CUTTING
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Concrete Cutting is the controlled process of Sawing, Drilling, and removing Concrete. It’s commonly used in construction, renovation, and demolition projects to create openings for doors, windows, plumbing, and electrical systems, or to remove unwanted sections of concrete structures.
Wet vs. Dry Concrete Cutting
Wet Cutting: This process involves applying water during cutting. The key advantages include suppression of airborne Silica Dust, which is hazardous to health; cooling of the cutting blade, which prevents overheating and extends blade life; and smoother cuts due to reduced friction. Wet cutting is best suited for outdoor work or locations where water runoff isn’t a concern.
Dry Cutting: In this method, no water is used. Instead, it relies on specialized blades and tools designed to withstand high temperatures. Its main benefits are mobility—since there's no need for a water source or cleanup—and convenience, making it ideal for small, quick jobs or indoor tasks where water could cause damage. However, it produces more dust and requires effective dust collection systems to meet safety standards. Heat buildup can also result in faster blade wear. Dry cutting is best for short, shallow cuts or when water use is impractical.
Tools and Blades Used in Concrete Cutting
Tools: Common tools include handheld cut-off saws, which are portable and ideal for small-scale work; walk-behind saws, which are larger and used for cutting floors, roads, and slabs; wall saws, which are mounted to vertical surfaces for creating openings; wire saws, which use a steel wire with diamond segments for cutting large or complex structures; and core drills, which drill round holes in concrete for pipes or conduits.
Blade Types: Diamond blades are the most commonly used for concrete cutting. Segmented blades are best for dry cutting, offering fast cuts and good debris removal. Continuous rim blades deliver smooth cuts and are ideal for wet cutting. Turbo blades offer a hybrid solution, combining faster cutting with smooth edges, and can be used wet or dry. Abrasive blades are a cheaper alternative, mostly used for dry cutting softer concrete or asphalt, though they wear out faster.
