What You Need to Know About Concrete Handsaws

Different types of concrete handsaws can be used to complete your concrete cutting jobs. The right type must be used to complete your job to the highest standard so that you are not dissatisfied with the finished result.

At Cutting In, we are expert concrete cutters in Sydney  and can help you with all your concrete cutting jobs.

Types of concrete handsaws

There are two different types of concrete handsaws that can be used for different jobs. When completing your job, you need to know which handsaw to use to get the desired result.

The two types are ripsaws and crosscut saws.

What is the difference between these handsaws?

A rip saw is designed to cut through some of the toughest surfaces like granite and concrete. The rip saws teeth alternate from right to left, gradually knocking out the concrete. You must use force to push the rip saw into the concrete for it to be cut and, when done properly and with skill, it can leave you with a clean cut.

A crosscut saw’s teeth smaller than a rip saw and are angled backwards and bevelled.  They can be used when you need to make a smaller or a more precise cut into concrete than you could get with a rip saw. Unlike a rip saw, you do not have to just put force into the concrete, but you can use more of a push and pull method, which can make the job easier.

It is essential to understand the different types of handsaws before embarking upon your job so that you choose the right one.

Before you begin
Once you know which type of handsaw to use, you need to complete safety checks to ensure the saw is safe to use and will work well.

•  Check the teeth on your handsaw are straight. Make sure there are no bent teeth and that the blade itself is straight.

• Check the teeth are not blunt. You need the teeth to be sharp to complete your job well. Touch the blades gently to see that they are sharp but use caution to ensure that you do not cut yourself.

•  Check over the rest of the handsaw, including the crown and tension.
When cutting

Make sure you have control over the handsaw; first, draw a line and then carefully hold the concrete as a guide and make some small notches, so you know where to cut.
Also, check the angle of the saw is always at 45° and keep your elbows in while cutting.

Use experts where necessary

Using a handsaw takes a lot of skill. Cutting In can complete your concrete hand sawing in Sydney for you using our skill and expertise. Call us today.

Why Construction Projects Need Core Drilling

Construction projects need a variety of experts on hand for different stages of the job. Concrete drilling is no exception, and when you come to choose a company that can complete this precise, skilled job, you will want someone who has the right knowledge and skill to do the job well. Cutting In are proud to be experts in this field, providing you with a service that is second to none.

Concrete drilling or core drilling is the process of drilling circular holes into different surfaces, such as reinforced concrete, brick and asphalt. 

Concrete drilling is often called core drilling because it involves removing the core of the material. Diamond drilling is the most common form of core drilling.

If you are looking for concrete drilling in Sydney, Cutting In can manage your job, whether it is big or small.

How can core drilling be used?

Core drilling can be used in various construction projects. Holes can range from 10mm to 600mm in diameter and we can drill to most depths required by your individual project.

Almost all construction projects will need core drilling at some point and Cutting In are on hand to help, offering you a fast, clean and reliable service that gives you accurate results.

Our core drilling offers you flexibility as we can drill at almost any angle, meaning your options for where you need your drilling to take place are endless. We can drill into pavements, walls, ceilings, roofs and sloping surfaces.

At Cutting In, we can create holes to fit your pipes, create drainage, complete plumbing projects, add cabling for residential projects, create space for recessed lighting, plus many more. Core drilling can also be used to analyse materials.

Whether you are doing a small renovation project on a residential property or a largescale engineering project, Cutting In have the tools and know-how to get your job done.

Choose Cutting In today

We have been working with the construction industry in Sydney for over 35 years. All of our employees are experts and will bring their expert skills, advanced technology and tools to your job.

We can give you the precise holes you require for your job. Cutting In are happy to help you with your core drilling in Sydney for your big jobs and your small jobs. Call us today for a free quote and friendly, helpful advice.

Top Tips for Perfect Concrete Sawing

As any expert concrete cutters in Sydney will tell you; if you want to perform the perfect concrete saw cuts, you have to have the correct tools, the knowledge of how to do it and the practical skills to undertake the job.

Concrete sawing is a precision job and needs skill, care and attention to produce accurate saw cuts to ensure that you don’t make costly mistakes that could potentially result in delays, additional costs or injury.

So, how do you achieve the perfect cut? Here are our top tips for perfect concrete sawing.

Choosing the Right Tools

Anyone who’s ever carried out any concrete floorsawing in Sydney will know that the number one criterion for expert cutting is having the right tools and that means having the right saw.  Your choice will be either a diamond, handheld, walk-behind or wet saw depending on the size and strength of the surface you are cutting.

You’ll also need to consider the safety aspects of the job, so protective gear such as gloves, earmuffs and protective eyewear are a must to avoid the dangers of dust and concrete debris.

Choosing the Right Blades

Now you’ve got your tools; you need to choose the correct blade for the job. If you use the wrong blade, you may end up with poor cuts, or you may make the job more dangerous as you may need to apply additional pressure to cut through the concrete. Incorrect blades also increase the potential of generating more dust and heat from the cutting work.

To choose the right blade, you’ll need to assess the nature of the job and the cutting depth. For example, deep cuts will need a larger blade, while extra strong or thick concrete will require a diamond blade to produce the best results.

Preparation is Key

Just as for any task, preparation is the key to good results. Start out by assessing the concrete surface that needs cutting so that you can choose the right tools and blade for the job. You’ll also need to check whether there are any utility lines buried within the concrete slab. And don’t forget to mark the surface with chalk to keep your cuts as accurate as possible.

Cutting the Concrete

Now it’s down to business. Make a surface cut along your chalk marks to break down the concrete surface and make the cutting easier. Avoid putting too much pressure on the saw as you cut. The weight of the saw should be enough to create the cut, allowing you to simply steer and guide the saw along the cutting line.

Don’t forget that a lot of heat is generated during concrete cutting so retract the blade every 30 seconds to allow it to cool and prevent it from overheating.

Follow Our Tips for Perfect Concrete Cutting

Follow the tips above, and your concrete cutting will become more accurate, cleaner and much safer. And that’s a win-win situation for everyone concerned.

Why is Concrete Saw Cutting the Best Option for Cutting Concrete?

Ask any concrete cutters Sydney wide why concrete sawing is used to cut concrete, and they’ll tell you that it’s the most efficient way to cut it quickly and efficiently.

But what makes saw cutting the preferred method of cutting concrete rather than using some other tool such as a jackhammer? Read on to find out more about why concrete saw cutting is the best option.

Gives Greater Control Over the Cutting Edge

Of course, you could just use the power of a jackhammer to cut concrete. However, while you’ll certainly be able to cut through concrete with this tool, it will be at the detriment of precision.

By using a saw for concrete cutting, Sydney professionals can cut edges properly to leave a neat finish.

For a more visual example, think of drawing a straight line with a pencil and ruler as opposed to creating a freehand dashed line with a thick crayon, and you’ll get the picture.

Helps to Prevent Widespread Cracking

By using a saw to cut concrete, you are better able to control the temperature of the surface as many saws incorporate a water spray.

This cools down the concrete as you cut which reduces the chance of the concrete spalling – a term used to describe the cracking that occurs further down the cutting line due to increases in temperature from the friction.

Furthermore, a saw gives you the option to control where the cracks are going to be rather than having to deal with cracking throughout the entire slab caused by incorrect preparation or the wrong cutting tools and techniques.

Helps to Control the Cut Depth

The depth of the cut is one of the most important aspects of concrete cutting. If it’s too deep, you could have issues down the line, so cutting at the right depth is imperative.

A concrete saw gives you the precision you need to install pipework and drainage, etc. at the correct depth, without causing damage to the surrounding concrete.

This helps to save time, money and the reduces the chance of future issues and damage to the channels, the surrounding concrete and the pipework or cables.

Call in the Experts

As you can imagine, using a concrete saw correctly and efficiently is a skill that needs training and experience, so if you do need this kind of work done, it’s best to employ professional concrete cutters.

They’ll not only know how to use the tools proficiently, but they’ll know which concrete saw is the best option for the job.

You’ll find many expert concrete cutters throughout Sydney who are capable of providing all levels of concrete cutting from small residential projects to large commercial jobs.

Concrete Drilling 101

Concrete is a vital ingredient in most modern construction projects. It’s strong, it’s versatile, and it’s durable. However, this strength means that professional concrete cutters must be employed if there is a need to drill holes into the concrete to accommodate pipelines or cables.

Therefore, concrete or core drilling, as it is also known, is one of the services offered by concrete cutting professionals. The process involves removing a cylinder of concrete from the surrounding structure using heavy duty drills.

Experts in concrete drilling Sydney wide undertake this process to create space for everything from electricity cables, water pipes and sewer lines to channels for phone and broadband cables, sprinkler and HVAC systems.

It’s also used to create drainage systems and manholes under roads and pedestrian areas. While many concrete drillers are able to drill holes up to 18 inches in diameter, there are some experts in core drilling in Sydney who have specialist equipment that enables them to drill holes with a much larger diameter.

Concrete Drilling Equipment

Concrete cutting drills are available in a range of sizes to suit a variety of jobs. They can be powered by various means including electricity, diesel, gas or hydraulics. The specialist drills have a diamond covered tip which enables the user to drill a perfectly cylindrical hole.

The drill itself is cooled by water to reduce the amount of friction that builds up as the tip spins around and to dampen down any silica dust that arises from the concrete.

The silica dust has the potential to cause serious health problems, not just for the operators and other people on site but for anyone who happens to be nearby, so it’s important that this dust is removed at the site of the drilling.

Using a variety of electric and hydraulic rigs, it’s possible for the coring team to drill holes at any angle. They’re also able to drill both vertically and horizontally in both open and confined spaces.

Once the drilling has been completed, the solid cylindrical core known as the slug is removed to reveal a smooth hole to the required specification.

Core Drilling is Used for Many Construction Projects

Concrete drilling is used in a variety of different residential and commercial building projects, with applications as diverse as installing manholes and culverts to installing runway lighting at airports.

It’s also used routinely to allow tradespeople to install electrical services, plumbing, HVAC and communication lines.

However, before the drilling takes place, it may be necessary to scan the area using specialist ground-penetrating equipment which utilises radar, x-ray and electromagnetic conductivity to assess the area and identify any potential problems.

The Bottom Line
When choosing a concrete drilling company, it’s essential that they have relevant experience and expertise together with the specialist equipment needed to ensure that the work is carried out correctly and in a safe manner.

Precision and Patience: The Skills Needed for Concrete Hand Sawing

Take a look around you, and you’ll see the results of concrete hand sawing everywhere. From your home to your local commercial buildings, parks and public areas, professional tradesmen have constructed all of these structures. They’ve followed plans and used their skills to create buildings that almost seem to appear by magic.
And yet there’s a lot to consider when using concrete saws, apart from just the safety aspects.

Concrete Saws are Specialist Tools

When most people think of saws, they think of the typical saws that we use to cut wood. However, saws are used in a variety of industries from vehicle production to cutting the metal mesh rebar that is used for making roads and houses, and of course, for cutting concrete.

The concrete saw is a versatile tool. It’s not just used for cutting concrete but can be used to cut through fences, vehicles and anything else that requires the use of an extremely strong blade. And with the advent of diamond blades, the concrete saw is now a very versatile tool.

But, it should always be remembered that any saw, including a concrete cutting saw, is dangerous when in the wrong hands. This means that they should only ever be used if you have proper training and that you should always, always wear safety goggles when using one. 

Concrete Saws Require Skilled Operators

When concrete needs to be removed, either for replacement or as part of a home improvement, it needs the services of specialists in concrete floor sawing.

Sydney concrete cutting experts know the dangers of using concrete saws, especially if the concrete has been in situ for many years as the older the concrete is, the more difficult it is to cut.

This type of job always requires skilled operators and specialist concrete cutting saws, but most of all it requires precision and patience.

Choosing the Right Saw for The Job

Choosing the right concrete saw for the job depends on the hardness of the concrete. Most concrete cutting saws now have diamonds impregnated into the teeth, and the blades are cooled with water.

This reduces the noise and dust to make them clean and relatively quiet to operate.

Vacuums are often used on other types of saw to remove the concrete dust. The cutting equipment can be powered by electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics or an engine.

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