For an upcoming project, I will need to cut a 15″ X 12’6″ strip from an existing slab. I am waiting for engineer’s drawings for details regarding the footing that will be placed in this space. At any rate, this will be my first foray with a concrete saw and I have a few questions. The cuts need to be very straight, so I’m assuming I will have to rent a ‘walk behind’ saw, one with wheels. I have no idea how thick this slab is or if there is steel in it. Questions: Is a cut made in one pass? How deep? Is the goal to cut entirely through the slab or only to score it? If the diamond blade hits metal will the blade be ruined? What is the strategy to make a very straight attractive cut? Do I simply follow a line? Is there such a thing as an edge guide in this type of situation? Any advice about how to go about this will be greatly appreciated!
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Call in a concrete cutting specialist. Around here they will come to the job and cut 80 feet of concrete for $250.00 plus haul away the debris. No dust, no mess and in 2 hours you're on to the real job.
Ditto florida. For what you describe, call a specialist. They will do it quickly and the right way.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Calling in a specialist may be good advice, and that's the route I may take. Still, I'm curious about the things I've asked... It's just a personal ethic, especially when it comes to expanding knowledge about an unfamiliar tool -- gotta research and learn everything I can before I'm at peace about handing something over. Anybody?
You can do it. Rent a saw.
A good one will have a "guide" that works like a pointer. Snap a line in advance of cutting and using the line and the pointer walk the saw down the line. One pass only Best if you know the depth of the slab to start with. Drill a hole through the slab in the area you want to remove, check for depth there. Cuts will work if sawn 2/3 of depth of slab, 3/4 is better IMO. Diamond blade will cut the steel, make sure you go slow and allow the saw to do the work, water to the saw is absolutely necessary. First pass is the only pass unless there is some problem. Rental place will measure the blade diameter before and after use.
You pay for how much of the blade you wear away as well as for saw rental. Might check to see if a pro isn't actually cheaper .
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Yes you can do it yourself, it's not rocket science. But the devil is in the details. For inside work, it is very noisy and messy ... they cool the blade with water spray. Then you need to remove the concrete and haul it off site."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thank you all! The slab is outside, so mess and fumes aren't that big a deal. But from your comments, I will definitely research the cost of doing it myself vs. renting. The rental yard will rent the machine for about $80 a day BUT they make you buy the blade for an addition $80. So with tax I'm up to around $170 or so... Plus, I'll charge some travel time to get the damn thing.. I love learning new things but I'm hearing what you're saying. Thanks again!
Outside is a hole differnt animal. Other than taking away the old piece, no reason not to try it yourself."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
You didn't say where the slab is located, inside or outside. If it's inside, I wouldn't mess with it, call the specialist. In either case, proper ventilation is important to move the exhaust/carbon monoxide out of there. That's not a small matter.
It's a very simple machine to operate but unless you're on a tight budget and have time to kill, let the specialist do it. You'll likely kill most of a day, doing the entire job yourself and have only learned that it's not something you want to do again.