Concrete cutting is a basic trick in masonry and construction work. You are able to control and prevent cracking on concrete in specific areas, making the concrete both strong and visually appealing.
You will need a strong concrete saw to accomplish this. Taking all of this into consideration, let’s now take a look at how a concrete saw actually works.
First, we’ll discuss the basics and then learn how one goes about getting concrete cut.
How Does A Concrete Saw Work?
A concrete saw applies the strength of sharp rotating blades against a concrete surface to carve a way through it.
Concrete saws are powered either by using gasoline, electricity or batteries as a power source.
They work just like a wood saw except that they need a more powerful, stronger binding to tear through the concrete material.
Concrete saws usually use diamond blades for faster more efficient work. It is like rotating sandpaper only sharper and more powerful. It does not require pressure, unlike a wooden saw.
Concrete saws only need guidance from the user to cut through concrete.
The most important part of the concrete saw is the blade. The blade does most of the work and gets most of the effect of wear and tear.
It is important to handle the saw properly and give the blade the proper care so it can last longer. The most common factors that can lead to excessive blade abrasion and wear are:
- Pressure or pushing the blade too hard when using
- Using a ben spindle when using the concrete saw
- Cutting the concrete at high speed
- Using the wrong kind of blade for the type of concrete
A concrete saw is more effective when you know where to cut. Knowing the right joint spacing is very important because you have to consider concrete shrinkage.
That is why you should consult an engineer or concrete cutting experts on this. These professionals will be able to help you out with the following:
- Forming square patterns
- Continuous saw cuts
- Selecting the right areas that do not have steel reinforcements from one square to another
- Forming larger squares and cutting interior joints for hotter weather conditions.
Remember that it is better to have smaller cracks than spending more money on maintenance and repairs.
Controlling fast-setting concrete cracks in larger areas is important rather than risking expensive repairs and maintenance costs.
For the concrete saw to work properly and the blade to last longer, follow these tips:
- Do not twist the blade when using it.
- Use soft blades with metal segments when cutting concrete with heavy rebar.
- Do not let the blade spin in the cut to lessen blade wear.
Safety Reminders
Safety first! You are far more important than the equipment you are using or the structure you are working on. Always be careful, keep safe and put on your safety gear.
Don’t forget the following:
- Do not use a concrete saw without a blade guard. Keep your fingers and the rest of your limbs safe.
- Anticipate some push and pull, sudden jerks and surprise malfunctions from the equipment.
- Always check if the saw is working properly before using it. Broken or damaged equipment can cause a lot of problems and serious bodily harm.
- Always wear your safety gear! This includes:
- Safety goggles – protect your eyes from harmful dust produced during cutting
- Mask – concrete dust contains silica which if inhaled can cause lung scarring and other serious, irreversible lung damage. Avoid inhaling cement dust by using a face mask that will cover both mouth and nose.
- Gloves – use the proper gloves for cutting concrete to protect your hands.
- Earplugs – cutting concrete can be loud so using earplugs is recommended.
- Steel-toed footwear – when dealing with concrete, your feet are always at risk, even more so when handling both concrete and concrete saw.
- Other Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) – other PPEs that may be required for safety purposes.
A concrete saw can only be as effective as the user handling it. How your equipment works depend on your handling and knowledge of the equipment and the type of concrete you are cutting.
Cutting concrete is not easy. It is a lot of hard work and can be very dangerous if you are not familiar with using a concrete saw or if you do not have much experience.
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.