Concrete Cutting Saws

[Philbert]

Seen at a recent trade show:

This ‘visible’ guide bar shows the routes that cooling water travels in an ICS concrete cutting guide bar.



On a more traditional, wood cutting guide bar, bar & chain oil follows similar channels along the bar top and bottom, and around the sprocket (not through the center).

Note all the roller bearings around the nose sprocket.

Although, the number of bearings and rivets (screws shown) varies, this basic design applies to most sprocket nose bars, and shows why good oiling is important. And why a small amount of dirt or debris can cause problems.

The cutters are a sample of different styles for cutting: brick, block, stone, reinforced concrete, sewer pipe, etc., with these special saws.



Philbert

 

[EFSM]

Seen at a recent trade show:

This ‘visible’ guide bar shows the routes that cooling water travels in an ICS concrete cutting guide bar.

View attachment 484991

On a more traditional, wood cutting guide bar, bar & chain oil follows similar channels along the bar top and bottom, and around the sprocket (not through the center).

Note all the roller bearings around the nose sprocket.

Although, the number of bearings and rivets (screws shown) varies, this basic design applies to most sprocket nose bars, and shows why good oiling is important. And why a small amount of dirt or debris can cause problems.

The cutters are a sample of different styles for cutting: brick, block, stone, reinforced concrete, sewer pipe, etc., with these special saws.

View attachment 484990

Philbert

Cool. I recently worked on one of these and noticed that the chain needs water even when test running it, at least on a dirty/used chain. The lubrication system seemed quite effective, but I wouldn’t have guessed there was a channel running through the bar like that.
The one I worked on had the clutch all gunked up with concrete dust to the point that it wouldn’t disengage and therefore wouldn’t start or idle.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Cool. I recently worked on one of these and noticed that the chain needs water even when test running it, at least on a dirty/used chain. The lubrication system seemed quite effective, but I wouldn’t have guessed there was a channel running through the bar like that.
The one I worked on had the clutch all gunked up with concrete dust to the point that it wouldn’t disengage and therefore wouldn’t start or idle.

How long do the chain rivets last on these things?

 

[EFSM]

How long do the chain rivets last on these things?

I really don’t know. But my parents later had this customer cut out a crawlspace access hole in a basement wall about 3’x3’ and he charged for a whole $600 chain. He’s an honest businessman so I assume that meant it pretty well wore one out.

 

[Philbert]

How long do the chain rivets last on these things?

I have never used one. But the rivets on the sample cutters that I’ve seen, are all recessed back from the side edges of the diamond cutting blocks.

On the worn, salvaged chains, I have, the rivet heads are still slightly ’proud’ of the side plates.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

. . . he charged for a whole $600 chain.

According to the sales rep at the show, the chains sell between (around) $300 to $800, depending on type, length, etc.

He said that the ones used to cut holes in walls, doorways, egress windows, etc., typically last for one to two holes.

Some contractors may use abrasive or diamond cutter wheels for part of the job, and chainsaws for the corners.

I can’t tell you how the costs and efficiency compare between the two types of saws.

Philbert

 

[Bill G]

I really don’t know. But my parents later had this customer cut out a crawlspace access hole in a basement wall about 3’x3’ and he charged for a whole $600 chain. He’s an honest businessman so I assume that meant it pretty well wore one out.

When my father-in-law had his outdoor boiler installed the guy charged a huge amount to bore the hole in the cinder block wall. When I bought my boiler the guy wanted to charge me the same fee so I bored my own hole.

 

[heimannm]

 

[Philbert]

Nice!

Philbert