What is a concrete saw? A concrete saw is simply a special power tool that’s used to cut through concrete slabs, walls and other solid structures like masonry, brick and asphalt.
A concrete saw can also be referred to as a con-saw, asphalt saw, cut-off saw, quick-cut saw or a slab saw. Currently, there are many different variations of concrete saws you can find on the market.
They range from small hand-held concrete saws used in small-scale building projects to large pushable concrete saws used in big construction projects.
Concrete saws can also be categorised according to their shape, style, design and functionality. It’s important to learn all you can about concrete saws before making a decision to buy one or even hire one.
What Powers A Concrete Saw
As mentioned above, a concrete saw is a power tool, which means that it relies on some form of power source to function.
Most concrete saws are powered by either gasoline, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic or electric motor engines.
The respective engine powers the saw which in turn rotates a special blade that cuts the concrete. There is a special type of blade used to cut concrete known as a diamond blade.
A diamond blade is suitable for cutting concrete as it is very strong and is capable of cutting through steel bars. It is common for concrete blocks used in construction to be reinforced with steel bars.
For this reason, a strong and durable blade must be used to cut through reinforced concrete or concrete with rebar.
Friction During Cutting
As you can expect, there is a lot of friction that’s produced when cutting through concrete.
This friction force can make cutting very difficult and that’s why most concrete saws need to be lubricated during the cutting process.
Failure to cool and lubricate a saw and it’s blade during occurring can lead to excess production of heat, rapid wear and tear of the blade, unnecessary cracking of the concrete block, and damage to the saw itself.
Cooling and lubrication are therefore an essential part of any concrete cutting process.
Choices of Blade
There are many different types of diamond blades you can use with your concrete saw.
Depending on the construction project you are working on, you may choose a blade based on features such as diameter, saw size, arbour size, blade quality and many others.
There are other factors you should also consider when choosing a diamond blade for your saw.
Dry Cutting or Wet Cutting
As already mentioned, most concrete saws need to be constantly cooled and lubricated during cutting in order to maximise efficiency.
However, there are cases where lubrication may not be necessary such as when a person is making small or shallow cuts on concrete blocks.
This form of cutting where no lubrication is needed is known as dry cutting. Both wet and dry cutting techniques can affect the choice of blade you choose for your saw.
Therefore, you should determine what type of cutting you will be doing before choosing a blade.
Blade Compatibility With Saw and Material
Some diamond blades are only compatible with certain brands and types of concrete saws.
It’s important to establish which range and type of diamond blades your concrete saw is compatible with before making a purchase.
Also, the blade you choose should be compatible with the material you are cutting. A concrete saw can be used to cut through different types of solid structures like concrete and asphalt.
You should ensure that the features of the blade you choose match those of the material you intend to cut.
Lastly, working with a concrete saw may expose you to numerous safety risks and hazards. It’s important to talk to a trained professional before using a concrete saw.
It’s also important to follow all safety information provided by the saw manufacturer for a smooth cutting 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.