Tips for cutting concrete, granite, and stone with material cutters
Cutting concrete, granite, stone, and similar materials is serious work and requires very good equipment, including material cutters, paper cutters, and diamond blades. It also requires a good dose of technique, knowledge, and common sense. There are several tips you can follow when cutting these types of materials with the cutting table to ensure the cleanest cut possible, as well as extend the life of your diamond blade and keep everyone safe during the process.
1. Before you mow you must have a plan, especially with paver mowers
The ideal for working with wood is to measure twice and cut once, but when it comes to cutting stone it is better to move on the side of caution and measure 3 times before marking the cutting line. Another important consideration to keep in mind with all paver cutters is to check the rebar embedded in the material, power lines, and/or gas pipes. Obtaining this information is very important to avoid costly and potentially dangerous obstacles.
2. Use the correct diamond blade for the material cutter
First of all, common sense will tell us that we should only use cut-off wheels that meet the specifications of our machine. If the cutting blade does not fit perfectly, it can cause damage to the blade and the machine, as well as your safety.
Also, wet cutting wheels should only be used for wet cutting and dry cutting wheels should only be used for dry cutting. Cut-off wheels for dry cuts should also only be used for low power material cutters and if you have to choose between bonds that are too hard or too soft for the material to be cut, better err on the side of caution and choose a soft bond as that a binder that is too hard could overheat the disc and break it.
3. Before starting it, check the machine and cutting disc
If a diamond blade that has been used before is used, it should be checked beforehand to ensure that it is in good condition and that there is no damage to the inner diameter and that the blade is not warped. In the same way, essential parts of the cutting table should be checked before working, such as oil levels, belts, screws, etc., as well as the condition of the power cable if an electric motor is being used. Make sure that the water flows freely on both sides of the cutting disc when the cut is wet.
4. Do not force the cutting disc
As a general rule, leave most of the work to the diamond blade. Do not force the cutting wheel into the material faster than the wheel can travel. Also, do not cut the cutting wheel too deeply. Also, applying excessive pressure from the side to try to steer the blade can be dangerous and shorten its life. When cutting dry, you should give the blade plenty of chances to cool down, by making short, shallow cuts, as overheating the blade could break.
5. Always wear the right protection
Lastly, make sure that you are wearing proper protective clothing and equipment for the job, and ensure that workers are protected as well. Wear safety glasses, a helmet, suitable clothing, and safe footwear, and for some machines, it will be necessary to wear hearing protection as well. When dry cutting, you should always wear a respirator to prevent inhalation of silica dust, as it can cause serious and irreversible damage to the lungs.
What are the most common machines for cutting concrete?
The concrete cutting machine is one of the most used materials in construction works and is used for the manufacture of pavements, pillars, blocks, floors, among other elements. Because it is such a widely used material, it is necessary to know the most common machines for cutting concrete:
Grinders or radials grinders or also called radials are the most common tools for cutting concrete, which allow small cuts to wax, joints, and blocks thanks to its diamond disc. Pavement cutters pavement cutters are generally used for cutting concrete pavement and floors. Due to the wheels and depth-of-cut control, they have become ideal tools for cutting large joints or trenching.
Circular cutters circular cutters or also called circular saws are machines that are made with diamond discs that allow the cutting of concrete and reinforced concrete. It is perfect for making continuous cuts in wall chaser 220v and walls. Concrete chainsaws concrete chainsaws work with a diamond chain, which replaces the diamond blade. These machines provide a high depth of cut.
How to choose a slicer
A gasoline disc cutter allows the cutting of concrete, asphalt, stone and is used in civil engineering, public works, and construction. With a depth of cut of up to 145 mm and 400 mm discs, we find pneumatic or electric cutters, with dry or water jet cutting. Let’s see what they consist of.
The disc cutter
Within the manual machines, the cutter is without a doubt the most impressive since it requires, at the very least, good muscles to handle it. As far as its functions are concerned, it is mainly used by professionals. However, manufacturers have thought of all types of users and offer extensive ranges among which we can find the machine that suits us best. Also known as a thermal grinder, the cutter is a robust and quite heavy tool, reaching an average of 11 kg. Let’s say that the slicer is the big brother of the grinders. It is often used outdoors to cut cement, stone, asphalt, tiles, and slabs or to cut gas pipelines, iron pipes and even for rescue, such as firefighters. It requires simple maintenance and has a bomb-proof resistance.
Keep in mind that for smaller cutting jobs, you can use a grinder, but don’t forget that a grinder can cut but a cutter can’t grind.
- Thermal or gasoline, pneumatic or electric cutter
- Thermal or gasoline mower
It is the machine preferred by users due to its autonomy and, in addition, it is equipped with a 2-stroke engine. Its use is mainly intended for outdoor work and it is the most common cutter in all types of works.
This type of machine also has a heavy industrial version. The purchase of these models implies a significant investment. Some manufacturers have had a good idea of proposing a specific wheelbarrow on which the manual machine adapts to provide a certain comfort to the user. The icing on the cake is that the wheels are adjustable and removable to work the edges of the walls. This truck allows precise regulation of the depth of cut. In addition, a large water tank in gravity or adaptable to pressure is attached. If you refine your search, you will discover a variant of the extendable arm (like the cut and break). These machines allow wall cutting up to 400 mm in different steps.
