Concrete Saws

Specialized concrete saws are available for any project

By Patricia DeMunck
When you need to cut concrete, there are a variety of saws available to help you complete the job. Concrete saws can be powered by gas, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical motors. They range from 5 horse power on a small hand-held unit to over 100 horse power on large concrete industrial saws. Cutting depths vary according to the type of application.

Concrete cutting saws are used for joint sawing, floor sawing, wall and column sawing, trenching, road repair, demolition work and plant maintenance. Types of concrete saws are pneumatic chain cutting saws, hand held concrete saws and walk behind saws. To determine the type of concrete saw you need, ask the following questions:

1. What is the maximum depth you'll be cutting?

2. How much horse power is needed for your concrete saw cutting?

3. What is the weight of the concrete saw?

4. What are the concrete saw’s dimensions?

 

Compare prices for hand-held electric concrete saws

Hand-held concrete cut off saws are used when quick, precise cutting is needed, and the size and location of the penetration is small. An ordinary circular saw can be turned into a concrete circular saw by using a special concrete saw blade.
Try: Sunbelt Scaffolding and Supply offers cut off saws that are great for cutting concrete, stone, asphalt and other materials. Construction Complete offers several hand-held cement saw models for many types of cutting applications that feature a maximum cutting depth of 5 inches. Aubuchon Hardware offers a complete line of circular saw blades for masonry applications.

Choose concrete chain saws for concrete sawing applications

Concrete chain saws are designed to cut through walls, floors and columns in a single pass. They can cut straight cuts through concrete up to 14 inches and square cuts through concrete up to 13 inches.
Try: CS Unitec offers a pneumatic concrete chain saw with a powerful 6.5 hp motor that can cut straight cuts through concrete up to 14 inches. Masonry Saws offers a concrete chain saws that can cut twice the depth of an ordinary circular blade concrete cut off saw and weighs only 21 lbs.

Use walk-behind concrete saws for big projects

Walk-behind saws are used in all kinds of demolition applications, in removal of deteriorated sections of concrete slabs and bridges, and in trenching applications for plumbing and electric utilities. A walk-behind unit can saw cut concrete for stairways and elevator openings without causing structural damage to the remaining floor slab.
Try: Northern Tool offers a lightweight walk-behind unit for concrete saw cutting that can be used for both wet and dry applications. Dynatech offers several walk-behind industrial concrete saws for heavy duty applications.

 

  • Concrete saws generate significant friction, which sometimes requires the blades to be cooled to prolong their life and reduce dust. Many concrete saws have built-in water distribution systems that supply water to both sides of the blade.
  • If the cement saw should stall, raise the blade out of the cut before restarting the saw. Be sure the blade is perfectly aligned with the cut before lowering it again.