The Cutoff Saw Family
Though
the handheld concrete saws rule the roost for ability and portability,
they has some cousins that can make quick work of other concrete cutting
tasks.
Tub Saws
 Less portable, bigger and heavier than a cutoff saw, the tub saw makes delicate cutting
of small pieces easier and safer. Called a tub saw for the tub the motor
and blade sit over, it has a wheeled tray for smooth feeding into the
blade. We have two tub saws in our stable of equipment, and use them primarily
for detail paver cuts. Often we’ll have to make a notch or semi-circle
cut in a paver to allow room for electrical conduit or a drain or some
other obstacle. Using a cutoff saw for this can be pretty dangerous
(I know, because I’ve done it too many times). You have to place
the cutoff saw on the ground and hold the saw steady and at full throttle
with one hand, while the other hand carefully works with the blade to
carve material out of the brick paver. Far too often, you twist the
brick just a bit too much, it binds the blade a little, and the brick
is yanked out of your hand and your hand pulled toward the blade, all
in an instant. I’m fortunate to not have had a good chunk of meat
removed from my hands…so far.
But this is why we use the tub saw for these cuts. On most brands you can adjust
the cutting depth, place the material on the tray and hold it with both
hands, and guide it as slowly as needed into the blade to remove unwanted
material. And most tub saws blades spin slower than the RPM
of a cutoff saw, though there is more torque. While trying to make
certain cuts can still bind the blade a bit and pull the paver right
through the saw and your hands with it, it’s harder to do. And
if you take care to keep fingers and thumbs out of the path of the blade
just in case it binds, you’ll have happy, healthy fingers for
years to come.
Ring Saws
Partner has
just unveiled their first gas-powered ring saw to the US market. While
I haven’t had to opportunity to cut any material with a ring saw,
I’m anxious to try. Ring saws used to be the exclusive domain of
hydraulic-driven tools, but Partner has recently figured out how to marry
the body of their K-series saws to the ring-saw mechanisms. A ring saw
works very similarly to a standard rotating diamond blade saw, except
you get a far greater cutting depth from a given blade diameter. For example,
a 14” ring saw will provide 10” of cutting depth. The secret
is in the more complex mechanics that allow a diamond ring blade to rotate
around a narrow drive wheel, gliding on four rollers.
While
the saw has some distinct advantages in areas such as demolition work,
rescue work, or other work that requires deep but less accurate cutting,
then this saw might be of great benefit. I’m not certain how many
companies offer the specialized diamond blades for this kind of saw,
which may keep the per lineal foot of cut price higher than a typical
cutoff saw. But if you’re looking for 10 inch cutting depth without
hauling around a saw with a 24 inch diameter blade, a ring saw might
fit the bill nicely.
Concrete Chain Saws
Another newer entry into the field of concrete saws is the concrete chain saw. Born
of the need to have an even more portable concrete cutter that could make
some rough, deep cuts, the concrete chain saw was created. Recognizing
the need for better air filtration than the usual chain saw, these saws
have filtration systems much like their concrete saw cousins. These will
also provide for a deeper cut, and are great for general cutting or concrete
pipe cutting. I’ve read they are good for precision cutting, but
just like you don’t use a chain saw to build a Queen Anne chair,
I don’t think a concrete chain saw is the best tool for most precision
stone or masonry cutting. After talking to another contractor who uses
this saw, he agreed, and they only use theirs for rough cutting of pipes
or other concrete.
|
