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/