normiss 721 #1 March 6, 2012 So we're doing ANOTHER remodel. (Yes, She can be high maintenance - but worth every bit of it!). I used a 3 1/2 circular concrete cut-off saw to cut into the concrete slab to get into the plumbing. Need to go deeper - for the first time in my life. I'm cutting a slab I expect to be around 6" thick. Also cutting off a couple of concrete block walls..... If anyone has any experience....chainsaw or circular saw? I can rent either, just curious which one works best....and hopefully less mess as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 15 #2 March 6, 2012 I have always preferred the circular saw on masonry work. It seems to cut straighter lines and replacing the blade if needed is a lot easier. I used to put in paver patios and spent most a summer operating a gas powered saw every day or two cutting bricks after they were installed and the only thing I hated about the circular saw was the balance on them really sucks and if you have to operate it while unbalanced or at the extremes of a one arm reach it can easily trip you up when it starts or stops. Oh yeah.. just remember to keep things wet Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #3 March 6, 2012 wet circularYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #4 March 6, 2012 Circular saw is the way to go get one [url "http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rlz=1C1_____enUS465US465&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=939&q=1450+E.+Highway+436+Altamonte+Springs,+FL+32701&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88e771e30f7f585d:0x16427587fe68b02e,1450+Florida+436,+Casselberry,+FL+32730&gl=us&ei=cCRWT-fALce2tweQ7diRCQ&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CB8Q8gEwAA"] BEST RENTAL[url]You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #5 March 6, 2012 I saw the subject line in the Forum list and thought, "that has got to be a thread started by Mark!" Oh, and I am NOT high maintenance! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #6 March 6, 2012 Det-cord ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #7 March 6, 2012 Quote I saw the subject line in the Forum list and thought, "that has got to be a thread started by Mark!" Oh, and I am NOT high maintenance! Me too You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #9 March 6, 2012 Quote Det-cord Fact. Flex Linear Shaped Charges (FLSC) works wonders on steel and can be handy with concrete as well.At least so I've heard.Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #10 March 6, 2012 Quote Quote I saw the subject line in the Forum list and thought, "that has got to be a thread started by Mark!" Oh, and I am NOT high maintenance! Me too Definately high maintenance. Can I be on the list now? Wait... what list?Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #11 March 6, 2012 Quote Quote Det-cord Fact. Flex Linear Shaped Charges (FLSC) works wonders on steel and can be handy with concrete as well.At least so I've heard. I know for a fact it takes a lotta the fight outta re-bar reinforced concrete load bearing pillars...prolly a bit messy on slab work, as opposed to a wet-saw though. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #12 March 6, 2012 ooo .... me likey FLSC (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #13 March 6, 2012 http://www.mytoolstore.com/partner/k40.html#cart hopefully there's not gonna be any rebar in the floor......but watch for Sparks!!!! to tell you there IS... keep a bottle of water handy for the saw....keep a bottle of BEER handy for the operatoredited to add..... Beer !! for ME.... since this is the first Link i've successfully added to a post !!!!!!!hahaha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 26 #14 March 6, 2012 Quote Quote Det-cord Fact. Flex Linear Shaped Charges (FLSC) works wonders on steel and can be handy with concrete as well.At least so I've heard. Not if the concrete is on backing of crushed stone (like a slab would be).Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #15 March 6, 2012 Quote Quote Quote Det-cord Fact. Flex Linear Shaped Charges (FLSC) works wonders on steel and can be handy with concrete as well.At least so I've heard. Not if the concrete is on backing of crushed stone (like a slab would be). Fuck it then. Get me some c-4...Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #16 March 6, 2012 Wow for 25 years I have been using a oxy acetylene torch to cut down old sign poles..this looks like a lot more fun..You can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #17 March 6, 2012 Doesn't it though? (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #18 March 6, 2012 A lot of slabs in the U.S. are poured on a bed of Masonry Sand. Just saying. What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #19 March 6, 2012 Quote A lot of slabs in the U.S. are poured on a bed of Masonry Sand. Just saying. You could always go with a 40 lb. cratering charge...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFpNSi-Uun4&feature=relatedSome people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickochet 0 #20 March 6, 2012 We have a chainsaw and it really works well.If you never fall down you aren't trying hard enough. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
justme12001 0 #21 March 6, 2012 circular saws do have "over cut" whereas with the chainsaw type you can do more of a plunge cut and not have to worry about the over cut. Just something to keep in mind Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfzombie 3 #22 March 7, 2012 gas powered rescue saw, that's what we called it, it's just a big circular saw with a blade on the front and a motor on the back. has about a 6-8" cutting depth, but the blades are expensive. they can cut through anything. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=rescue+saw&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=16390168804287429261&sa=X&ei=HF1XT8T7MOXe0gG58si6Dw&ved=0CEgQ8wIwAAhttp://kitswv.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 721 #23 March 7, 2012 Pic 1 - before. Pic 2 - starting the cut to get to the sewer line Pic 3 - slab cut for sewer access Pic 4 - after. I rented a 14" Concrete chop saw. The half walls are gone, a little grinding left to do. Overall, a damn good clean job if I may. We're ready for the permit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,252 #24 March 7, 2012 Hi Normiss, Quote We're ready for the permit! Around here they like us to get the permit first. Looks good so far; are you going to put in a hot tub? JerryBaumchen PS) I know it's a regional thing but you would have a lot of trouble selling a house in this area if it were built on a slap. The land of post & beam construction. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 721 #25 March 7, 2012 Permits are for building. Not for demo. I'm doing all the prep I can! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites