There are certain tasks in any construction or home improvement project that will require you to cut into some concrete. If you are an expert or have some training in concrete cutting, you should know that there are various methods that you can use or employ but today, one of the most recommended one is diamond concrete cutting.
Diamond concrete cutting pertains to the process of cutting concrete with diamond blades. This is a highly commended technique since blades encrusted with pieces of diamonds are very strong, highly durable and can really cut effectively through concrete.
If it's your first time to use the technique of diamond cutting for some construction or home improvement job, there are certain guidelines that you always need to follow to carry out this process safely. Doubtless, you learned about these advices when you were undergoing formal training but to make sure that you are properly and safely cutting concrete with diamond blades, you always have to bear them in mind.
The following are some of these important tips and guidelines:
Always identify the concrete you will cut first. There are various types of concrete, and they should be cut with different types of diamond blades as well. For instance, there are some concrete that have steel bars and they are called reinforced concrete. There are specially designed blades suitable for cutting reinforced concrete. Another example of concrete is one that has hard aggregates, such as basalt and quartz. These aggregates tend to dull the diamonds on the blade quicker. As such, you should choose a blade that has softer bond to let the diamonds be exposed more easily.
Determine whether you need to do some wet cutting or dry cutting. Concrete is usually cut with water, known as wet cutting, since doing so can help you reduce the dust, keep the diamond-encrusted blade cool and extend its life. But when there is no water source near your work area, you may have to perform dry cutting.
Select the most suitable diamond blades. For wet concrete cutting, you can use silver brazed diamond blades or laser welded diamond blades since they offer firm laser weld and high performance. In addition, you should also examine the horsepower of the concrete saw. This is because the saw's horsepower affects your final blade selection. Finally, consider the diameters of the blades your concrete saw can accommodate, and the saw's arbor size that the arbor hole on the diamond blade should match as well.
Lastly, don't forget to don sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). If the concrete cutting job is big, don't forget to put on goggle, earplugs, and protective clothing. For simpler, smaller jobs, you should at least wear a professional respirator.
