a business has been assigned in the past, an idea of what kind of cutting services the company excels at can be ascertained. It’s worth noting that certain cutting services will be better at one type of cutting than another. It’s up to you to choose the right business which has a proven track record in the project you’re currently working on.

Safety Standards as an Indicator or Reliability

Have you considered the correlation between safety standards and quality of service? Many people that utilise the services of concrete cutters don’t realise that by looking at the safety protocols of a cutting firm, they can reliably judge the quality of service the firm can provide.

Many safety protocols are required to be followed to ensure the safe provision of cutting concrete. These include everything from conducting the cutting in an enclosed and safe area, all the way to having the cutters wear complete safety gear. There is plenty of information within the industry that goes into detail about all of the specifics concerning the safe cutting of concrete.

Services that don’t follow these protocols by taking safety shortcuts are significantly likely to provide a poor quality service. It is an unspoken rule throughout various development and manufacturing businesses that services which disregard the importance of safety are likely to ignore the quality of service that they provide. Considering that they are willing to take shortcuts with safety, it isn’t a long stretch for them to start taking shortcuts with how they carry out cutting services. Firms that are meticulous in ensuring the right safety of their employees are likely to be just as stringent in making sure that they can deliver a quality cutting procedure for their clients.

Quality of Equipment Determines Quality of Service

construction worker using a jackhammer

There is a common saying that a tradesperson is only as good as the tools that they use. This is definitely the case with concrete cutting. The quality of cutting equipment that is utilised will bear great significance in the precision of the concrete cutting that is carried out. Quality equipment dictates so many different variables from how quickly the concrete can be cut, to how precisely the cut can be made. For businesses that require highly specific measurements for concrete, it is essential that whichever company they choose uses the highest standard in equipment.

Most firms that provide a cutting service for concrete will advertise the types of equipment that they use. These firms understand that equipment is vitally important to their effectiveness in carrying out business. Hence, firms that are unwilling to showcase the various brands and models of tools that they use are likely trying to hide something. Firms which happily boast about how high quality their equipment is will probably have all the tools required to provide top-quality service.

The Importance of Insurance

When was the last time you checked if a service firm you utilised had been adequately insured? Many businesses just assume that the company that they have hired for manual services such as concrete cutting are insured. However, many firms are either inadequately insured or have no insurance at all. It’s essential for any manager or business owner to make the right inquiries to ensure that whoever they contract with has the right amount of insurance.

It’s important to dig deep regarding the insurance of a firm providing a cutting service. Quality firms will be able to quickly reassure clients about all of the various technicalities about their insurance policies and how they are qualified to provide their service. Firms that are not be trusted will be unwilling or uncooperative in assisting potential clients looking to find out more about their insurance policies. Insurance ensures that any service can be carried out safely and securely for both parties. When it comes to concrete cutting, it’s essential that all aspects of insurance are appropriately recognised and understood.

diamond grind wheels
MegasawDiamond Grinding, Tools

Handy Tips for Diamond Grinding Services and Keeping Tools in Top Condition

To the uninitiated, it does sound like a rather luxurious surface maintenance technique. But to those in the know, diamond grinding is one of the toughest, most efficient and most effective methods of enhancing a dull or damaged concrete surface.

The track record that diamond tools have is impressive. It is not only that the hardness of the stone in question is so great that cracked, stained or uneven pavements and concrete floors (indoors and outdoors) can be rehabilitated quickly and effectively, it is also a cost effective option. And provided the equipment used is up to scratch, the demands on labour is eased considerably.

But such positives come at a price. The wear and tear on the diamond disks that do the actual grinding and polishing is typically extensive, so your diamond grinding tool needs to be properly maintained if its effectiveness – both in terms of job quality and cost – is to be consistent.

Over the past four decades, we at MegaSaw have built up a considerable reputation for providing diamond grinding services of the highest quality. But we have also learned the importance of maintaining the equipment and tools needed to get the job done. So, we have put together some tips how best to keep your diamond grinder in tip-top condition.

Why use Diamond Grinders?

newly grinded concrete floor

The bottom line is that the technology makes cleaning and evening a floor or pavement surface pretty easy. Diamond grinders use horizontally rotating discs encrusted with industrial diamonds to clean, level and smooth the concrete surface. A vacuum serves to lift away the minute debris, leaving behind a smoother, cleaner surface.

Diamond grinding tools offer considerable advantages over alternative options when it comes to repairing and enhancing concrete surfaces.

  • High efficiency, low force – The grinding process does create heat, but because there is a hole in the grinding process less heat is generated. This in turn lessens the chance of cracks developing on the workpiece surface, thus decreasing the machine’s energy consumption and the rate of wear and tear. So, the lower force results in a higher level of efficiency.
  • Low wear rate – As already mentioned, diamonds are extremely hard wearing so it stands to reason that the wear rate on the diamond cups and disks is very low. The machine only grinds away a thin layer of the surface with great grinding precision, a fact which also helps to ensure the lowest possible wear rate.
  • Long lifespan – Of course, if the lifespan of the diamond grinder you use is long, then the cost efficiency is going to be pretty good. Short-lived machinery have a great net cost. And the fact that the diamond workpiece lasts long makes the work efficiency rate high too.
  • Low labour intensity – Using a grinder to improve or repair the state of a concrete floor or pavement removes practically all of the hard work. All you need to do is control the machine as it glides over the area grinding out the broken and uneven segments. It means the labour intensity is low, making the work experience easier.

Maintaining your Diamond Grinder

Every cleaning process takes its toll on the technology used to accomplish it. When it comes to diamond grinding, there are a number of issues that can develop over time and use which require maintenance. More often than not, these are related to the surface the grinder is used on, and not understanding how the different segment options and surface preparation techniques impact on the floor in question.

4 Tips to Top Diamond Grinder Maintenance

1. Know Your Surface – It would be nice if your diamond grinder could handle every type of surface with ease, but it does have its limitations. Despite the hardness that diamonds boast, a grinder is not suitable for aggressive profiling, so it should only be used to remove light, thin layers. Forget about removing patches of vinyl, or paint or some other floor coatings.

2. Prepare the surface – If the floor or pavement area to be worked on has some coatings over it (even small patches), those patches need to be removed. This may require some elbow grease but will save you time in the long run. It is also important to know that one run over is never enough, and a proper surface rehabilitation job can only be done over several steps, each graduating to the next to ensure a smooth finish to the floor. This relates specifically to the grit chosen, but preparing the surface properly (sweeping clear dust, dirt and debris, filling cracks and holes etc) is an essential starting point for what follows.

3. Choose the right diamond segment – The particular material or a floor or pavement is going to dictate your choice of diamond segment. Choose the wrong one, and the wear is higher, efficiency lower and maintenance cost greater.

There are a number of elements that influence which diamond segment is appropriate.

  • The bond is the metal that holds the diamonds in place, but also to wear away to ensure a layer of diamonds is always exposed. A hard bond is best when dealing with abrasive material like soft concrete or rain-damaged pavement. Medium bond tends to perform poorly with hard materials, but wears away more quickly on abrasive materials. Soft bonds are perfect for use on hard materials because it wears away quickly ensuring there is always a layer of hard diamond exposed to handle the surface.
  • Grit is the diamond size in the metal, ranging from coarse (30-40) to medium (70-80) to fine (140-150). As mentioned above, an effective diamond grinding job starts with a well-prepared surface and the right grit. Using the wrong grit at the wrong stage can result not just in a poor quality job, but also in unnecessarily intensive wear and tear on the diamond grinder. Generally, you would start with a coarse grit (16-30) to remove the hard breaks and uneven areas. The grit size then doubles with each stage, gradually breaking down the surface irregularities until the surface is sufficiently smooth. Polishing the concrete requires a switch from a diamond metal cup to a resin pad and can involve as many as seven stages (50 grit to 3,000 grit), depending on the finish you want.
  • The shape of the diamonds used can have an impact too. Arrow heads have sharp leading edges for slicing, so are effective for glue removal. Square segments have a long leading edge, so are ideal on uneven concrete. Round headed diamonds have a subtle leading edge so are perfect for working with finer grits.

4. Consider grinder weight – When diamond grinding, the weight of your machine can have a say on the wear and tear it experiences. Heavier units are more aggressive on the surface because the diamond cup or disk is slightly closer to the floor. You may want to look into adding ballast weights, especially when it comes to dealing with hard materials.

Diamond Grinding Services from MegaSaw

We are one of the leading names when it comes to concrete diamond grinding services in Melbourne, and Victoria State. Recognised specialists in the field, we have completed projects quickly and cost-efficiently for domestic, corporate, local authority and government clients. So, whether you need the concrete flooring in your garage professionally restored, or your supermarket, warehouse or section of street pavement smoothened, MegaSaw is a name you can trust.

For more on our concrete diamond grinding services, and what we can do for you, call us on 1300 920 419. Alternatively, you can email us at info@megasaw.com.au with your query. We’ll be happy to help you.

operator and road sawing machine with complete gear
MegasawRoad Sawing, Tools

Safety Precautions in Handling Concrete Road Sawing Tools

It is a well known fact that concrete is one of the toughest materials to work with. When it comes to cutting concrete roads, powerful tools are required to ensure that the cutting is done in the right manner. There used to be a time when people had to cut through concrete using only chisel and hammer as most of the power tools were not easily available. However, cutting concrete roads has become far easier these days as power tools can easily penetrate through concrete.

When it comes to concrete road sawing, there are a lot of concrete road sawing tools available in the market. There are basic concrete road saws that are used for cutting flat work. There are also wire saws, handheld cut-off saws as well as chain saws.

It is important to realise that a concrete road saw is a very powerful tool. Therefore, it needs to be handled in a safe manner. It may look like any other power tool to an observer. However, people who actually handled road saws understand that even a minor mistake poses a big danger to them as well as people near them.

operator and road sawing machine with complete gear

All of the saws available in the market including the road saws come with standard safety instructions. It is important for any operator to follow these instructions at all times. It is essential to ensure that the guards are always well maintained and positioned in the right manner. Also, the blades should always be tight and straight. Needless to say, you must need to use the right blade with the saw. Below are some essential precautions that you should follow to acquire optimum safety when handling road saws.

Safety from Silica Dust

One of the biggest dangers in cutting concrete is the generation of silica dust. When concrete is cut with an abrasive blade or a diamond blade, it generates very fine dusts. Some of these fine dusts contain silica dust. Silica dust is very dangerous as it is fine enough to be drawn deeply into the human lungs. If you inhale high quantity of fine silica dust, it may cause silicosis.

Silicosis is a lung disease that causes lung fibrosis and there is no known cure for this. Quite a few construction workers lose their lives every year due to silicosis. Therefore, it is important that the person who is cutting concrete on a regular basis should protect himself from silica dust. It is important to keep silica on the ground and prevent it from becoming airborne. If it is not possible to keep silica on the ground, then workers should use respirators to breathe. However, wet saws or other types of vacuum systems can prevent the silica dust from getting into the air.

Blade Safety

Blade is the most important part of a concrete road saw and also the most dangerous. Almost all of the concrete cutting saws make use of diamond blades as these cut much better than the abrasive blades and these are affordable these days. The most important thing about blades is that you need to choose the right type of blade for your particular sawing job. There are both wet and dry blades available in the market and it is essential to ensure that wet blades are used with water. Dry blades can be used with or without water.

Since concrete is a very tough material, blades can get damaged on a regular basis. It is recommended to have a careful look at the blades before you start cutting with those blades. Since these blades are rotated at a very high speed, it leads to generation of a lot of heat. It is possible that already damaged blades may eject hot steel pieces that can cause injury to the operator of the saw or anyone who is standing nearby. Therefore, it is important to check that there are no damaged segments and there are no cracks in the blade. Also, you need to get a new blade if it seems that the blade has been overheated.

Prevention of Kickback and Lock in

The term kickback is used to refer to the event when the cutting saw jumps back towards the operator. There can be many causes of kickback. Usually, it happens when the operator tries to put the blade into a cut that is already started without the blade spinning at the top speed. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that the blade in the saw is at top speed before putting the blade in an existing cut. On the other hand, lock in happens due to shifting of the work piece. Therefore, one needs to ensure that it is properly clamped to prevent any lock in.

Using Protective Equipment

It is essential to wear safety glasses while cutting concrete. Also, a respirator is required when cutting dry concrete. You also need to protect your ears and therefore, ear plugs or earmuffs should be used.

Overall, concrete road saws are very powerful tools that allow one to work efficiently. However, it is important to take safety precautions seriously to prevent any kind of unfortunate incidents while working.

dirty concrete cutting tool in operation
MegasawTools

An Introductory Guide to Storing and Maintenance of Concrete Cutters

Concrete cutting tools such as a diamond chainsaw and concrete disc/circular saw are like other tools in the trades. They are designed to make construction work convenient. Manufacturers such as Husqvarna produces these tools, along with the tools is the maintenance and care guide. Being an owner, you are responsible to know how to maintain and service your tools.

This is especially true if they are part of your livelihood. As with any tools, you need to maintain them so that you can rely on them when construction work comes. Have you ever seen a video where a tool underwent sudden freak catastrophic failure, and someone loses a limb? Did the tool in the video look well-maintained? I doubt.

Protecting yourself from harm is a natural instinct. You know that a chainsaw can kick randomly, and it is a great way to lose fingers if one isn’t paying proper attention when cutting.

Regular Maintenance is Necessary

dirty and clean concrete cutting tools

One of the best ways to prevent needless injuries is to maintain tools. Concrete tools, specifically, have some unique requirements when compared to other tools. You may leave a circular saw for cutting wood in a dusty shop for a short bit; this isn’t a problem and won’t negatively affect the life of the saw or its blade. But this is not applicable for a concrete saw.

Concrete contains chemicals that help prevent corrosion of the steel and rebar that reinforces buildings. Leaving these curatives on your blades can quickly wear down the blade and can easily damage the mechanics. Letting the concrete dry upon the tool leads to a host of health issues during handling as well.

Not to mention concrete is a pain to clean off once it dries on the tools. Are you willing to clean those dried concrete for hours? Of course not. Don’t needlessly create more work for yourself.

In the case of the concrete saw, you can easily clean the concrete and its residue off the blade or external housing of the saw with a shop rag and a non-abrasive cleaner if needed. Just remove the blade and do the cleaning.

If you aren’t certain on how to clean the chain, check with your manufacturer for the best way to clean your specific tool.

Concrete contains nitrates and chromates that are added to protect the underlying steel from corrosion. Concrete is also acidic (high pH, 12.5 and even higher. It is comparable to lye). Both of these factors need to be taken into consideration when working with concrete. High levels of pH exposure can cause damage to you and your tools over time.

Plasticizers are often added to concrete to add levels of weather resistance to the mixture. These are harmful to your tools if you let them set and don’t clean them immediately. Don’t let these additives build up and wear out, or worse, dull your tools.

Cutting anything with a dull blade is an accident waiting to happen. Often, it can be difficult to know if your blade/chain is dull and needs replacement. Letting concrete build up on your tools and not cleaning or storing them properly exacerbates the wear and tear on both the tool and the blade/chain itself.

Proper Storing of Your Tools is a Must

Storing your tools in a dry place out of the weather is key to both preventing wear and tear as well as preventing damage caused by working with concrete, in general. Cutting on hard objects like concrete adds heat and stress to the blade and the motor of the tool, even though they are designed to withstand certain levels of such treatment.

In addition, rest your tool every two hours of solid cutting. When we push our tools to the maximum, we need to rest them as well. Store concrete tools in a dry, (never put them away wet or damp) non-humid location away from the weather.

Do not store your tools directly under the sun or in a place where temperatures fluctuate radically (such as in the tool box on the back of a work truck.) Storing for small periods, like over lunch, is fine. Storing overnight or between shifts (5+ hours) in such an environment is damaging to the tools and lowers its lifespan.

Responsible tool use is something we all learnt, sadly tool maintenance is not. It is everyone’s job to prevent tool related injuries. Clean your blade every time you need to do so. Simply making the effort whenever possible will add years of safe use to your concrete cutters.

Not having to replace those diamond dusted chains as often would go a long way toward that sweet new work truck though, just saying. Having all your limbs intact to drive it wouldn’t be so bad either.

hand-held concrete grinding tool
MegasawConcrete Grinding, Tools

Types and Uses of Hand-Held Concrete Grinding Tools and its Pros and Cons

Concrete grinders are specialised tools which use abrasives to grind or polish. They are very useful in:

  • Removing concrete work flaws or glue
  • Making rough spaces smooth
  • Getting rid of protrusions or formwork seams, paint spills, and bad concrete jobs

There are various concrete grinders but for this article, we’ll look at hand-held grinders. Usually, they are the smallest concrete grinders and can be an extremely important, dynamic grinding tool for concrete demolition companies.

hand-held concrete grinding tool

Incredible Benefits of Hand-Held Grinders

1. Can be used to Roughen up Surfaces

Most handheld grinders are popular for smoothening out rough surfaces before concrete or any other coating is applied. However, they can also be used to roughen up surfaces when your walls and floors need some coating.

2. Effectively Removes Defaced Items

Hand-held grinders are better suited to these projects and jobs:

  • Graffiti or worn murals wither painted on walls by some teenagers
  • Floors that need smoothening
  • A home’s defaced parts that have to be removed

3. Can Access Difficult to Reach Places

Often, standard sized concrete grinders cannot reach difficult locations in a home or building. Hand-held concrete grinding tools on the other hand can:

  • Work in vertical structures, standard concrete pulverisers never work on vertical structures
  • Fit into tiny spaces like those areas right by or before the walls

4. Lightweight Tools

Hand-held concrete grinders are usually between 5 and 9 inches. This makes them very portable and easy to use for getting rid of concrete work blemishes. Most concrete grinding tools are heavy and often unable to access some difficult areas. But with hand-held concrete grinders, it’s easy to:

  • Carry them around
  • Reach difficult places

Disadvantages of Handheld Concrete Grinders

A. They Aren’t Suited to Large Projects

Most hand-held concrete grinders, while useful for small sized projects and small spots, aren’t effective for large areas. To work on a large area or space, you will need bigger concrete grinding machines. Hand-held concrete grinders are also ineffective for profiling large areas of concrete, unlike bigger walk-behind machines.

B. No Vacuum or Dust Collector

Bigger concrete grinding machines often have vacuums or dust collectors. Some of them even have a water dispenser to minimise dust released from the grinding. Concrete dust often contains high amounts of silica, harmful to workers’ health because they can cause:

  • Silicosis
  • Other respiratory diseases

In Melbourne and its surrounding areas, get the services of highly experienced concrete grinding services like Megasaw. We offer world class and very professional concrete grinding services. Get in touch with us now at 1300 920 419 or email us at Megasaw@bigpond.net.au for all your concrete grinding projects and other related works.

portable stone cutting tool
MegasawBlock Cutting, Tools

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.

hand-held concrete grinding tool
MegasawConcrete Grinding, Tools

Selecting The Right Concrete Grinding Equipment and Tools

During the past few years, concrete grinding has advanced considerably and new technological innovations have made concrete grinding much more efficient. To achieve the results you desire, you must select the proper grinding machine and grinding bits that are suitable for your particular job. We will provide you with an overview on how to select the appropriate equipment for your needs.

Types Of Concrete Grinders

There are two different types of grinders currently available, floor models, and handheld models. Handheld grinders are lightweight and are used on walls, door seals, and other above ground areas. Since this type of grinder is handheld, you must control it manually in order to create a smooth surface, unlike floor models which are much heavier and require less manual control. The latest generation of handheld concrete grinders are fitted with type 28 saucer discs instead of type 27 flat discs and this allows the operator to exert more control over the job.

Concrete GrindingIn terms of size, floor grinders are naturally larger in size and also heavier than hand-held grinders and are normally used for resurfacing concrete floors. In comparison with the handheld units floor grinders are easier to control and can also cover larger areas in a relatively short span of time. These grinders also come with a variety of attachments making them suitable for many different kinds of concrete grinding jobs. They may be used to totally resurface a concrete floor or to remove a coating that was previously applied to the floor surface.

Types Of Grinder Attachments

The two head floor grinder attachments currently available on the market are actually a combination of six grinding stones or cutter heads. Each of these heads rotates in opposite directions giving the operator improved control over the grinding process. The standard grinding stones are normally suitable for removing concrete surface of some types of coatings, but if the coating is gummy or thick it may plug up the stones. Concrete grinders with diamond cutters are also available. Diamond cutter are most costly but they last much longer than standard stone grinders and they are capable of grinding at a much faster rate than standard, stone head grinders.

Another excellent available alternative are carbide concrete grinders. Carbide grinders are a better choice for heavy concrete coatings and they can perform with better efficiency on mastics, heavy paints, and gummy coatings.

If you require a high speed concrete floor grinder, the it is best for you to use large size diamond discs. They are perfectly designed for faster performance and are normally used for the purpose of removing painted traffic lines or for completely grinding concrete surface.

While grinding concrete, examine the condition of the concrete surface and select the right grinding tools and blades as explained above.

MegasawConcrete Sawing, Tools

Concrete Sawing – Handheld Concrete Saw or Walk Behind ?

A Concrete Saw is a powerful tool used to cut very hard objects, like concrete, asphalt, masonry, tiles etc. There are several types of saws like portable and hand held saws, a giant walk behind saw and different types of other saws used for various sawing purposes. In the same way it has various blades that are integrated in different types of saws for various types of cutting. A close overview of the types of saws blades and ways to concrete sawing is discussed below:

Types of Concrete Saws

Concrete SawingUsually there are two categories of concrete saws – small handheld and bigger walk-behind. The formal saws are lightweight and easily movable, compared to the walk-behind saw. These are, more often than not, facilitated to saw wall openings along with minor surface jobs like curbing holes for putting posts in a slab.

Walk-behind saws are used while standing behind the saw and operating it. These are faster cutting devices as they’re equipped with increased horsepower and its power can be increased while cutting. The heavy weight of these saws enables you to hold it down into the cut area giving a better and sharper cut. Due to having wheels and a guide indicator, it is very easy to work over a defined crayon line and get a straight cut. The blades in a walk-behind saw are mounted to one side to enable a cut closer to a standing wall.

Concrete saws are usually associated with gasoline fueled engines. These cannot be used in closed spaces or basements as it generates carbon monoxide fumes. If you are not going to saw much you should opt for a hand-held electric saw as it will eliminate any exhaust fume issue. However it is electric, you can’t facilitate water to settle down dust hence you need to cut dry. Preferably you should use any type of saw in open areas instead of a basement or closed ones.

A better option of using a saw in a closed space is using a pneumatic saw. Such saws functions on compressed air can be found in both hand-held and walk-behind saws. Mostly they are used in wet conditions but in both the atmosphere they perform. If you need to cut completely through a poured concrete wall, you may want to use a chain saw.

Types of Saw Blades

There are two major types of saw blades – abrasive and diamond blades. Abrasive blades are mostly used and found to be affordable, in terms of cost, for small projects. The blade’s full diameter is normally 14″, and it reduces in size as it is used for cutting purposes. Finally it may become too small at one time to cut up to the required depth and then it is thrown off and a new blade is put to use.

Diamond blades do not reduce in size over time due to continuous usage. The particles of diamonds are welded on it in the form of segments using laser to a steel hub. The diamonds keep dropping off as it wears out and a fresh row keeps appearing. When the segment finally wears down the blade is required to be replaced. Diamond blades are quite expensive aka abrasive blades but they last a lot longer than abrasive blades. In addition, they are quite longer and hold their depth of cutting better and are best for larger jobs. Diamond blades cut faster and require less concrete to remove and thus less dust is formed.

Saw Cutting Tips

Concrete contracts and expands when it gets cold or hot. Due to this, control joints are cut in the slab at every 10’ or to find a weak spot of the crack. It is advisable to cut 1/5th of the thickness of slabs so usually 4 inch slabs are cut at a depth of 1 inch. The slab will find the weakest point and crack right beneath the control joint and the cracks will not be that visible.

Concrete sawing is a vital aspect of any construction project and it is one of the most strenuous and important tasks that is done in any construction site. Knowledge of types of concrete saws available and the different types of blades matters a lot when you are actively involved in any construction business.