Best tool for cutting concrete blocks?

[perky416]

Hi guys.

As per the title really.

I used to use an angle grinder with a masonry blade but it was slow and dusty.

I then purchased a cut off saw with a 305mm blade. Goes through 100mm blocks in one pass so i was cutting in about a 3rd of the time as i was with the grinder, however i find it difficult to make a square cut without marking 3 sides of the block first, and the dust it creates is outrageous.

I then purchased a hydraulic block splitter, no dust, but the cut was that bad id end up having to go over the ends with the cut off saw anyway so 8 ended up selling it.

Im now considering the dewalt cut off saw as it has the water system to suppress the dust, but the cut depth is only 83mm so ill have to make 2 passes on a 100mm block and back to the cutting square issue, plus it is £500.

Does a system exist that will allow me to cut 100mm block in 1 pass, squarely, with minimal dust, sub £500?

Or what would be the next best thing?

Thanks

 

[Charlie George]

Petrol cut off saws have water suppression, battery saws are probably more suited to roofers cutting tiles.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Petrol cut off saws have water suppression, battery saws are probably more suited to roofers cutting tiles.

They work, but the battery life is very limited so only suitable for low volume/sporadic use

 

[foxhole]

Have used a hydraulic block splitter and cuts were all acceptable .

 

[Charlie George]

They work, but the battery life is very limited so only suitable for low volume/sporadic use

Have used a stihl battery one, wouldn't swap for my petrol Husqvarna K770 (£600), be nice to have both though, £500 bare but add batteries/charger not cheap.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

We sometimes use them for cutting out brickwork or concrete where petrol fumes are verboten. They have their uses

 

[^woody^]

Why can't you use a lump hammer and bolster?

 

[Deleted member 174758]

OP states that he wants a neat cut ("...I then purchased a hydraulic block splitter no dust, but the cut was that bad id end up having to go over the ends with a cut off saw..."). Is the result you can get with a lump hammer and bolster that much neater than you'd get with a properly used block splitter? I have to say that our brickies use either a bolster and clubbie or they resort to a petrol powered masonry saw (with water suppression) and rough edges are just turned inwards so they aren't seen...

 

[^woody^]

OP states that he wants a neat cut

Yeah, a hammer and bolster does that.

You would probably only want to saw a concrete block if the joints are raked out and its face work

 

[catlad]

And you want to die young!

 

[^woody^]

And you want to die young!

Unless you've already passed that threshold.