Cutting Asphalt Help

lukachuki

Ok guys I need your collective wisdom. I need to know what is the best way to cut 500' of asphalt. A store here in town wants me to turn in a bid for removing some asphalt and much of it needs to be neatly cut. I know from experience that a regular concrete blade doesn't work real well. Is there a special 14" blade that would work? I just haven't had to cut that much asphalt in my short career, we just usually end up removing it all.

thanks

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"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

Tom R

I would think a wet-cutting diamond asphalt blade on a walk-behind . . .


http://www.protoolsexpress.com/mk-di...aw-blades.html

mdshunk

I use a specialized subcontractor for sawcutting much blacktop and concrete:

http://www.drivekore.com/mechanicsburg_contact.htm

house bldr

Yes, they do make a blade specifically for cutting asphalt, it cuts nicer and lasts longer than a standard concrete blade.

lukachuki

No gumming then?

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

Same Old

Do it early in the morning on a cool day.

roadmut

As several has said the wet diamond blade works real well and usablly reasonable to rent

Tom R

That I can't say, Luka, - - but I would think that would be more a matter of keeping the blade wet, - - and like Same Old says, - - avoiding the heat as much as possible . . .

Glasshousebltr

Just like my last wife's pregnancy test ......all of the above.

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Bob

Glasshousebltr

That was intended to make one's mind wonder.

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Bob

lukachuki

Ok thanks for the good info if I get the job I will use this advice and mail each of you a check, assuming it works as advertised....:-)

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

POOLMANinCT

an oiled blade

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

lukachuki

Good idea have you actually used this technique or are you theorizing? I suppose any oil would do but has anyone used a particular type with any success? Peanut Oil, Motor Oil, Buffalo Gourd Oil?

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

Tom R

I was thinking of a blade lubricant myself, - - can't say I was thinking oil, - - I was thinking more on the line of a 'waxy' surface or a dry silicone lubricant . . .

tgeb

You don't need any special lube or anything other than water.

We cut asphalt occasionally and use a walk behind wet saw with a diamond blade.

Last month we had some curb to remove and some asphalt to cut (about 100 feet). We rented a 16" walk behind saw and purchased a 16 diamond blade rated for cured concrete.

Cut up the concrete curb then, turned around and sliced through the asphalt with the same blade. It does not "gum up".

An asphalt rated blade has something called undercut protection which will make the blade last longer but you don't necessarily "have" to use an "asphalt" blade to cut asphalt. These are diamonds you know.

I would recommend a 16" or 18" blade over a 14" blade so you can be sure you are getting through the pavement.

The 16" we used cost less than $250 including overnight Saturday shipping. The blade still looks nearly new and I am sure we cut well over 400' of combined concrete/asphalt.

I get my blades from this supplier,
http://www.national-diamond.com/

Give them a call, they will fix you up. Speak to Giselle she is my sales rep. and has always been fair and helpful.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

PipeGuy

SUB IT OUT! It oughta' be way shy of $2 / foot depending on thickness and what kind of MOT (maintenance of trafic) needs to be done.
The blade segments for concrete are different than those for asphalt and segments designed to cut "either or or" (allegedly) aren't very efficient. An inexperienced saw operator can (will) wreck a $300 blade in a heartbeat by trying to cut too fast, binding the blade, plunging it into the subgrade below or cutting through two different materials (asphalt over concrete for example).

If you rent a saw, be sure you understand how they charge for blade wear and rent a saw one size bigger than you think you need.

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Fortunately I keep my feathers numbered for...for just such an emergency. -Foghorn Leghorn