Is it possible to saw aerated concrete with an ordinary saw?

You can. I have used this practice with success along with an electric jigsaw. Especially when a straight cut is required. For example, I needed a few bars of 50×50 mm aerated concrete blocks in one place. A jigsaw would not be suitable in this case, since the vibration would cause the bars to simply disintegrate. Sawing with a hand hacksaw is often not very convenient.

For carpentry work I bought the cheapest circular saw DODL DP-13/160. Saw blade depth 52 mm, blade diameter 160 mm. Nimble light and handy saw with a powerful enough motor.

When it came time to saw blocks, it was also put to the test. The experiment was a success. The block is marked to the right size on four sides. A neat cut is made, the block is turned. The next cut, and so on, on all four sides. I think it’s clear what this. My circular saw can cut only five centimeters deep, and the block has the size 200x300x600. You may, of course, have other sizes. Well, 5 cm is definitely not enough, so it cuts through the block from four sides. And then we take a hand saw and finish the work. It is practically confirmed that it is very easy and fast to finish cutting the block, and it is of course much faster and easier than sawing an entire block with a hand saw. Also the cut with the circular saw is very even, so it is suitable for places where good geometry is needed.

Gas block is sawed quickly and easily, as if by oil. Just a reminder, my bundle included a wood blade with pobedite tips. photo). I would like to point out, however, that after 2 blocks the saw blade had blunted completely and was no longer useful for sawing wood. No, of course you can cut wood with it, but what does it mean? to saw with a blunt saw? Probably. you know. So I say at once. You will irreparably damage the disk. However, the gas block is still sawn instantly, regardless of the condition of the blade. As long as the tips are alive, you will be sawing.

One more thing to note. The saw (drive, motor, brushes, etc.) will.д.) wears down very intensively. Brick dust is very abrasive and hard. So be aware of the fact, that you can “kill” the tool very quickly. My unit cost at the time of writing 1990. Personally for me it was easier to “kill” the saw than to bother with sawing more than 200 blocks. For tool connoisseurs and thrifty owners this may not be an acceptable approach. it’s up to you.

Always use gloves, goggles and respirator. When sawing produces a lot of dust, and from under the rotating disk often fly out a decent splinters that hit your hands and fly into the eyes. I tried wetting the gas blocks before sawing. There is much less dust, but the sawing is much harder and the motor overheats quickly. Good luck!

The basics of sawing aerated concrete blocks

Masters who have more experience dealing with construction electrical equipment and devices, as well as the need to work with them more often, prefer to cut aerated concrete bricks with an electric saber saw or saw-alligator, rather than a hand tool. But in the case of a one-time application of aerated concrete (for example, in the construction of the outbuildings, garage or cottage. they do not need several on the same site) hand saw for aerated concrete will be more economical and reliable.

  • The electric sabre saw for aerated concrete is a powerful electric jigsaw, which gives the sabre-shaped cutting blade a horizontal reciprocating motion. Dual-blade saws are available, and many models are battery-powered. Sabre saw blades are available in different tooth sizes and shapes.
  • The alligator saw works on the crankshaft principle. the rotation of the electric motor’s rotor is converted into reciprocating motion of the two cutting blades. The blades move in opposite directions to each other but horizontally, so the cutting edge is always clean and level. The price of such an electric tool is much higher than that of a scroll saw, and the alligator saw will justify itself only with constant use, that is. in professional construction. So before such a highly specialized purchase, think about where this tool will work after construction is complete.
  • Hand saws with carbide inserts on the teeth last much longer than conventional hand saws that have to be resharpened after a few cuts. With pobedite tips, you can build a house without replacing the saw, and it will still serve further. When choosing such a tool, it is recommended to pay attention to the thickness of the blade. a thin saw will be led aside, the cut will turn out uneven and slanted. Saw with a thick blade makes a precise, accurate and straight cut.

Therefore, choosing what to saw aerated concrete, pay attention to the accuracy and reliability of the tool, rather than its price: many people think that expensive power tools. this is a guarantee of successful construction, but this is not always true. Try to saw the foam block first with an ordinary hand saw, and only if unsatisfactory results, buy more expensive saws for aerated concrete.

An electric jigsaw

Masters know this jigsaw as a sabre saw. This saw is used in the construction of medium and large objects.

Blades can be changed on the jigsaw (to put discs with different sizes of teeth, to replace blunt or damaged discs; the shape of teeth on discs can also be different. large and small teeth).

As a rule, for convenience of construction workers, many saw models are made with interchangeable batteries, so they won’t be tied to a power source.

When working with this type of tool, you must remember that cutting wet material is not allowed, it can cause injury. The saw will “jam” the crumbs and can injure the builder.

It is better to try on the tool before starting work. Play the movements of the jigsaw without the power on.

Sawing should be done with the middle part of the saw, the length of the cutting surface should be about 25 centimeters.

To avoid injury, you should hold the saw firmly in your hands.

Electric jigsaw

Masters know this jigsaw as a sabre saw. This saw is used in the construction of medium and large objects.

It is possible to change blades on the jigsaw (to put discs with different sizes of teeth, to replace blunt or damaged discs; the shape of teeth on the discs can also be different. large and small teeth).

As a rule, for the convenience of builders, many models of saws are made with interchangeable batteries, not to be tied to a power source.

When working with this type of tool, remember that cutting wet material is not allowed, it can cause injury. The saw will “jam” the crumb and can injure the builder.

It is better to try on the tool before you start working. Playback the movements of the saw without power on.

It is necessary to saw with the middle part of the saw, the length of the cutting surface should be about 25 cm.

To avoid injuries, it is necessary to hold the saw firmly in hands.

Other tools for working with foam blocks

How to saw foam block so that each element has a perfectly smooth surface?

Another tool is needed for this. the cellular concrete planer. Small metal saws with fine teeth are mounted on a wooden block at an angle. It is easy to level the surfaces of the cut block with this tool.

A planer for leveling the surface of porous blocks

Using a planer allows you to reduce glue consumption for laying foam blocks.

Stroborezmer for penoblokov. a manual device for making grooves on the surface of the elements. Channels are necessary for laying fixtures, electrical wiring or utilities. The hole saw has a simple design: a double-sided carbide blade and a holder for hands.

  • The block is marked on the line of the channel placement.
  • The tool blade is positioned on the surface of the element.
  • Pressing smoothly on the handle, the tool is moved along the marked line.

For greater accuracy and convenience when working with a stitch cutter, you can put a rail.

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The electric reamer operates the same way as a manual reamer. But it’s easier and faster to make cuts in concrete. The electric grommet cutter has multiple cutting surfaces. Special rollers move the tool along the block without any extra effort.

Choosing what to cut foam blocks with, it is worth considering the nuances of lightweight concrete structure, as well as the peculiarities of equipment to work with them. An important component will be the economic usefulness of the tool.

In many cases it is the availability of electricity and water at the place of work. Sophisticated equipment requires properly trained workers.

information: “How and what can be cut foam blocks?You get more information: “How can I cut foam blocks?”, you get by watching the video in this article.

String cutting machine. advantages over a band saw machine

The higher the degree of automation of equipment, the more blocks can be produced per unit time. It is always profitable and convenient to keep a powerful string cutting machine for aerated concrete blocks at hand. It not only works flawlessly, precisely and quickly, but is also pleasingly quiet and dust-free. The blocks are fed under the cutting tool, which operates with such precision that the array of aerated concrete is divided into component parts in seconds! When using a band saw machine there is much more dust and the productivity is much lower because each cube is cut separately.

The advantages of using such machines are obvious:

Electric saber saw

Electric saw makes a cut with flat blades, which look like a saber blade, that is why it is called so. Amplitude of blade movement can be different, it all depends on the model. Available in sizes from 3 to 5 cm. Electric sabre saw can easily cope with gas, foam concrete blocks, quickly enough makes the cut. Using a sabre saw is easy. Working principle is similar to a chainsaw.

Working with a saber electric saw can quickly and accurately make a cut of aerated concrete blocks. Many models have electronically controlled speed. Cooling is achieved by means of available ventilation holes. Vibration level is adjustable and low. The sabre saw weighs about 4 kg. Changing blades is simple enough.

An electric chainsaw

The electric chainsaw belongs to the category of universal tools, it is quite often used for cutting aerated concrete blocks, as it is in the arsenal of almost every owner. Parts of the mechanism:

The inner workings of a chain saw are as follows: a closed circuit chain moves along a guide that runs through two sprockets. At the front, the sprocket is attached to the end of the guide rail and is driven. At the rear there is another chain sprocket that is fixed to the drive shaft. It is connected to the electric motor, and its task is to drive the chain. Next to the rear sprocket on the body of the saw there is a special ledge, on which the guide bar is installed.

To make the saw work optimally, it is necessary to adjust the tension of the chain on the bar with a special screw.

You will also have to cut the gas-silica blocks when making door openings, which you can see how to install here.

Circular sawing of blocks is achieved by the circular motion of the chain blades secured to the contour of the guide bar.

Benefits of using

  • It is often said among professionals that the chainsaw performs best when sawing U-shaped blocks: the end saw blade blade gives a perfect horizontal cut.
  • The tool gives high sawing speed.
  • Optimal weight balance: easy to cut at an angle and overhead.
  • 4.Different guide bar lengths are available: from 30 to 40 cm.

Significant disadvantages of the electric saw for aerated concrete

The chain blunts fairly quickly when working with blocks, as the tool is intended to be used for cutting wood.

That’s why I immediately recommend buying a chain with a tipped carbide tip. It is several times more expensive than a conventional chain. But you can’t avoid sharpening it all the same. When sawing several blocks in a row, the chain gets very hot and stretches. You have to remove one link to get the chain back to its original size. That’s why I highly recommend giving the tool a rest.

When you work in a harsh environment, the teeth in the chainrings of power tools wear down quickly and become unusable. Sprocket replacement is inexpensive. But it is a loss of time to go to the service center and wait for the necessary spare part to arrive.

The chainsaw’s electric motor does not tolerate dust, which is generated in large quantities when sawing gas silicate blocks. In the end, the tool fails and can not be restored.

Since the gasoline equivalent of the chainsaw is much more expensive than its electric counterpart, its use is inexpedient for financial reasons.

Some builders reason. A chainsaw with a pobedite chain, oil for lubrication and sharpening would cost about 10 thousand. It’s a small price to pay throughout construction for speed and convenience.

The catch is that the resource of the tool to work in critical conditions may be enough only for the construction of one and a half stories of a country house. Then you will have to buy a second similar tool, or continue cutting blocks with a hand saw.

Chain saws are more convenient and slightly more productive than saber saws. But it is not designed to work in heavy conditions. It is worth understanding that the tool will quickly fall into disrepair.

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Power saws. recommended for hobbyists and professionals

Electric saws for aerated concrete blocks are powerful enough to perform work on large elements. Before buying tools, you should decide on the place of work. For cutting blocks on construction sites, it is recommended to choose an electric saw for aerated concrete, working from a battery. Such a device is lightweight and mobile, which will allow you to make cuts in places with limited access. The only disadvantage. limited working time, because of the periodic need to charge the battery.

Electric aircrete saw with tungsten carbide tips and hardened cutters is the most reliable and universal option for working with aerated concrete. Capable of withstanding the heavy loads of power tools, which have elements for cutting is made of ceramic-metal material. When selecting tools, you need to pay attention to such features:

  • The power of the device. For example, a model with power of 400-500 W is designed to perform simple tasks. For cutting massive blocks you need to buy a saw with a power of 1 kW or more.
  • Models with adjustable cutting depth. This feature, when working with products that have a variety of thicknesses.
  • The sabre saw blade for aerated concrete will create an optimal stroke length of 2.8-3.2 cm, and the ability to adjust will allow you to choose a convenient mode for varying degrees of complexity of work.
  • Material, width, thickness of the blade. Tooth pitches also vary in number, frequency, and height level.

There is a misconception that you can work with aerated concrete blocks with any carpentry saw. You can not do this, because the gas silicate material, although quite light, but in addition to this has a great strength. An important quality of the construction material is the abrasiveness of the structure, which is able to erase and grind the surface. Accordingly, if the tool is made of non-standard material, it will very quickly become unusable. It is recommended to use specially designed saws.

The sabre saw for aerated concrete has a versatile material that is designed for higher operating loads. The power of such devices ranges from 400-1600 watts. The greater the power indicators, the easier and faster it will be to cut gas blocks. Sabre electric saws are modified hand tools, working from the electric network. The cutting part is a sharply sharpened blade made of hard alloys. If the task is than to cut aerated concrete blocks to get a straight cut, the saber saw will be indispensable. The saw’s stroke follows a preset system that creates a smooth cut.

Machines are designed to cut through different materials through the closed band made of metal with high-frequency alloys. The gas concrete band saw has such an advantage as the ability to adjust the height and good performance. Cutting of aerated concrete blocks is carried out with a band blade, this technique allows you to make longitudinal and shaped cuts.

Chain saws are used to create U-blocks, from standard products. According to feedback from builders, it is recommended to clean chain saws from oil and grease mixtures. Because of them, the dust from aerated concrete adheres to the mechanism, which provokes accelerated wear and tear of the moving elements.

A frequently asked question. is it possible to cut aerated concrete with a chainsaw?? According to the reviews of masters, when working there is a strong abrasion, and the tool quickly gets dirty and fails. Therefore, it is better to use an electric saw for aerated concrete, where a filter is put on the brush side.

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Alligator chainsaw

The alligator saw is often seen by uninitiated people as a variation of the sabre saw, but they have differences.

The alligator drives the blades of the sawing planes in the process of operation.

They move in the same way as the alligator’s jaws do.

Unlike its sabre saw counterpart, this saw has cutting blades that do not reciprocate, but are cut using a guide bar that is mounted stationary.

  • With its powerful motor, the “Alligator” is best suited for cutting aerated concrete blocks.
  • The counter movement of the blades gives the unit stability.
  • Knife brake and on/off switch lock included.
  • Dust protection and aluminum casing contribute to product durability and reliability.
  • Ease of use.
  • Easy replacement of consumable parts.

Included in the product package are an allen key and several aircrete blades.

The only disadvantage of this tool is its high price. Buying “Alligator” is justified only in the case of professional use as a permanent equipment for the construction of walls of aerated concrete.

Alligator is the best, but very expensive tool. Its purchase is recommended for professional builders who erect more than one house from aerated concrete. For the private builder, it is better to choose less expensive solutions described above.

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Other tools

For laying blocks on the glue, a hacksaw is used on aerated concrete, and a special trowel, grater, chisel cutter. You will also need such auxiliary devices:

  • You will need to press the saw against the aerated concrete surface to make it easier to work, so you will need to purchase a stop for the blade travel. This method will increase the quality, accuracy and speed. It is possible to shift the stop, which will provide the desired width of the step when cutting the blocks.
  • Pendulum system allows you to increase speed and remove waste from the work surface, thus extending the life of the blade and reducing the load on the hand. Not every model has this feature.
  • Drill cutter for aerated concrete is suitable for making rebar cutouts.
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Cutting by hand

A common, but mistaken belief that sawing aerated concrete by hand. a long and thankless task, with poor results (uneven cut, torn edges, tedious and unproductive). But for an individual builder, you can and should cut blocks manually, as with a fairly thick blade the cut will always be even, and the porosity of the material does not make a great load on the hands. It’s all about cutting technique, material and foam block brand. If you intend to saw aerated concrete or concrete bricks of B class 2.0 and density (grade) D 400 with a hand saw, you will like the results. But the block of class B 3,5 of grade D 600 will make you think about buying an electric cutting tool.

The right hand saw can make several thousand cuts, and these can be complex lines in the form of a trapezoid or hemisphere. The conclusion suggests itself: in addition to the brand of foam block, it is important to work out the correct technique of the process:

  • You can not put too much pressure on the saw to prevent the blade from bending sideways. Aerated concrete should not be cut in the same way as boards or laths. the material is not cut, but crumbles, so pressure is not needed here in principle.
  • Before sawing aerated concrete blocks, make sure they are well dried. wet crumb will stick in the kerf and complicate the process of cutting.
  • A smooth cut is obtained if the block is pre-marked on three sides. In the markings are made shallow cuts of 20-30 mm.
  • The blade must follow the kerf so that there is no deviation in the planes. The saw should be held at a 45° angle and not put pressure on the blade. The block must rest on the base with its whole body to prevent the material to be sawn off at the end of the sawing process from falling off and having uneven edges.
  • Saws should be long, so that the blade completely and with a reserve overlapped the length of the brick.
  • To facilitate the work, you can make a tuslo from boards or plywood.

angle grinder and power plunge-cutting saw

There are special nozzles on the angle grinder, which are two metal discs that leave behind two even grooves.

There are also specialized angle grinder, so called. electric stroborezami, in them you can adjust the width and depth of the stroba. After cutting, the aerated concrete itself must be selected with a chisel and hammer. The advantages are high speed and smoothness of the cut, and the disadvantages are.Large amounts of dust, which will require a vacuum cleaner.

How to saw aerated concrete with his hands safety technique

To get an even and beautiful cut you will need an angled stencil (a stool), like the one shown in the photo.

This attachment guides the saw blade in two planes at once. It must be set at the planned place of the cut. Note that the marking of the block is greatly simplified. If you do not want to buy the stencil, you can make it yourself from the scrap profile tube. Materials such as chipboard are best avoided, as they will quickly become thin and inaccurate.

  • After installing the guide, from its corner begins the process of sawing. The hacksaw enters the aerated concrete easily, so do not press too hard. after all, you need to effectively remove the products of the cut at the same time.
  • Finish the cut at a horizontal position of the saw, so the corner did not get a splinter.
  • The cut of the block will fall on the floor, so you need to spread your legs in advance so as not to get injured. For the same reason it is necessary to work in rough closed shoes.
  • All work must be done in tight clothing with long sleeves and gloves, especially if you use an electric tool.
  • The face must be covered with a mask or a respirator to avoid inhaling large amounts of dust. Head coverings are not essential, but they can help you stay clean at the end of the day.

How to saw aerated concrete blocks?

If the design of the building is not expected to be complex shapes, then the purchase of expensive power tools will not be advisable. The most economical solution is a hacksaw for cutting aerated concrete that is used for small jobs.

The quality of the cut is influenced by the strength of the block, the technique, the condition/density of the material and the air humidity. To cut aerated concrete was smooth, you will need a pencil and a square, through which you need to make a marking on all four edges. Next, cuts are made 2-3 cm deep on three sides (two long and one between them). On how long the blade of the saw will be, it will depend on whether you can reach the end of the cut or not. The tool should be guided gently, without pressure, which prevents the saw from moving sideways. It is also not uncommon to saw aerated concrete blocks by means of a chisel.

Electric circular saw

This tool copes with aerated concrete blocks quickly, but in the process of cutting generates a lot of dust, you need eye protection. Thus it is cheaper than a sabre saw. from 2,5 thousand.

Tips for working with aerated concrete

  • It is better to lay aerated concrete blocks on the glue. For these purposes, it is worth using a proprietary trowel that will provide you with a seam between blocks of 1.5-2 mm.

We choose the trowel, depending on the used block (width 375 or 365 mm). When using a wide toothed spatula increases the consumption of glue, you get a thicker joint, and the masonry process is greatly delayed.

The thickness of the joint of the mortar is too great when using a toothed trowel

  • It is advisable to use an angle grinder with a diamond wheel for dry cutting to make cuts in aerated concrete. Then joints are quickly and easily removed with a jointing cutter.

It is better to cut aerated concrete using a “multi-material” disc

  • To speed up the process of building a house as a lintel over the door and window openings, as well as for the arrangement of the reinforcement layer it is easier to use ready-made U-blocks. But if you want to save money, then such an element can be made by yourself from a whole block.

The process of making a homemade U-block

  • The speed of the construction of the house directly depends on the quality of laying the first row of aerated concrete. If it is laid perfectly level, then the laying of subsequent rows is faster and easier.

To fit the first row, you can use a grinder

  • It is not necessary to conduct masonry rows with two corners facing each other. This way it will be difficult to tie up the rows and fit the last element.
  • To lay the last block in the row, it is necessary to lay the last two blocks without glue, trim the last element taking into account the thickness of the seams. Then we put the cut aerated concrete block on the glue first, and then the whole element.
  • Binding blocks in the rows do so. First, we put the last gas block perpendicular to the row on the other wall. That way it becomes the first in the next row. Then we measure the distance and saw off the element to the right size. After that perform masonry with glue.
  • Variants of sawing the gas block:

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Planer

Sawing the aerated concrete blocks, we try to give them a flat surface, but it does not always work. A planer can cope with this task, which aligns the surface of the aerated concrete and makes it perfectly smooth. The planer consists of a wooden base with embedded small teeth, which are located at an angle.

An electric chainsaw

Using an electric chain saw to cut aerated concrete has advantages, but there are more disadvantages. Yes, it cuts quickly, helps to cut U-configurations, it is convenient for cutting at an angle. But in the process of cutting an electric chainsaw blunts quickly, you need a chain with a bit of bitumen, which is noticeably more expensive than usual. In addition, the chain heats up in the process, the tool needs a break.

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It turns out that in the use of the electric chainsaw is more convenient than a saber, but it is more quickly worn out, changing the chain will lead to additional costs.

Hand saw

Small jobs use a hand held hacksaw. With its help, finish the openings of windows and doors, also without it you can not cope when laying the initial levels of the walls. To ensure that the device, which cuts products, performed its function well, use auxiliary tools:

  • Metal angle, which is used to control the correct angle of cut.
  • A ruler, marker, or pencil, which is needed to determine where the cut is made.
  • A planer for aerated concrete products, which levels the surface layer of the masonry.

Aerated concrete is one of the hard materials, which means that the choice of cutting tools, should be based on the quality of the cutting blade. Sawing with a hand saw, which is designed for material made of wood, aerated concrete boards is wrong. It will take a lot of time and effort. The cutting element of a hand hacksaw should consist of carbide components with larger teeth. Hand saw is available with one handle and with two handles. The cost of the cutting tool is influenced by the distinctive properties of the tool and the manufacturer.

Sawing by hand

A common misconception that sawing aerated concrete by hand is a long and thankless task with poor results (uneven cuts, torn edges, tedious and unproductive).

But for the individual builder cut blocks manually can and should be, as with a fairly thick blade the cut will always be flat, and the porosity of the material does not make a big load on the hands. It’s all about the cutting technique, the material and the brand of foam block.

If you intend to saw aerated block or foam concrete bricks of B class 2.0 and density (grade) D 400 with a hand saw, you will like the result. But a block of class B 3,5 grade D 600 will make you think about buying an electric cutting tool.

The right hand saw can make several thousand cuts, even complex trapezoidal or hemispherical miter saws. The conclusion suggests itself: in addition to the brand of foam block, it is important to work out the right technique of the process:

possible, aerated, concrete, ordinary
  • It is not permissible to press the saw too hard, as this would distort the blade. Fiberglass concrete is not cut like boards or laths. This material does not get cut, but crumbles, so no pressure is needed in general.
  • Before sawing aerated concrete blocks make sure they are well dried. wet chips will stick in the kerf and make cutting more difficult.
  • A smooth cut will be obtained if the block is pre-marked on three sides. A shallow cut of 20 to 30 mm is made on the markings.
  • The blade should follow the kerf so that there are no deviations in the planes. Hold the saw at a 45° angle and do not force the blade. The block must rest with its whole body on the base to prevent the block to be sawn off at the end of the sawing process and fall off with ragged edges.
  • The hacksaw should be long so that the blade overlaps the brick completely and with reserve in length.
  • To make it easier to work, boards or plywood can be used to make a block.