How to Choose the Right Type of Concrete Saw
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Finding the right concrete cutting tool for your project can often be challenging since so many different types of concrete saws are available.
Every type of concrete cutting tool has a unique application best suited for a particular job. By understanding the various features of the different concrete saws available and their applications, you can select the best tool to give you a successful, unsurpassed cutting experience.
As the name implies, concrete saws are used for cutting concrete and making the process less labor-intensive and easier. You can get the precise cuts you need by using powerful concrete saws for cutting jobs and construction applications.
Let’s look at what concrete saws are used for and how to choose a concrete saw for the job.
What Is a Concrete Saw?A concrete cutting saw, also known as a road saw or consaw, is a powerful tool used to cut solid materials like concrete, brick, asphalt and tiles.
These powerful saws are different from regular saws and are available for various types of sawing techniques. More powerful than conventional saws, concrete saws are essential for the construction industry. These saws provide a precise and safe application when cutting through hard materials.
Concrete saw blades are usually diamond-tipped to cut through tough materials easily. Diamond blades offer two methods of sawing concrete:
The main difference between a concrete saw and a standard saw is the depth of cut and the blade-to-workpiece movement. A concrete saw provides a higher maximum depth of cut that enables it to cut through thick materials like stones, bricks and granite slabs. In comparison, regular saws provide a lower cutting depth.
Types of Concrete Cutting SawsConcrete saws are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Some of the most popular types of saws include chainsaws, walk-behind saws, handheld circular saws and hydraulic wall saws.
When you’re on the hunt to find a concrete saw for the job, picking the right one is essential. Take a look at each type of concrete saw and the specific cutting jobs they are used for.
Chainsaws are handheld saws used to make deep, tight cuts larger than 5 inches. One of the key benefits of their compact design is that they can cut sharp angles and square corners, which makes them handy for working with small areas.
Chainsaws are ideal for cutting walls, floors, brick and concrete, thanks to their oblong blade with a diamond chain.
Walk-behind saws are also known as floor saws, joint cutters and concrete cutters. These saws differ from other saws in the way they are handled and because they are much larger and heavier than other saws. Walk-behind saws are sturdy and essential tools for building contractors. Moreover, these saws have a much higher horsepower for cutting concrete.
One of the benefits of walk-behind sawing is the flexibility of cutting any awkward sizes and shapes in hard concrete while leaving the remaining concrete surface undisturbed. They are ideal for cutting highways and roads, concrete driveways and sidewalks.
A circular saw is a powerful tool that can make many different cuts. These saws are often used to cut large pieces of brick, metal, wood and concrete. This type of saw is one of the most commonly used saws today, extensively used in DIY home improvement and professional construction projects.
A circular saw uses a round blade to cut hard materials. It can be mounted on a table or machine or simply held by hand.
Wall sawing is the method of cutting vertical concrete structures. Also referred to as concrete track saws, wall saws are often used to cut apertures in concrete structures to install windows or doors.
These saws run on hydraulic or electric power and allow for precise cuts in concrete and other solid materials. These saws employ high-quality diamond blades on a track-mounted system to achieve the lowest possible friction when cutting a horizontal or vertical structure.
Considerations for Buying a Concrete SawConcrete cutting saws are one of the top must-have tools in the construction industry. Whether you’re cutting concrete, bricks, tiles or any other hard materials, having a concrete saw with a diamond blade should be at the top of your list.
Before buying a concrete saw, consider these key factors:
The first step to purchasing a concrete saw is setting a budget. You can expect to pay a few hundred to thousands of dollars for one of these impressive, powerful tools. The kind and size of the saw are the most significant factors in the cost.
The type of job you have will determine the kind of saw you need. If you require a straight-line cut, you may want a concrete saw with a built-in guide. If you need to make a deep cut, you’ll want a saw that has big blades.
When you’re deciding on the appropriate concrete saw, you should also consider the type of blade you’ll need. Do you need a diamond-tipped blade or a corundum masonry blade?
Diamond blades are ideal for making long and deep cuts and can be used for both wet and dry sawing. These blades consist of diamond segments on the cutting teeth and a steel core, so they can cut concrete more efficiently.
Corundum masonry blades are best used for making short and shallow cuts about an inch deep. These blades, unlike diamond blades, wear out quickly and need to be replaced more frequently.
Before purchasing a concrete saw, you should take into account the convenience of having it and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Ask yourself the following questions:
To ensure you and your employees are safe on the job, you need to choose a concrete saw that comes with safety features such as dust filters, voltage protection and guards.
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Why Choose RGC Concrete Cutting SawsRGC Construction is a concrete cutting equipment provider with over 75 years of expertise. We offer many tools to make those challenging high-power operations easier.
When it comes to concrete cutting, RGC has the required equipment for the job. We provide an array of different powerful concrete cutting tools. Choose from a variety of power tools and accessories, including:
Are you ready to get your concrete saw? At RGC Construction, we provide a wide selection of saws for cutting through hard materials, whether it is vertical walls or horizontal floors.
Choose from our selection of heavy-duty walk-behinds, circular saws, chainsaws and wall saws to help your project run smoothly and efficiently.
Learn more about our concrete cutting saws by browsing our inventory online to find your concrete saw today. Contact us with any questions or for information on concrete cutting equipment.
Cut-off machines and diamond chainsaws are the two most common concrete cutting tools, and their uses overlap quite a bit, but they are not interchangeable. By understanding the differences between these two types of equipment, you can make the right choice for your next job.
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the industry standardThe go-to choice for most concrete cutting jobs, cut-off machines are hand-held saws used to cut concrete, asphalt and metal. They use either a composite resin abrasive wheel or diamond blade to cut in various construction applications. Typically available in 12- or 14-inch sizes, cut-off machines can be powered by a two-stroke gas engine, a hydraulic power unit, an air compressor or an electric motor.
The choice of power source depends on the application. According to Tom Carroll at CS Unitec, electric saws are popular with some operators because they're lightweight, less noisy and simpler to use than other types of cut-off machines. They aren't as powerful, however, and can take longer to complete a job.
"An electric cutter is preferred in enclosed environments," notes Kevin Axt at Hilti. "In cases like those, it's less about performance and more about what's needed in that particular situation."
Hydraulic saws, on the other hand, have the highest power to weight ratio. They're convenient because most contractors have a hydraulic power unit on hand, but they're more expensive and less forgiving than a pneumatic saw, for example.
"They can build up pressure in the hydraulic line," Carroll notes, which can result in difficult handling. "Also, a leak in a hydraulic line can be dangerous and expensive."
Pneumatic saws are also convenient, since air compressors are ubiquitous on jobsites. Operation is simple and has fewer potential hazards, Carroll says. "If the blade stalls, you just release the air pressure," he says, adding there's also no risk of fluid leaks. Pneumatic saws are lightweight and simple to maintain as well.
Axt at Hilti points out that pneumatic saws can be more expensive to use, however, due to the need for a compressor and the diesel fuel to power it.
Most popular among the various types of cut-off machines are gas-powered units. These tools offer the advantages of portability and familiarity, but they do require more maintenance.
Besides power requirements and maintenance, there's also the question of weight versus performance. Operators appreciate a lighter saw because they're easier to use, but there is a trade-off. "It depends on what the operator really wants," says Axt. "If the saw is lighter, it will cut shallow with more passes, so it might take longer. A heavier saw, on the other hand, will cut deeper and faster but is heavier, which can make it harder to handle for some operators."
He continues, "For some, time is money. Others prefer to save wear and tear on the operator."
There are several things operators should be aware of when using a cut-off machine. "The end-user should read, understand and follow the directions and warnings in the instruction manual," says Steve Parmentier, manager of strategic accounts at Stihl Inc. He notes end-users should also have all the appropriate personal protective equipment as outlined in the instruction manual.
A diamond chainsaw is a tool designed like a wood-cutting chainsaw with a power head, guidebar and chain, which is driven by a sprocket from the power head around the guidebar, explains Bill Bray, vice president of sales and marketing at ICS, Blount Inc. As its name suggests, the chain on a diamond chainsaw incorporates diamond segments that are laser welded to the chain in place of the cutting teeth typical with a wood saw. The diamond segments, like on a traditional circular diamond blade, essentially create a grinding action that wears away the concrete, brick or other aggregate material. This grinding action creates a very safe cutting operation with none of the kickback that is associated with a wood chain.
Diamond chainsaws offer several advantages over the circular-blade cut-off machines, says Bray. "The chainsaw is designed to actually plunge nose first into the material and has the ability to cut more than twice as deep as a 14-inch circular blade. The smallest ICS gas saw allows a full 10-inch deep cut, and depending on the saw model, there are gas saws that can cut a full 16-inch depth," Bray says.
A gas saw with a 12-inch depth of cut is the most common on jobsites. There are hydraulic diamond chainsaws that can cut to a 25-inch depth. A 14-inch circular blade on a cut-off saw is designed for a maximum depth of slightly less than five inches.
"Because a diamond chainsaw uses a guidebar with a long narrow flat surface, the saw can provide a deeper cut with no overcut, allowing the operator to make square corners. This is not possible with a circular blade," Bray says. "Diamond chainsaws not only cut deeper with no overcuts but they can be used to make openings as small as 4 inches by 4 inches, the cutting depth of the bar. They are also useful in creating odd-shaped cuts in material."
When selecting a diamond chainsaw, the most important thing is to consider whether you need to cut openings deeper than five inches. "If the answer is yes, then a diamond chainsaw is the right tool," says Bray. "Most begin with a gas-driven two-cycle engine, as it offers portability and a lower initial investment." ICS recommends at least an 80cc engine which can use either a 12- or 14-inch cutting-depth guidebar.
If you have significant cutting needs, you might want to consider a hydraulic or pneumatic diamond chainsaw, which have more power and can utilize guidebars for openings up to 25 inches.
"There's a higher power to weight ratio with hydraulic and pneumatic diamond chainsaws," explains Carroll at CS Unitec. "If you're cutting hard concrete with steel reinforcement, you'll get much higher performance from pneumatic or hydraulic saws."
Whenever you are cutting concrete, you need to be concerned with dust control. In 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a final rule on silica dust exposure, which reduced the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of respirable crystalline silica on jobsites. The new limit is 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an 8-hours sift. The previous limit was 250 micrograms.
Read next: Breathe Safe When Cutting Concrete
Contractors cutting concrete are required to use engineering controls, such as water or ventilation, to limit worker exposure to silica dust. Respirators must be provided if engineering controls cannot adequately limit exposure.
When cutting concrete, wet cutting is recommended to help control dust. The water binds the dust and reduces the amount of airborne dust created while cutting the concrete. Another option is a dust collection system.
Ready next: Wetter is Better to Control Concrete Dust
Dust control methods should be used when cutting concrete not just because it is required by OSHA but because it keeps workers safe and healthy. As you're choosing the right saw for your concrete cutting job, make sure you are also putting dust control systems in place as well.
*This article was originally published in 2012 and updated in 2019.
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