Using a concrete saw is challenging in itself. However, making perfect cuts with them can be even more intimidating. Don’t worry; we’re here to help!
You don’t need to be an expert to use a concrete saw, but you do need skills and experience. Creating great cuts in concrete is a task even professionals struggle with once in a while. It is impossible to revert it to its original state once you have mistakenly made a wrong cut.
If you can relate to these struggles, just know that you are not alone. In this guide, we will give you some fantastic tips that can help you with the perfect concrete cutting.
So if you’re ready, let’s begin!
Tips To Make Perfect Concrete Saw Cuts
1. Find The Right Concrete Saw
As you may already know, different concrete cutting jobs require different saws. The options are plentiful – from circular saws to wall saws, hand-held to walk-behind saws. That being said, each saw has a specific utility and purpose.
For cutting concrete, you can consider both wet and dry saws. For example, a walk-behind saw may be the ideal option for large concrete cuts on a floor. Being a wet saw, it keeps the dust down and prevents overheating of the large blades.
2. Timing Is Key
When it comes to making perfect cuts on concrete, timing is everything. If you try and cut wet concrete, you may notice the result to be slurry, messy, and not ideal. However, if you wait too long and cut concrete when it is dry and hard, you will be left with dust flying everywhere and likely end up with fractured cuts.
The ideal time to cut concrete for perfect angles is to wait until it is half-cured but dry. This ensures that every cut is smooth without the annoyance of dust flying about.
3. The Right Blade Choice
Finding the right saw is not enough; you also need to find the best blade to cut concrete. Most professionals prefer using a diamond saw blade for cutting concrete smoothly. Not only is this blade type extremely sharp and precise, but its exposed synthetic diamond crystals do most of the work.
The dull, worn out diamonds naturally fall off when they are not sharp enough to cut concrete anymore. This gives way to new, sharp diamonds that are naturally exposed once the old ones go away.
The best part is, you can choose to apply or not apply water to a diamond blade, according to your work type and preference.
4. Using A GFCI Extension Cord
If you have opted for an electric saw, it is imperative that you use a GFCI extension cord along with it. Of course, you don’t need to worry about this detail if you’re using gas-powered concrete saws.
A GFCI extension cord is essential as it protects the saw against sudden overload, shock, or power surges.
5. Safety When Dealing With Dust
Although this following tip may not be obvious to many, it is vital to deal with dust appropriately. This is especially the case when using a dry saw.
More often than not, you will have dust flying around wildly. This can block your vision and compromise the angle of your cuts. Not to mention, it is hazardous if you continuously breathe the dust in.
Most of the flying dust is taken care of in the case of wet saws. That being said, it is best to use a dust extractor so that flying dust does not come in the way of your work and compromise it.
6. Marking The Cuts
When trying to achieve perfect concrete cuts, it is never a good idea to ‘wing it.’ Even the best of professionals can make minor mistakes while doing this. Unfortunately, these minor mistakes can become significant and noticeable when the project is complete.
It is best to mark your cuts clearly before you begin cutting concrete. Instead of regular white chalk, consider using some other bright colour that can be seen easily from a distance. Furthermore, if you are wary about using chalk with a wet saw as the lines may wash away, consider using a crayon instead.
7. Use A Guide Board
You may have handled a concrete saw hundreds of times; however, it never hurts to use a guide board. If you want to achieve perfectly angled cuts every time, it is best to maintain a firm grip on the saw using both hands at all times. Then, maintain even pressure and guide the saw along the chalk line with the help of a guide board.
8. Shallow Vs. Deep Cuts
Making shallow cuts to achieve a uniform, straight angled cut may sound counterintuitive. However, it is the best way to achieve straight concrete cuts.
When using a concrete saw, we recommend making several shallow cuts while increasing the blade depth slowly by ½ inch increments. Furthermore, shallow cuts offer more control over the saw as opposed to long, deep cuts.
9. Don’t Allow The Blade To Overheat
There are several reasons why your blade may be overheating. You may be forcing the blade too much or may have increased its RPM. Whatever the reason may be, ensure that the blade does not overheat, as it will compromise the integrity of the cuts.
Let’s Get That Perfect Cut!
Concrete is known for its firm, robust, and hard texture. However, cutting it doesn’t have to be complicated or challenging.
We hope these tips help you achieve the perfect concrete saw cuts. Ensure that you research well and choose the right saw and blade before beginning. More importantly, maintain your safety as the priority. Always have your tools ready and wear protective gear including gloves, masks, and eye gear while working with concrete and saws.
Well, that’s it for now. Contact us if you have any questions or doubts, and we will address them at the earliest.
Until then, stay safe!
