10 Ways to Increase Your Concrete Cutting Quality

They say that a job is only as good as the tools you use and, in most cases, they’d be right. However, in the world of saw cutting in particular, there are so many other elements that separate the pros from the amateurs each and every time without fail.

With this being said, we at Sawcutting Specialties have chosen to compile a list of ten valuable ways to increase your concrete cutting skills below. In doing so, we hope to help you not only get the best jobs possible but keep them as well through your expert skill and precision. 

Ensure That all Electrical and Plumbing is Disconnected

 

1. Ensure That all Electrical and Plumbing is Disconnected

 

 

The first step to any professional concrete cutting job is to first discuss your cut plan with the other workers in order to determine whether or not electrical or plumbing elements will be an issue in any way. 

In most cases, you can expect the electrical and plumbing elements to be disconnected and removed from the cutting site before you begin but it is always best to check before making any assumptions. In this way, you avoid costly mistakes that could extend your project by days or even weeks. 

Never Begin a job Without two Functional Concrete Saws Handy

 

2. Never Begin a job Without two Functional Concrete Saws Handy

 

 

Secondly, just as they say two heads are better than one, two saws are always a better haul than one for any job. The reason for this is that it allows you to keep working even in the case of a problem with your other saw. Furthermore, if there are other members of your team willing to help you with your project, having two saws handy could also decrease your workload exponentially. 

Lastly, this allows you to utilize two different blades without having to remove one or the other and waste that time doing so. With this being said, it’s one of the most effective ways to save time on the site and also prove just how professional and prepared you are as a concrete cutter.

Variety is Essential

 

3. Variety is Essential

 

 

In the same way that having two blades saves you time and effort on the job site, having multiple saw blades and concrete cutting saws to choose from allows you to have the kind of variety necessary to do the best job possible. 

To put it into perspective, just as an artist has an array of paintbrushes in order to complete their works of art in the best way possible, your ‘work of art’ is the concrete you choose to cut and the finished product will always be better with more variety to choose from. 

For this, we recommend taking a look at some of the many diamond blades we carry in various sizes and bonds today.

Wash Your Concrete Saws and Blades Daily

 

4. Wash Your Concrete Saws and Blades Daily

 

 

Although some construction tools don’t necessarily require daily cleaning and maintenance, this simply isn’t the case with concrete saws and blades. The main reason for this is that concrete saws and blades can be damaged and cause serious injury if not cleaned regularly. 

Furthermore, if you choose not to clean a blade before a project, it will likely lead to damage to the project, the blade, or the saw itself. With that said, you are sure to end up with more work on your hands and more frustration than progress guaranteed.

Opt for wet Blades Wherever Possible

 

5. Opt for wet Blades Wherever Possible

 

 

Despite the fact that some concrete cutters prefer dry-cutting options, the main reason to opt for wet cutting is because of the lack of dust it releases. This means that you don’t have to walk back and forth on the job site in order to avoid workers inhaling the harmful dust. 

As such, you can ensure that you are well within OSHA silica dust inhalation parameters and, therefore, proving your professionalism once more through your understanding of the law and safety standards.

When Using wet Blades, Control the Water Flow Carefully

 

6. When Using wet Blades, Control the Water Flow Carefully

 

 

Despite the fact that wet blades are often more optimal than dry cutting options, you must still be careful when using wet cutting methods likewise. The main reason for this is that too much water can cause a slurry or lead to the blade veering out of control. Similarly, not enough water can lead to blade damage and wear and tear far quicker than when the water flow is accurate and controlled.

Use Your new Diamond Blades on Concrete First

 

7. Use Your new Diamond Blades on Concrete First

 

 

If you are choosing to break in a new diamond blade and want to utilize it for precise cuts, you will want to begin with rough cuts made in concrete firsthand. The reason for this is that this will reveal more diamonds on the blade and allow you to break in the said blade so it can be more precise during your precision-centric projects.

Don’t Overexert Your Diamond Blades

 

8. Don’t Overexert Your Diamond Blades

 

 

Similarly, just as you should ease your blade into the precise projects you have in mind, you should also try not to overexert your diamond blades, use them incorrectly, or put too much pressure on them during a project. 

For instance, if a blade is best suited for softer materials and green concrete, you will not want to use it on cured concrete anytime soon. Also, if you are trying to hurry up a project by pushing down on your blade, you must remember to let the blade work for itself. This is the best way to avoid unintended blade damage and wear guaranteed.

Make Controlled Concrete Cuts

 

9. Make Controlled Concrete Cuts

 

 

In conjunction with avoiding blade overexertion, you will also want to control the depth of your concrete cuts and the pressure you put on your blade likewise. If you put too much pressure on your blade or choose to make too deep of cuts at a time, you will likely wear down your blade and slow down your saw because of this. 

With that being said, it’s truly not a timesaving solution in the slightest. Instead, take your time, make educated cuts, and recognize that slow and steady truly does win the race when it comes to sawcutting in particular.

Use Concrete Joints to Your Benefit

 

10. Use Concrete Joints to Your Benefit

 

 

Lastly, concrete joints are a very common aspect of most concrete cutters’ daily jobs. However, for those that are just performing minor jobs or getting started in the concrete cutting industry, it’s essential that you recognize the power this process truly has. 

By using joint placement to your benefit, you can avoid the cracking of cured concrete slabs. You can also avoid the nightmare of having to completely redo a job simply because of a crack in the concrete in the future. If you want to know more about the benefits of concrete joints, check out this awesome article by The Balance Small Business today!

Now that you know ten of the best ways to increase your concrete cutting quality, all that is left is to get out there, complete those projects in the most professional way possible, and don’t hesitate to check out the Sawcutting Specialties shop at any time. 

 

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