Concrete saw: purpose, characteristics, varieties

Cutting reinforced concrete with diamond circles, for which a circular electric saw is used, is the most effective way of treating concrete structures of this kind, but it is not always available and applicable. In conditions of difficult access or lack of power supply, a chainsaw for concrete can be used for cutting stone, and we want to talk about it in more detail.

Saw for cutting concrete

Device and purpose

The manual saw for cutting concrete makes it possible to significantly facilitate the processing of reinforced concrete, stone, composite, brick and monolithic structures during various construction works. As a rule, wall saws with diamond discs are used for cutting reinforced concrete, but their use is not always available.

The fact is that the weight and dimensions of such machines are large enough, and therefore they cannot be used in hard-to-reach places, confined spaces, during high-altitude work in industrial mountaineering and other similar areas. Hand-held circular saws do not allow cutting to a sufficient depth.

Therefore, in the production of works with the use of stenorez and other heavy machinery always use hand chainsaws. The saber design of the cutting headset allows you to work at a sufficient depth of cut - 30–40 cm, in addition, it allows the front entry of the saw and cut with a turn of 90 degrees, which is important when building openings and niches.

The main cutting tool of the device is a diamond chain stretched over a special tire that drives and guides the chain. Chain for chainsaws on concrete has special soldering in the form of diamond-coated segments, which makes it more durable and efficient.

The tire with the chain is detached from the saw like a headset, which simplifies the maintenance and repair of the tool.

The device has a power unit - gasoline or electric engine.

The gasoline unit, as a rule, has a push-pull principle of operation and protection from moisture and dust. The torque is transmitted to the chain by means of a clutch or gearbox, most often on modern tools an automatic centrifugal clutch is installed, which allows you to immobilize the chain at idle speed or stop it during jamming and other emergency conditions.

The tire of the cutter for stone differs from the tire of a conventional chainsaw on wood. It is arranged more difficult due to the channels through which water flows to the circuit. Water is needed to cool the cutting tape and remove concrete-sand sludge and chips, without which the chain will not be able to work for a long time.

If the tool is equipped with an electric motor, it is usually a single-phase brush unit with alternating current of 50 Hz and 230 V. The power of the electric motor can be from 1 to 3 kW, sometimes more powerful machines are also found. Particular attention is paid to the design of electric saws to protect the engine from water and dust.

  Note! Manual saber saws for concrete are used for cutting concrete, stone, brick or asphalt in hard-to-reach places in the construction and dismantling works. It is also advisable to use them with small volumes and sizes of structures.

Application area

Electric saws and gas cutters for concrete can be used for cutting such materials:

• Cellular concrete, including foam concrete, aerated concrete, gas silicate, foam concrete and the like;
• Lightweight concrete, including keramsit concrete, pumice concrete, perlitobeton, polystyrene concrete, wood concrete, cosmet concrete and the like;
• Dense and heavy concretes on portland cement, asphalt, slag cement, polymer binder and other types of binder. Heavy concretes can be cut with weak reinforcement;
• Silicate and ceramic bricks, clinker, building blocks of foamed concrete and other materials;
• A natural stone;
• Porcelain and other types of artificial stone;
• Gypsum, drywall, chalk, limestone;
• Various composite and complex building materials made from solid substances.

 Most often such saws are used in the following areas:

1. Demolition work on the demolition of walls, partitions, ceilings, columns, diaphragms, crossbars and other elements of enclosing and supporting building structures;
2. Works on the redevelopment of apartments;
3. The construction of additional window or door openings in the walls, as well as the adjustment of existing during major repairs;
4. Debugging of corners after work of disk cars;
5. Cutting niches, holes and openings;
6. Laying gates and cutting niches for podozetnikov, laying of various channels and communications, as well as ventilation openings and channels;
7. Cutting of building materials, such as concrete blocks, concrete products and stone, brick, foam concrete and others.

 Note! The presence of large valves can be a serious hindrance and require the work of a gas or disk cutter. Instructions for the instrument should indicate the limits of applicability of the device.

Since working with the tool is done by hand, it is important to remember about safety and means of protection - gloves, glasses and a helmet. Although the device is relatively safe, the cost of neglecting these rules may be too high.

Conclusion

Chainsaws for concrete allow you to replace the cutting discs, and sometimes diamond drilling holes in the concrete. These units are more convenient, easier and allow you to work in hard-to-reach places. Can be used as a standalone tool or as an addition to wall saws (learn here how concrete insulation is performed).

More visual information - see the video in this article.