Cutting A Slab

highpeaks

I need to make two cuts in a 4" slab to pour some large footings.

1 cut cut will be 2' x 10' the other 2'x6'. Footings will be 15" deep .I was going to use my diamond tip blade on the circular saw to score 2" deep then jack hammer the rest.

My questions are: is 2" too deep/too shallow?

If I need to replace the blade, any brand recommendations.

Any other suggestions for making cut in general.

Thanks

MALCO.New.York

Welllllll..........For one, a Diamond on a "circular" is NOT gonna do the job. No siree!!!

You WILL need a gas powered concrete saw.

Forget the Jackhammer. Just cut it in to pieces that are physically manageable.





Keep the area wet to reduce the seriously invasive and forever settling dust that this bad-assed machine will make.

Available for rental anyplace.

If you do decide to jack it, the Bosch Electric Hammer is a GREAT tool.

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tkle

If the area will show you need to cut it all the way through(4") or risk damaging the adjoining concrete. You can rent a quicky saw as above or a walkbehind which is easier to control. Most places will charge for blade wear. It will run you around $130. You can use your Skilsaw with a serrated blade and a trickle of water. however you risk damaging the remaining concrete a slight chance of burning up your saw($150) and you'll probably burn out your blade ($50) or at least pretty much use it up.
I like MK blades though there are better ones out there. Also cheaper ones that are just as good. Look at the edge, The more diamonds and the thicker it is generally means a better blade. Serrated for heat expansion and channels to handle the water and dust.

BKFranks

For a 4" slab you can use a skil saw with a diamond blade. It should work fine. You might want to squirt some water on the blade when you are cutting to keep the dust down and keep the blade cool. Some times I use a water bottle with the cap still on. I just poke a hole in the cap and squirt. I've done this countless times. A 7" blade should be like $20-30. I use an old skil saw because it will get pretty dirty.

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tkle

Yeah the combination of concrete dust and water can pretty much gunk up a saw. Probably not the best idea, but I rinse mine with a hose after use.

Project_Pat

wear a mask , use a sharpie marker to make the line (the dust and or watter will erase a chalk line mark) i generally use a concrete saw and have a helper standing with a hose to keep the dust down.

MALCO.New.York

Can not cut a depth of 4" with a 7 inch blade................

AS far as power.....Not gonna happen.

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MALCO.New.York

Walk behinds are GREAT....They just take the challenge and the fun out of the job!!!!! Too easy!!!

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tkle

Nothing like a quickie.

neolitic

When I don't want to make a big
production out of dust containment,
(usually for pads)I will some times
just use a 15pound roto-hammer.
Outline the cut with 3/4" holes,
describe an 8" or so hole in the
middle with very tight pattern
of holes, and pick up a 10 lb
sledge hammer.
Bust out the circle in the center
and work my way to the edges.
Working alone I can hold a vacuum
hose with my feet while I drill.
For a 4" slab it's faster than you
would think, and creates very little
dust.

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Bill

We had to cut a slab to install a trench drain system and we used a walk behind. best thing ever if you have the room for it.

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MALCO.New.York

Very effective!!! Challenging as well.

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tgeb

I have done some cuts inside finished homes before and used an air powered walk behind set up. It was more expensive than a gas walk behind but without the obvious downside.

Another way I have done it, is to go ahead and break out the area for the new footing with an electric hammer and use a small saw (circular saw w/diamond blade) to clean up the edges for a nice clean repair.

A shop vac will certainly be your friend in this type work.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

CJKarl

If possible I would use the gas demo saw with a water feed. If it's inside maybe the drill and smash trick would work.
What ever diamond blade you use make sure you use enough water. Not enough will cause a paste to build up between the work and blade and cause excessive wear. Dry cutting would be better, but nothing works better than lots and lots of H2O.

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