What Is A Concrete Saw?
Wikipedia states that a concrete saw, also known as a consaw, road saw, is a power tool for cutting concrete, asphalt, brick, mortar, tile and other solid materials. You can have a small, handheld, or large walk-behind model. It may also be powered by gas, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric motors.
Concrete saws are extremely heavy-duty and come in several different types.
Because of the exhaust and fumes they produce, concrete saws powered by gas are best used outdoors. The electric concrete saws, on the other side, are more suitable for use in enclosed spaces such as a basement.
A walk-behind and handheld concrete saws are also available. While the latter is more costly, it can save you a lot of strain when you’re doing long concrete cutting runs.
A handheld concrete saw is best for cutting through walls and other tasks. A walk-behind concrete saw is a better choice if you need to concrete cut longer distances in a straight line.
Concrete Saws: What Are They?
Concrete Saw Powered by Gas
- Ideal for jobs outdoors or those that don’t have an electrical outlet.
- The electric option is more powerful than the one with an electric motor
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- Regular maintenance is required for concrete saws powered by gas.
- This should not be used indoors, or in an area with limited ventilation. The exhaust fumes from gas-powered concrete saws can be very strong and produce a lot of dust.
- Very loud
- It is quite heavy and can prove exhausting to carry for extended periods of time.
Electric-Powered Concretesaw
- They are great for indoor use as they produce less dust and fumes than gas-powered concrete saws. They are also more friendly to the environment, which is a huge plus.
- Not as loud
- It is lighter to carry because it does not have a fuel chamber
- Not a potential fire hazard
- It is easier to start than using gas-powered concrete saws
- These saws are easy to maintain
- Available in corded or cordless versions.
- It cannot be used in the initial stages of construction, or at locations without an electrical socket.
- They have electric cords, which can cause a trip hazard.
Concrete Saw
- The battery-powered concrete saws can be used as a cordless, electric concrete saw. The benefits are the exact same.
- If you don’t have the ability to charge your battery at home, you can always carry a fully charged backup battery. This is a huge advantage.
Important Considerations In Buying
When you’re looking for the best concrete cutter, it is important to understand what you are getting into. You need the right type of diamond saw blade to make a concrete cut. Take this example:
- What are the dimensions of concrete saw blades that can accommodate diamond saw blades?
- The size of the arbor
- Blades quality
- Match the saw blade to the concrete type you are cutting (asphalt reinforced with metal bars, concrete with rocks or pebbles, etc.).
- Wet-cutting diamond saw blades are used primarily by diamond saw blades. If the water is not sufficient, the blade will break easily or the steel core will also break.
- This is the decision you must make.
- The horsepower of the concrete saw is a measure of how powerful the saw is. This determines the amount and type of impact the blade will have when cutting.
Use Of A Concrete Saw: The Risks
You need to be aware of the risks associated with concrete cutting. Concrete cutting can cause dust to fly around. Consider the dust that is flying about as you drive through construction zones. These are some of the things you need to remember.
- The crystalline silica can be found in rocks, sand and stones. It is used to make tiles, bricks, and other materials. These fine particles can be seen with the naked eye under normal lighting, but they are also airborne from cutting these materials.
- Concrete cutting cutting saws require that you use a lot of water. This will reduce dust particles in the air.
- Diamond saw blades perform better than abrasive ones.
- A local exhaust ventilation (LEV), which is essential for concrete saws, will help to remove most of the dust from your cutting operations.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), is required for concrete saw operation.
Best Gas Concrete Saw
Husqvarna’s saw isn’t cheap, but it has a lot to offer. This gas-powered concrete saw weighs in at 12kg and measures 24x12x12x12 inches. It is made in Sweden. This concrete saw is a wet-style model, so dust particles won’t be as much of a problem. The length of the diamond blade is 36 cm.
What We Like
- The frame is not affected by vibrations from the engine
- If you have an old school concrete see, you’ll notice a big difference in weight
- It is ergonomically comfortable to use.
- It has a lot of power, compared to other saws in the same class
What We Don’t Do
- The price, but it’s worth it
Best ElectricConcrete Saw
This concrete saw is the best for those on a budget. This saw uses power-cord electric instead of gas. It measures 26.5x1x1 and is available in cool blue, black, and silver colors. It can deliver 220 volts of power.
This saw is excellent for its intended purpose, which is to cut limestone or tooth brick walls. This saw is not for cutting up concrete slabs that have been cured. It was a great investment that paid off many times before I threw it away. Makita tools have been my constant companion for over a thousand years. I have owned some for more than 30 years. I plan to buy this tool again the next time I need it. ADVICE: This tool can be used just like a chainsaw if you decide to purchase it. It is best not to lend it out. Most importantly, use it all the time!
Official product description: The Makita 36cm Angle Cutter with Diamond Blade is ideal for cutting split face blocks when building retaining wall walls. It has a 25 percent greater cutting capacity. The tool base can be adjusted to allow for a cutting depth of up to 13 cm. You can remove it to cut closer to walls. For smooth travel, the cutter has a vacuum attachment port that can be used to efficiently remove dust and debris. There are also guide wheels on its tool guard. This angle cutter is made of ball bearings and has externally accessible brushes. It comes with a 1-year warranty.
What We Like
- Plenty of power at 15 amps and 3500 RPM
- Very light weight, just a pound lighter than the Husqvarna
- Indoor use: Electric and fume-free
What We Don’t Do
- Base plate lacks durability
Best BudgetConcrete Saw (Electric).
If you are looking for a concrete saw that is affordable, the Evolution 30 cm disc cutter will be a great choice.
Because it is electric, the Makita can use it indoors and outdoors. The spindle lock system makes it easy to change the diamond blade.
The Evolution’s handles and grips have been well designed so that you can hold it comfortably while you work.
Although the 30 cm blade may not be as popular as the 14 inch blade, I believe you will find that it is just as durable and heavy-duty as the 14 and won’t require replacement for quite some time.
The maximum cutting depth of the Evolution is 10 cm, which should be sufficient for most jobs. Electricity is better than gas because the Evolution can be started up and plugged in at any time.
What we like
- The price. This price is unbeatable.
- At 10 kg, it is super light. Easy to use and maneuver
- Indoor use: Electric and fume-free
What We Don’t Do
- Sometimes, a 15 AMP breaker is needed
- Wet use is not recommended.
Best Walk-Behind Concrete Saw
The MK Diamond 36 cm concretesaw is a great choice if you’re looking for a walk-behind. The reliable Honda engine of 6.5 HP is a great choice. It starts up quickly and runs reliably, time after time.
The variable depth of the cut allows for you to reach within 3 cm of curbs or walls. It is quite lightweight for its power and easy to transport around the job site, compared to older walk behind models.
Almost every review of this saw says it runs smooth and reliable once it’s started. However, some people have trouble getting the throttle and choke right in order to get it running. Although it is possible to expect quick starts once you get the hang of it, it may take some time to get used too.
What We Like
- Blades stay wet with integrated water system
- Both left- and right-side cutting capabilities available
- Both dry and wet applications
What We Don’t Do
- If you aren’t experienced, it can be difficult to start.
Wrap-up
Concrete saws are very variable in terms of cost due to the many sizes and styles available. How often you intend to use the concrete saw will determine how much you spend.
Do you make a living by cutting concrete?
Remember the old saying that you should always buy at the lowest price. If you are using the product every day, don’t make too many sacrifices.
If you’re only going to use it occasionally, then a model like the Evolution we reviewed previously would work just fine.
Good luck with your decision-making!
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Brian, Woodworker
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17 years as a licensed contractor
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