Prepping For Your First Concrete Cutting Project? Tips To Choose The Right Blade

8 May 2015 by Marvin Carroll

When it comes to cutting concrete, few things hold up the way that a diamond blade can. These strong blades can create a smooth, clean cut even from concrete. Don't just run out and buy any diamond blade for your concrete work, though. There are a few things that you need to consider first. Here are some tips to help you choose the right diamond blade so that you can complete your backyard project with ease.

Considering the Kind of Concrete

Concrete can be made from many different types of aggregate material. This material is an important part of the consideration for choosing your diamond blade. For example, if you're using concrete that has large aggregate material chunks, you're going to want a blade designed for more heavy-duty work. The harder your diamond blade, the better it will hold up to these types of demands. Concrete with smaller aggregates are easier to work with, giving you the versatility to choose blades that aren't quite as hard.

You'll also want to consider the sand that's used in the concrete. Mixtures of soft sand can be abrasive, which means you need a blade that's hard enough to hold up to that demand. Crushed sand is the sharpest of the sand mixtures, while river sand and fine granules are softer.

Thinking About the Concrete Age

The age of your concrete is another important element to consider when choosing your diamond blades. The younger the concrete, the softer it's going to be. That means it will be easier to cut. If you're laying a new concrete pad and it's still green, you can cut decorative edgings with ease simply using a standard diamond blade–no heavy blades needed.

Deciding How You Want to Cut

There are two main ways to cut concrete, known as both wet and dry cutting. Wet cutting relies on the use of a steady stream of water or a slurry to keep the blade cool while you're cutting. It also keeps a lot of the concrete dust at bay. Dry cutting, on the other hand, produces more dust since it doesn't use any kind of moisture on the blade.

If you'll be dry cutting, make sure you choose a blade specifically designed for that. Dry cutting blades are crafted to dissipate heat. This protects you from heat buildup on the blade itself. You can use dry cutting blades with wet cutting, too, but don't use a wet cutting blade if you're going to be using a dry cutting method. The wet cutting blade isn't designed to hold up to that kind of demand.

With these tips, you can choose a diamond blade that will help you get the perfect results from your project. If you're uncertain or not comfortable doing it yourself, there are many concrete contractors (such as one from Sterling Concrete Sawing & Drilling Ltd) who can help you with your cutting needs.

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