MegasawConcrete Cutting

How to Cut Straight Using a Circular Saw

Circular saws are powerful and can cut through almost anything. However, cutting in a straight line with them can be tricky, especially when you are making freehand cuts.

Circular saws use abrasion to make cuts and this means it can be tricky to keep the direction of the saw perfectly accurate.

If you want to make a perfectly straight cut through a long piece of concrete (such as a wall, or even just large paving stones), you should not rely on guesswork alone.

The tips below will help you to keep your cuts true and straight.

Use a Guide Line

Instead of guessing, draw a thick guideline with a ruler so that you have something to aim for and to help you keep the cut accurate.

Hold the Saw Properly

If you are cutting an object that is laying flat on the ground, hold the saw with one hand on the handle, and the other on the shoe.

Press your thumb against the tab on the shoe and put your index finger underneath the board you are cutting. The handle of the saw should be facing you, with the blade behind the shoe.

This will ensure that you have good control of the blade and that your fingers are properly protected.

Keep the Saw Lubricated

If you are cutting concrete, you will find that the saw performs much better if it is lubricated properly. Use water to wash away any dust, cool the blade and keep it performing at its best.

If you feel that the saw is starting to ‘chew’ when cutting, consider replacing the blade. A fresh diamond blade will cut more quickly and will be more likely to cut true as well.

For Smaller Cuts, Use a Straight Edge as a Guide

An alternative is to use a straight edge as a guide. This can be a good option if you are just cutting a small block. Use a piece of straight wood as a ‘fence’.

Position the wood so that when you are cutting, the fence acts as a guide and stops the saw from going off course.

The blade will be able to cut the wood that you are using as a guide just as easily as it can cut the concrete, it is not a ‘barrier’, it is simply a guide to help keep the blade on track.

If you use this method, remember that you should push the saw against the straight edge, rather than pulling the saw towards you.

The straight edge is a guide and will keep the saw moving smoothly.

When Cutting to Increasing Depth, Use Dry Cuts

As mentioned earlier, when cutting thick, strong materials you might want to use water to lubricate the blade as you cut. This will allow the blade to move more quickly and smoothly.

If, however, you are making a series of cuts that are increasing in depth each time, use a dry-cutting blade instead.

Gravity is Your Friend

If you ever need to make a cut into a wall, cut down, not up. This will help you a lot because gravity will be on your side, pulling the saw straight down, so you are less likely to end up off-course.

Circular saws are a great time-saving tool. Set your guides up properly to begin with and the saw will do all the work for you.

Make sure that you are using a good blade, and wearing proper safety gear at all times.

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. 

cutting pavers
MegasawPaver Cutting

What Are The Important Guidelines For Cutting Pavers?

Are you planning to install concrete pavers at your home? Do you want to know the best way to cut concrete pavers? If so, you have come to the right place.

Installing paving stones at your home will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property.

Paving stones can improve the look and feel of your pool deck, walkway, driveway or patio when installed the correct way. Pavers are exquisite and long-lasting at the same time.

If you take care of your pavers properly, they will add charm to your property for many years to come.

Your walkway or patio will rarely have perfect dimensions. You may have to make some cuts and adjustments to the concrete paver to get them to fit properly on the walkway, driveway or patio.

Cutting pavers is an ideal job for concrete sawing specialists. There are many things to consider when cutting pavers.

This article provides information on some of the important guidelines for cutting pavers such as the following:

  • Cutting pavers with a saw
  • Cutting pavers with a hammer and chisel
  • Rinsing off pavers using water
  • Hiring a professional to cut Concrete pavers

Cutting Concrete Pavers With A Saw

Most people prefer to cut concrete pavers with a hand held saw. You will also need a workhorse for the project. A workhorse that has adjustable sides is the best for this type of job.

The saw blade should be made either with carbide or diamond-tipped edges. These are the best types of blades to cut through concrete pavers. Start with a light cut when cutting pavers.

Don’t penetrate the entire paver on the first run. You may need to proceed to the second or third cut to finish the project.

Cutting Concrete Pavers With A Hammer And Chisel

This is the old fashioned way of cutting concrete. It’s a simple technique that doesn’t require any power tools. This method requires elbow grease and may take some time.

Make sure you hit the right mark when cutting the paver so that you get a perfect fit. You should also wear protective equipment when cutting the pavers yourself.

Safety goggles are mandatory to protect your eyes during the process.

When it comes to marking your pavers, you need to scratch a line on the paver using a chisel. Hold the chisel against that line and hit the chisel gently with the hammer to mark the paver.

Rinsing Off Pavers Using Water

Cutting pavers will produce concrete dust which is harmful to your health and well-being. The best way to prevent or minimise concrete dust is to rinse off pavers with water.

Make sure you wear all the protective equipment such as eye goggles and face masks to protect yourself from the concrete dust that is produced during the cutting process.

That’s why paver cutting is best left for experienced professionals in the industry. They have the right tools and protective gear to protect themselves when cutting concrete.

Hiring A Professional To Cut Concrete Pavers

The best way to cut concrete pavers is to hire a reliable professional for the job.

When you are involved in a residential or commercial project, a professional contractor can do a much better job of cutting pavers made of concrete effectively.

Concrete cutting is laborious, time-consuming, and dangerous when you don’t have any experience in such work.

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. 

Concrete Cutting Safety Measures
MegasawConcrete Cutting

Essential Safety Measures Taken During Concrete Cutting

Are you practising the correct safety measures when cutting concrete? Concrete cutting can be dangerous so please read below for some safety tips when you’re cutting concrete.

With over $20-billion worth of construction work performed in Australia every month, the demand for concrete cutting has never been stronger than it is today.

Concrete cutting can be harmful to your health when the proper safety measures are not followed. There are many safety measures that you need to take when cutting concrete blocks.

Here are some of the most essential safety measures you should take during concrete cutting.

  • Update to local standards
  • Communicate with your team
  • Personal protection equipment
  • Keep the air clean
  • Check the concrete saw and blade

Update To Local Standards

Local safety standards in Australia are constantly being updated.

You should be aware of the latest safety standards in your locality to provide a safe environment for the concrete workers on your team.

You can’t expect the workers to follow the safety standards in your locality when you are not up to date with the latest regulations yourself.

Check with the local authorities about the latest rules and regulations you need to follow when operating a concrete cutting facility in the area.

If you don’t do this, you may unwittingly get fined for not following the proper safety regulations.

Communicate With Your Team

Communication is crucial to the success of your concrete cutting operation.

You and your team of concrete cutters should be up to date with the latest regulations in the area when performing such an operation.

It doesn’t matter what the size of the job is or whether you’re using a ring saw or other types of saws for the job, you should sit together with your team and explain all the risks of concrete cutting and how these risks can be minimised.

When your team knows how to operate safely, they will follow the proper rules and regulations and be safe at all times.

Proper training is important when it comes to safety issues. You should make sure all the workers in your team are properly trained on the safety measures when cutting concrete.

Personal Protection Equipment

All workers of your concrete cutting project should wear the right personal protection equipment. They should be well protected as part of their job.

You should be protected from head to toe when engaged in a risky vocation like concrete cutting. Sturdy boots and garments are important to protect your body, feet, and arms.

Even if concrete cutting saws have water flowing from the blade to keep the dust away, gloves and goggles will protect your hands and eyes during the cutting process,

You should also avoid using boots with worn-out treads because they can result in slips and falls.

Anyone in the vicinity should also be protected with face shields because chips and shards can be thrown out from the concrete cutting site.

Concrete cutting involves a lot of noise so ear protection equipment is also important to prevent noise pollution.

Keep The Air Clean

Water will be flowing over the blade of the concrete saw to reduce concrete dust. However, some concrete dust and smoke are inevitable when cutting concrete blocks.

Make sure everyone has respiratory equipment to protect themselves from the concrete dust. You need to manage dust to promote lung health and safety.

A wet cut can reduce the amount of dust from the cutting process but if you are using the dry cut method, you should ensure anyone in the vicinity wears masks and respiratory devices to protect themselves from the concrete dust.

Check The Concrete Saw And Blade

Check the concrete saw and blade for safety any time you are working with such tools, especially hand saws. A dull or damaged saw shouldn’t be used for cutting concrete.

Check the power cord and water pump before starting the work.

Use a sharp diamond blade that is the appropriate size for the job to also minimise any further accidents or unnecessary waste of power or equipment.

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. 

Wire Diamond Saws concrete sawing
MegasawConcrete Cutting

What is a Wire Diamond Saw and Why Are They Used?

What is a diamond wire saw? Why would you use one for cutting concrete? Let’s take a look in more detail below.

There are many methods of cutting concrete. Ring saws are popular because they are easy to handle and can cut straight lines with relative ease. However, there are limitations to ring saws.

The diameter of the blade determines how deeply it can cut, and if someone needs to cut concrete that is very thick, or wants to make a curved or angled cut, then an alternative method should be used.

Diamond Wire Cutting for Thicker Materials

Diamond wire cutting uses a wire that has been treated with diamond dust to cut through heavy materials.

Diamonds are incredibly strong, and this method of cutting can work on almost anything that is softer than the abrasive surfaces of the diamond.

Diamond wire cutting is very practical, simple, and inexpensive.

Thin diamond wire, intended for general use on materials that are not difficult to cut is so inexpensive especially when the cost is measured in cents per foot or metre.

The wire that is used to cut concrete is slightly more expensive to make because it must be thicker and requires more diamonds to produce.

However, it is still an affordable way of cutting concrete when compared to many alternatives.

Why Use Diamond Wire Saws?

The cost is not the only attractive property of diamond wire saws. They are also a popular choice because they tend to produce less waste and dust than solid blades.

Diamond wire saws require water to cool the cut, as a lubricant, and to wash away any debris, but they produce less waste overall than cutting with a traditional blade. They produce a rapid, clean cut.

The Downsides of Wire Cutting

There are some downsides to using wire diamond saws, however. These blades are fragile and can jam, snap or tangle when they are worn down.

The wire is inexpensive, so replacing broken wires is not too much of an issue, but a broken wire can be a safety concern.

When a solid blade becomes worn it simply cuts less effectively or jams. A wire blade can also whip out, potentially injuring the operator.

A reel of diamond wire tends to have a usable life span of six ‘cuts’ where the spool cycles from one end to the other.

After that, it is likely that the abrasiveness will be too worn down to be useful, and will be at much greater risk of snapping.

Choosing the Right Tool for the Job

Given the above information, it’s clear that diamond wire saws are useful for specific applications, but they are not the ideal multi-purpose cutting tool that they may first seem.

A handheld ring saw is an easy to use tool that is comparatively low-risk to operate and that might be better suited for a lot of jobs.

Wire diamond saws, by comparison, are less portable since they require large spools of wire, and there is more that can go wrong with them in operation.

Wire diamond saws do have a clear use for situations where a ring saw or chainsaw is not able to cut deeply enough.

They also have a level of versatility in that changing the wire allows you to cut different grades and densities of materials. This means that they are a great choice for large construction jobs.

If you are considering using a wire diamond saw, make sure that you select the right wire, and that you follow the safety directions to the letter.

You need to replace the wire when cutting starts to slow down because worn or damaged wires can present a huge risk to the safety of the operator and others who are in the vicinity when the saw is in use.

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. 

Hydraulic ring saws concrete sawing
MegasawConcrete Cutting

Hydraulic Handheld Ring Saws – Dos and Don’ts

Are you looking to have some concrete cut? Hydraulic ring saws are an essential tool as part of the process. Let’s take a look at do’s and don’ts of using hydraulic ring saws in more detail below.

Hydraulic ring saws are powerful tools that can make short work of almost any cutting job, even cutting concrete. Like any power tool, however, they must be handled with respect.

A short lapse of attention, or a few moments of laziness, and you could lose an eye or a finger.

Staying Safe When Using a Ring Saw

DO: Wear appropriate safety equipment. Safety glasses, robust footwear, a face mask and gloves should be a part of your day-to-day safety kit when cutting concrete on the job.

Even if you’re wet cutting, wearing a mask will help to protect your lungs from any dust that gets kicked up.

The long-term impact of inhaling concrete dust is unclear, but it is known that inhaling large amounts of dust can injure the lungs, causing fibrous scar tissue to form, which can lead to a condition called fibrosis.

DON’T: Use a handheld hydraulic wind saw in bad weather. Heavy rain can lead to slippery surfaces, strong winds can make it difficult to control the saw.

Bad weather, in general, can make it difficult to concentrate and may lead to unsafe operation of the saw.

DO: Check the blade before operating the saw, and replace it if necessary.

DON’T: Operate any form of hydraulic or power tool while tired, intoxicated, or taking medication which could cause drowsiness.

DO: Ensure that you are wearing appropriately fitting clothing (no baggy sleeves or loose garments) and that any loose jewellery has been removed.

If you have long hair, ensure that it is tied back and suitably contained so that there is no risk of anything catching the saw blade while it is rotating.

DON’T: Attempt to use a handheld saw as if it were a fixed tool. If you need to cut a small item, use an appropriate tool for that job.

DO: Turn off the tool when it is not in use, and make sure that the safety/guard is in place if you are going to leave the tool unattended.

DON’T: Touch the tool immediately after you have been cutting with it. The blades of ring saws cut through abrasion and can get very hot. Always allow them to cool down before moving them.

DO: Make sure that the area around you is free from obstruction and that there are no children or pets nearby before you start cutting.

In addition, make sure that there are no loose items nearby that could cause distraction or obstruction, and that you have a stable foothold.

DON’T: Operate a ring saw in an area where you would be unable to summon help in an emergency. Ideally, there should be others with you when you are working.

DO: Take regular breaks. Operating this kind of machine can lead to nerve or circulation damage in the fingers/hands.

If you start experiencing tingling, prickling or altered sensation in the extremities, stop using the saw immediately.

The risk of nerve and circulation damage increases at colder temperatures, so more frequent breaks may be necessary during cold weather.

Putting Safety First

Modern hydraulic ring saws are incredibly powerful and can make short work of things that would have previously been challenging to cut. With the right blades, they can be a joy to use.

You and others on your site should get regular safety training to ensure that the machines are operated safely.

Whenever you are handling powerful equipment, whether it’s a hydraulic handheld ring saw, a drill, sander, or something else entirely you should always wear appropriate safety equipment.

Follow the manufacturer’s directions for using the tool to the letter and never cut corners.

A few extra moments doing things right today could save you from some expensive mistakes or a trip to the emergency room!

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. 

MegasawConcrete Cutting

Can Hydraulic Ring Saws Cut Any Type of Concrete?

Did you know that there are many different kinds of concrete and that each type has its own purpose in construction jobs?

There are more than 20 different varieties of concrete, each with different levels of strength, pouring method, and weighting of ingredients or additives to make it suitable for use in a given environment.

Let’s take a look at this in more detail below.

What are the Most Commonly Used Types of Concrete?

The most simple form of concrete is simply a mixture of cement, water, and aggregate.

This mixture gives us ‘normal strength’ concrete which sets within 30 to 90 minutes, and has a strength of 10 to 40Pa. That type of concrete is ideal for making pavements or flooring.

It is strong when compressed under a load, but it is weak in tension. This kind of concrete is usually easy to cut.

Reinforced concrete is made to a similar formula, but has tension bars in it to help it handle bigger loads. In more modern concrete recipes, fibres are added to improve strength as well.

Some concrete is re-stressed, which helps to strengthen it before it is put under load in the real world.

For very heavy loads, there are high-density concrete options which use much heavier aggregates.

There are also high-performance recipes, and recipes which use vacuum pumps to reduce the water content of the recipe, as well as concrete which uses other substances such as glass or asphalt as a part of their aggregates.

How is Concrete Cut?

Hydraulic ring sawing is often used to cut concrete. These saws are ideal for cutting large concrete slabs, and for cutting into walls or other fixed items.

Hydraulic ring saws are handheld and use diamond blades which cut via abrasion. This makes them very good for cutting even when the concrete is quite dense and solid.

Can Hydraulic Ring Saws Cut Any Type of Concrete?

Hydraulic ring saws can cut most types of concrete, even reinforced concrete. The blades that are used for these saws are good for plunge cutting and work best for very dense and hard materials.

Note, however, that the best type of saw to use is one that is water-cooled, as this prevents dust from being kicked up and also to stop the blade from glazing over with dust and metal (from the bond used to hold the diamond segments in place).

If the blade is allowed to overheat then it will start to smooth over and become less effective at cutting.

What are the Limitations of Hydraulic Ring Saws

The main limitation of a hydraulic ring saw is that it is limited in terms of how deep it can cut, based on the diameter of the blade.

The size of the blade is limited because large blades are difficult to handle.

Hydraulic ring saws are good for making straight cuts in smaller, awkward to reach places, but they are not always the ideal tool for the job.

Cutting concrete takes experience because it can be tricky. It is hard to produce clean cuts into thinner slabs without them cracking and breaking, and it is hard to cut thicker concrete too.

Chainsaws are good for deep cuts, as long as the vibration action of the saw will not be an issue. Hydraulic saws are versatile and are suitable for most concrete cutting applications.

If you are not sure what blade to choose, or whether a hydraulic handheld ring saw is suitable for your project, then be sure to seek expert advice so that you do not cause irreparable damage to the wall or slabs.

With the right tools, your construction or renovation project should be a breeze.

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. 

MegasawUncategorized

A Brief Introduction to Concrete Sawing

Are you interested in learning about successful concrete sawing techniques? Let’s start by looking at the two basic saw types ideal for concrete sawing:

  • Handheld saws
  • Walk behind saws

Difference between Handheld and Walk Behind Saws

Handheld saws as the name implies are handheld tools, which are relatively easy to use. A good handheld saw should be lightweight, portable and flexible.

You can use them for cutting wall openings or for small surface jobs, such as, access to holes, or curbing. Proper access to holes allows you to place posts in existing slabs.

Walk behind saws, on the other hand, are much larger than handheld saws. To use them, you have to walk with them. With this kind of saw, you have to remain standing throughout the sawing process.

Walk behind saws also pack more horsepower. Their cutting rate is also considerably faster than the handheld varieties.

The size, weight and power of walk behind saws combine to allow greater force during the cutting process.

However, due to their size, walk behind saws require more room for maneuvering. For cutting of short runs however, handheld saws are a better option. The single side blade mounting in walk behind saws allows close wall cuts.

Gasoline powered concrete saws emit harmful fumes, making them unsuitable for confined spaces such as basements. In cases where high windows are present in the project space, even the presence of a fan will not be of any help.

However, in garage areas, and factories with ventilation at floor level, the use of fans seems a practical choice for controlling exhaust fumes.

With electric hand held saws, however, the need for proper exhaust isn’t so critical because no fumes are emitted.

Due to being electric powered, these saws only lend themselves to dry cutting. This, however, poses hazards related to dust that emanate from the cutting process. You will not be able to use it in the basement.

The best saw for enclosed spaces is however, the pneumatic saw. These utilize compressed air for operation and can be of walk behind or handheld varieties.

In addition, these also offer flexibility of use for dry or wet cutting, leading to better dust control. Rental costs of pneumatic saws are high because of the need for a large portable air compressor.

The unit itself sits outdoors with a big hose reaching the places you require for proper cutting. Chain saws are your best choice when you want to make a small cut into a wall.

Pneumatic powered chain saws, equipped with diamond chain for concrete cutting are also available. These are so powerful they’re able to cut through a 15-inch wall effortlessly in one pass.

Saw Blades

Concrete cutting involves grinding using blades designed for the purpose. Eventually, the blade will wear out during the grinding process.

One of the most cost efficient options for such projects is of course the aggressive blades and these are ideal for short jobs. One can use it until it completely wears down.

Diamond blades have the ability to resist wear and tear, making them a popular choice for cutting and grinding jobs. These remain laser welded to segments with steel hub.

As they wear with use, they will drop off within the cut, allowing a new row to emerge to take its place.

Compared to the abrasive variety of blades the diamond ones are quite expensive and for good reasons too. They signify enhanced durability, resistibility, and faster cutting besides a host of other benefits, which makes the extra expenses easier to bear.

The narrow swath related to these blades signifies a narrower cut with less dust emanating from the process.

Hints for Optimizing Cutting Results

When cutting concrete, how deep you want to go is an extremely important consideration. In most cases, these cuts are mostly 2 to 4 inches deep.

As a result, the cement considerably weakens; leaving the smooth joints on surface visible. After this, you can break off the concrete pieces easily using an air hammer or an electrical breaker.

Asphalt Cutting

It is important to remember that asphalt saws are different from those intended for cutting concrete. Asphalt saw blades are usually more aggressive yet softer than concrete blades and yield to both dry and wet cutting methods.

Aggressive blades are the best for short jobs. General blades work well with asphalt over concrete, but you require extra care when cutting asphalt over gravel.

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