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.