Types of Concrete Saws

Concrete installations can be complex, with intricately planned rebar and form design, the final details often require post-pour finesse. Remodeling an existing structure can necessitate disturbing solid concrete to build in new features.

From grooving slabs to removing whole blocks, choosing the right concrete saw keeps your project on schedule and under budget. Read on to learn about the uses and advantages of specific concrete saws.

When the job calls for a precision cut-out, the right tool is most likely a hydraulic chain saw. This special chain cutter can excise up to 24 inches in depth with no over cuts. Whether installing HVAC equipment or removing a section of wall, this cost-saving chain saw creates perfect corners and straight lines for your project.

For smaller applications that need meticulous cuts, handheld sawing with a circular saw works well. A portable handheld saw can be the right choice when removing small amounts of brickwork or concrete for beam placement, HVAC, embedding flashing metal, and work requiring a six-inch cut or less.

With up to 32 inches of cuts, the walk-behind slab saw is much like its handheld counterpart, only much larger. The slab saw may also be referred to as a road or flat saw. This diesel-powered slab saw can handle projects involving roads, bridges, roofs, and water channels. Electric models serve indoor projects such as excavating below grade to install pipes and utility lines, or to remove sections of slab for new surfaces.

If your project requires removing large portions of concrete, a wire saw is the best tool. These versatile machines work well on jobs too large for most cutting techniques and saws. They have the capacity to cut lengths and depths unreachable by spindle-mounted blades. Pillars, abutments, foundations, equipment pads, and thick walls can be separated safely with less noise using diamond wire sawing techniques.

Core drilling enables perfect tubular holes in nearly every surface. From openings as small as one-half-inch up to 60 inches in diameter, core drilling makes light work of creating a hole for wiring, plumbing, anchor bolts, electrical wiring, and cables. Employ a core drilling saw to sample the composition of the inside of a concrete section. These machines can drill at any angle, including upside down.

The wall saw is another iteration of the circular saw. Once mounted to a wall, it can cut a depth of three feet into each side. The most popular uses are to remove vertical sections for HVAC modifications, stair and elevator openings, windows, and demolition. It can cut at any angle.

This type of sawing is ideal for interior grinding and polishing to create anti-slip surfaces, rumble strips, or to remove high points in slab surfaces. Depending on the application, this saw can help eliminate excess effort and expense of removal and re-pouring. It easily creates textured surfaces for interior and exterior jobs.

Cobra Concrete offers all types of concrete cutting and demolition services. With our vast array of concrete saws, no job is too large or too small. As one of the largest sawing and drilling contractors in the Chicago area, we’re available to serve general contractors, specialty industries, and homeowners alike. Fill out the form below to schedule your estimate today.