Power Hammer & Concrete Cutting

About Cutting Concrete

• Concrete is very hard building material made of Portland cement, aggregate, sand and water. Many homeowners simply hire a contractor to do the messy and often dangerous work of concrete cutting. This decision can be advisable if the physical condition of the homeworker is an issue. If you decide to tackle the task yourself, however, it’s important to have equipment with adequate power for the job. Jackhammers, concrete saws, chisels, pneumatic chippers, hammers and other equipment may be required depending on the difficulty of the task.

About Power Hammers

• Jackhammers are the traditional equipment used for cutting concrete. These jackhammers, along with smaller hand tools and core drills, are generally effective for cutting concrete, as well as making holes for installation of railings, gates or plumbing equipment. Unless you also use a large air compressor with the equipment, you will have to use a simple electric jackhammer that is all size and weight, but with not enough power to cut the concrete quickly and effectively. Precision cuts are generally not made with power hammer equipment.

About Concrete Saws

• Concrete saws generally use diamond-cutting blades to cut through tough materials such as concrete. A variety of concrete cutting saws are available, including water-cooled, diamond chainsaws that make quick work of concrete repairs. Dry cutting saws are also available. The difference between wet and dry saw is in the weld of the blade. Dry-cutting blades have segment welds that resist heat. They do not need water to cool the blade. Wet-cutting saws use additional equipment such as tanks and hoses for keeping the blade cool. Wet-cutting saws are generally used on walk behind units for cutting slabs and other such concrete structures. Which type you decide to use is determined by the type of work you are doing and where it is located. Dry-cutting is generally used indoors because it is less messy.

Precautions When Using Concrete Cutting Equipment

• When working with concrete cutting equipment, do-it-yourselfers should wear heavy protective clothing to prevent injuries from flying pieces. A respiratory mask will protect lungs from irritation from concrete dust. Goggles will protect eyes from flying shards, and heavy gloves will protect hands from cuts and scrapes. Noise levels from concrete cutting equipment can be very high, so ear protection is also recommended. Personal protection and safety items are widely available at hardware and home improvement stores.