Concrete Cutter

Concrete was invented during the Roman Empire and since then there has been a need to cut it. Concrete is very resistant to cut. Specialised tools are needed to work with concrete. Concrete cutting tools range from hand held and manual tools to large industrial cutters that are made to large scale projects. Concrete cutters are used for controlled drilling, sawing and removal of concrete. It is best performed when done by experiences skilled operators who use heavy machinery like diamond blades.

Unlike olden jack hammers, the new concrete cutters leave the surface with a smooth and attractive finish. The range of concrete cutting tools is huge. There are tools made for different types, sizes and scales of jobs. Small jobs require small but special chisels and punches that have been specifically designed for concrete cutting and shaping. These light hand held concrete cutters are made from tempered high carbon steel. Larger projects require motorized concrete cutters like a large carbon steel punch or a rotating blade. Rotating concrete cutter blades are made from ablative material that is made specifically to shed heat. In most cases the blades wear away after the process. Concrete cutters are used to eliminate unwanted, unneeded or old concrete. Concrete cutters are also used to make holes or cuts in the concrete.

The most common concrete cutters used are core drilling, flat sawing and wall sawing. Core Drilling is the name that is given to the process of drilling round holes through concrete surfaces. Flat sawing or slab sawing is the name that is given to the process that is used to cut horizontal flat concrete surfaces with the help of a diamond blade that is mounted on a machine. Finally wall sawing is the process of making cuts in opening like concrete doors or windows.

Concrete is a hard substance. When the substance it is cut, it would produce debris and particles that would fly away and could also cause injury. Concrete dust can be damaging to lung sinuses and eyes and could also become corrosive and abrasive leading to damage of surface finish. Thus, it is recommended to wear proper protective equipment which includes protective clothing, safety goggles or a face shield, gloves and a helmet. If using a rotating concrete cutter, the debris that flies could be very hot and could melt or ignite clothing. Finally motorized concrete cutters should as a rule never be used without guards. Also these concrete cutters are very heavy and require lot of physical strength. It is best to hire a professional to do a job that requires mechanized concrete cutting tools. 

When doing a simple project like cutting a concrete floor in your house, check out tool rental outlets from where you would be able to rent concrete cutters and diamond blades. The next thing to do is mark the floor with a chalk where cuts are needed. Thirdly open the windows to ensure enough ventilation and clasp the garden hose to the concrete cutter.

Start the engine of the concrete cutter as well as turn on the water so that there is the steady flow of water which would keep the dust away and the blade cool. Make sure you don’t plunge the blade too quickly into the concrete as this could harm the blade and the machine. Plus it would also pose the risk of physical injury. Remember don’t take the water hose off the machine until the engine cool downs. Finally the last step involves taking off the extra cement and cleaning the concrete surface.

Concrete cutters are sharp tools and are require to be in good quality when being used. Plus is required a good supply of cold water and an experienced and strong person operating it.