This video shows you exactly what it looks like to use wet cutting blades: If you are doing a quick job, then aim for the masonry abrasive blade. Make sure you have the right blade and that the blade is not dull to avoid kickback. However, if you need to cut concrete blocks constantly, it would be convenient for you to buy or rent a concrete saw. You need a diamond cutting blade with your circular saw to accurately cut clean through the block without damaging it. Depending on the thickness of the concrete, you may have to raise the blade and cut through only a portion of the paver. Set the saw blade so it will cut about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep. Step 5: Do not make a continues cut, stop the blade every 45 seconds and do it again. To be able to cut concrete with circular saw, the thickness must not exceed 15 cm max or things may become difficult. This will not allow you to cut well. The concrete block varies in size and thickness. The water eliminates the problem of dust particles and also cools the blade while working. Regular concrete blocks are usually measured in inches or millimeters. Mark your cutting line onto the concrete using a 2-by-4 as a straightedge to guide the chalk. Take a tape measure and measure the length of the space where the cut cinder block will fit. 3 Best Heat Guns For Cell Phone Repair: Fix Your Phone Using Heat Guns, Best Cordless Sanders: Work Outside Without Any Problem, Best Sander For Metal Working – Reviews & Buyers Guide, Best HVLP Spray Gun for Woodworking 2020 â Chosen by a Professional Painter, Best Detail Sanders – Find Sanders For Tight Corners & Small Areas, 5 Best HVAC Tool Belt 2020 – Find The One That Fits Your Needs. Sure, the blade is not made out of diamond, but only the teeth are made out of a compound of diamond and another reinforcing metal, it’s a composite material. Plugin the circular saw if you are using an electric saw. What are the tools required for cutting concrete blocks? It also depends on the type of concrete that you want to cut whether it is a hollow core block or reinforced concrete blocks. To fix in the diamond blade, slide the blade cover backward. The following is a list of the most common concrete-cutting chores – ranging from small to enormous – and the best techniques and tools for handling these tasks. Step 4 Cut around the entire block with the saw, then adjust it so it will cut 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deeper into the block. With regular circular saw blades, you fix the blade in the saw with the teeth angled upwards. Each material has an indicated type of blade which you can find in the hardware store or online. Michael is the Editor at thetoolgeeks.com. With the diamond blade placed on the point marked out, pull the trigger of the circular saw to start cutting. Tips to get the best cutting results when using a circular saw to cut through concrete, Safety measures to follow when using a circular saw to cut concrete blocks. He used to own a local shop where he sold different tools for 20+ years. The type of circular saw doesn’t have a significant effect, but I prefer using the DEWALT DWC860W because it has a built-in water feeding system that will help you reduce the dust and prevent the overheating, and I’ve already tried it with the DEWALT DW4701 blade for cutting retaining wall blocks. You'd have a very hard time keeping a miter cut flat. If you’re using cinder blocks to build a wall or patio space, cutting cinder blocks to a precise size will ensure they fit perfectly. Simply use your circular saw and diamond blade to cut completely through the block. Contrary to the dry blades, wet blades always must have water added to it during the cutting process. Place the shoe of the reciprocating saw against the cinder block with the blade directly above the cut-line. If you’re using a wet saw and the chalk is washing off, use a crayon so the line will stay. Don’t force a blade into a cut. Fixing the serrated diamond blade is a tad different from regular blades. You can change the blade if you need … The circular saw however is one tool that can cleanly cut through concrete easily, leaving you with desired and accurate results. Before you move on to the cutting procedure, drip the concrete block into the water so that dust will reduce and also make the cutting easy. The reason a diamond blade is advised for cutting concrete is that it is capable of ripping through the hardest of materials. Step 3: Start the cutting slowly and don’t force the blade or the circular saw, just let the machine do the cutting by itself and you do the feeding slowly. So, letâs get to it. The rest of the blockwork can be quite quiet other than the block cutting. Put on your safety gear; Remove the old blade Attach the diamond blade; Mark out the line you want to cut; Power-up your circular saw; Place the blade of the saw on the concrete block; Start cutting It would be great if you could buy precut blocks also. Common concrete blocks are made with concrete, sand, and gravel. Though the circular saw can cut through concrete blocks, this doesnât mean you can just pick up your circular saw, plug it in and start cutting concrete blocks. A 7” circular saw, for instance, can only cut to 2-¼ inches deep, meaning you’ll need to sledgehammer the rest of the concrete away; a 14” wet-cutting blade … However, a circular saw that has a special blade is the best choice. With all the basic and innovative techniques, this was all about the Circular Saws and how to cut concrete blocks with Circular Saw. Reinforced concrete blocks are usually made with concrete, gravel, steel, and wire mesh. The dry cutting method: Dry cutting method involves using serrated or toothed diamond blades that can get rid of the sand particles while working. So to protect yourself from cuts, use a pair of really thick gloves. Make sure the surface that you want to cut is clean. Press down on your saw’s arbor-lock to open and place the blade. Another method for cutting concrete pavers is to use a hand-held power saw such as a Skillsaw with a masonry blade or a cut-off saw. Now turn on the circular saw and carefully bring it down on the outline and start cutting. Cutting concrete with a circular saw requires care, precision, and the right tools. Rather than setting your saw at a miter, leave it at 90 degrees and cut from the side of the blocks. This step depends largely on your purpose for cutting. The blade can be made from many materials, but in our case, we will focus on three types designed specifically for our job: They are all can be used in cutting concrete, but each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. There you go! Be sure of the places you want to cut and mark the concrete blocks with the chalk line. When cutting through concrete blocks, there is usually a large amount of dust and sand that is sawed out. Best Spray Guns For Plasti Dip – Give Your Car A New Look! The wet/dry cutting blades are actually diamond blades but the problem is that cutting concrete makes the blade extremely hot, and here comes these blades. Then take out the blade. This step is a deciding factor on the type of cutting result you will get after sawing. Place the block down on a surface that will prevent it from vibrating and thus, moving. Mark the cut and clamp the stone or paver to a stable work surface. You will need to move the saw blade back … With the wet method, water is constantly needed to be applied to the concrete you are cutting. This will keep the saw from scratching the concrete surface as you cut. When attached with the correct blade, the saw is capable of cutting just about any material from steel to concrete. The teeth of the blade should be facing in the direction that you will be cutting. Try using a concrete saw. The common concrete blocks are â4-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inchâ blocks. A circular saw with a masonry blade can also be used to either score or completely cut through the block. If yours doesnât have the switch, use a wrench to loosen the bolt holding the blade in place. Characteristics of the concrete you need to know include the compressive strength, the size and … Im doing jobs for other people during the day or looking after my son so its really just a temporary thing for my own building projects. Set the saw blade to cut ½-inch deep, and position the paver on a flat surface, such as the ground or a sturdy board set on top a couple of sawhorses. Back the saw out after about 30 seconds to avoid overheating. Cut in several steps, say 3/4 to 1" at a time. The diamond blades are even better than the masonry abrasive ones. Methods of Using a Circular Saw to Cut Concrete Blocks; How to cut concrete blocks with a circular saw? Secondly, slide the blade cover and make sure the blade is locked firm. Concrete is a mix of sand, gravel, cement and water, and it is everywhere. A circular saw would be a power tool that uses an abrasive or a toothed disc to cut various materials by utilizing the motion spinning around its arbor. Make sure you have the right blade and that the blade is not dull to avoid kickback. Quick Guide on How to Make Wood Molding with a Router, A Complete Guide on How to Use a Compound Miter Saw, How to Cut Plexiglass With a Circular Saw, A Complete Comparison: Sliding Miter Saw VS Compound Miter Saw, How to use a circular saw to cut straight, Best Miter Saw for Crown Molding for 2020 – Top Picks & Reviews, Best Benchtop Router Table for 2020 – Top Picks & Reviews, Best Router Bits for Cabinet Doors for 2020 – Top Picks & Reviews, How you can cut concrete with the circular saw, To be able to cut concrete with circular saw, the thickness must not exceed 15 cm max or things may become difficult.Â. Hold the saw firmly in place with both hands and turn on the saw. You may want to cut some blocks for your yard, cut a wall or slab or whatever you want, but if you are trying to cut it, you have to do it in the right way because it’s actually a hard job to do, and instead of hiring a contractor to do the job and it may cost you a lot of money, you can do it all by yourself if you have the right tools. Attach the blade and the washer, and then tighten the screws. The easiest would be with a circular saw and a masonry cutting blade. An angle grinder equipped with a concrete-cutting blade makes straight sharp-edged cuts in a concrete block's surface. the dry cutting blades are specially designed so they expel the heat quickly by making segmented teeth on the blade. Simply make a line on the concrete block, so you know which part you want to cut. Next, set the saw's blade depth to 2 inches and attach a 7 inch diamond blade using vice grips so that the teeth point in the opposite direction of movement. He now enjoys researching DIY tools and writing guides about it. Cutting concrete blocks is a daunting task because of the materials that were put together to make the block. If you want to cut in reinforced concrete, do not do it by yourself because of two reasons: You will encounter rebar and things may not be good with you, you will need a professional. To install the blade, first, check that your saw is turned off and unplugged. Diamond rim masonry blades can cut concrete block when used on a circular saw. Your safety is vital when using any tool. Tip 2: Cut Concrete with the Right Diamond BladeFor maximum cutting speed and blade life, you should match the blade as closely as possible to the material you're cutting. It has a blade that can usually cut 1/4" or so deep up to several feet wide of concrete per pass. It will provide a perfect cut but is very dusty, so be prepared for a bit of cleanup and the need for wearing face dust masks. Put a strip of duct tape along the bottom of the saw body where it runs against the concrete. Cut the block, allowing the saw and blade to do most of the work — don't apply too much force. Why Should You Use Circular Saw To cut Concrete Blocks? The wet cutting blades are on the top, but you must add a low stream of water during the cut, this will lubricate the blade during the cutting process and also it will prevent the silica dust from being produced. If more than a handful, diamond may be the way to go. Set up workhorses or, preferably, a work stand with adjustable sides to secure the pavers. When you are done with the steps above, you should be proud of the cutting result. Modern circular saws have a âblade release switchâ that allows you to remove the blade. Though your eyes are protected, the debris can still hit any part of your face. Push the blade of the saw to and from while cutting to ensure the blade cuts evenly. Only buy the wet cutting blades if you have a specific concrete saw or a circular saw with special parts to add water stream to the cut during the process. Tools Needed: Place the blade of the saw on the concrete block. While you can find vacuum systems designed to collect the dust material, the systems aren't fully effective. An angle grinder's design enables it to cut small square holes in a concrete block; a useful trait when installing electrical outlets in a concrete block wall. For a larger project or more accurate cuts, a circular saw with a concrete blade is a good option. When you have completed the steps above, place the diamond blade on the marked point of the concrete block. Actually, the most important thing about cutting concrete is the blade, as we learned before in this guide that the blade is what really makes the cut, not the saw, meaning that if you have the best concrete saw in the world but have the wrong blade, you won’t cut anything and you will end up breaking the blade. 7. The wet cutting method: This method requires using a smooth diamond blade. These types of reinforced blocks are used in the construction of dams and used in building foundations. When the dust becomes airborne, it's possible to inhale it into your lungs, which can create severe health problems. © PowerSawExpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Make a series of passes until you have cut through the concrete block. Small rough cuts can be made using a sledgehammer and cold chisel. 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