The better to cut aerated concrete blocks

How to cut aerated concrete blocks

Before you start building a house, you need to decide on the building material from which it will be built. The durability and comfort of the structure depends on this decision. A good wall will not give off heat to the street, and will also allow extraneous noise to pass into the premises. The material for building a house must be fireproof and environmentally friendly. Strong, lightweight cellular materials are popular in our country: gas blocks.

If you have planned the construction of a house or building with your own hands, then it is important to know about the technical characteristics of the material, as well as the ways of laying it. Often novice builders are worried about how to cut an aerated concrete block so that it is even, of the right size.

How to saw gas blocks?

Aerated concrete block is a building material with which it is very easy to work and process. However, you need to saw it correctly, with the most convenient and suitable tool, in compliance with the technology.

Let’s consider all the options for tools:

• Hand saw. In comparison with a hacksaw for sawing wood, it has large soldered teeth, as well as a long blade. Cutting with such a tool does not cause problems even for inexperienced builders, blocks are sawn along or across.
• saw (saber). A hand-held saw, operating from the electrical network (visually and in size, it is similar to a hammer drill). Such a saw is used for medium-sized work, cutting gas blocks of different sizes.
• Band-saw. A stationary power saw that cuts material with a looped toothed steel band. The method is distinguished by the efficiency of cutting, long-term work without stopping is possible.
• Planer and sanding board is used for leveling masonry blocks, grinding
• Wall chaser. Device for creating strobes for masonry reinforcement and communications.

How to cut aerated concrete blocks?

If complex shapes are not assumed for the project of the building being built, then the purchase of an expensive power tool will be inappropriate. The most economical solution would be a hacksaw for cutting aerated concrete, used for small work.

The quality of the cut is influenced by the strength of the block, technique, condition / density of the material, air humidity. To cut aerated concrete evenly, you need a pencil and a square, with which you need to mark all four edges. Next, cuts are made with a depth of 2-3 cm along three edges (two long and one between them). How long the saw blade will be will determine whether you can reach the end of the cut or not. The tool should be guided gently without pressure to prevent the saw from sliding sideways. Also, aerated concrete blocks are often cut using a miter box.

How and what to cut aerated concrete

Aerated concrete blocks are quite flexible material for processing. But nevertheless, it is necessary to cut aerated concrete correctly, having thoughtfully choosing a convenient and most suitable tool, observing the technology. Let’s talk about how and what is the best way to cut aerated concrete blocks during construction.

AAC Block vs LECA Block vs Hollow Concrete Block. Which One to Choose ?

When we talked about the properties, advantages and disadvantages of aerated concrete, we mentioned among the advantages that it is easy to cut and drill. According to experts, in terms of sawing, aerated concrete blocks are noticeably easier than brick. However, so that there are no cracks in the wall, the masonry went as smoothly as possible, everything was correct, we will consider all the suitable tools and the features of their use.

Output

The processing of concrete products without the appropriate tools is practically impossible, therefore it is very important to find the optimal solution. this article will tell you some of the features of the process in more detail.

Methods of work

Let’s consider what should be used and how to organize the workflow depending on the specifics of a particular object. Not only the quality of the result depends on the right choice, but also how much effort will be spent.

How to cut a block with electric tools

Sawing aerated or foam concrete with electric saws speeds up the process and increases the volume of work, and also allows you to cut architectural elements of complex configuration. The method justifies itself when building large objects or a house with two or three floors. The best choice for such work would be an alligator saw or a reciprocating saw for aerated concrete with an electric power of about 1000 W and with a blade length of 365 mm.

Important: When sawing with an electric saw of any type, it is necessary to take only dry foam blocks, otherwise the saw may bite in the saw and be pulled out of the hands.

Reciprocating saw operation:

• Before cutting, it is recommended to practice the movements with the tool switched off: the saw blade should not be placed firmly against the block. Before cutting, keep the tool at some distance from the cut, while swinging the saw up, down and back in the center, as if it were a hand saw. It is not necessary to saw the block for all the blade, but with its central part, the length of the cutting surface should be approximately 250 mm.
• When working with a reciprocating saw, pushing it against the end of the product, you can get dust sticking and biting the blade, especially on a damp block. Therefore, it is recommended to make cuts from both sides towards.

A professional saw allows you to get the job done quickly and accurately, but its cost does not always justify the construction estimate. Therefore, DIYers often dissolve the blocks with a circular or chain saw, gasoline or electric.

Sawing with a circular or chain saw:

• From the practice of working on a circular: the block is marked on all sides by sawing shallow grooves and sawing completely with a hand saw. If the disc is large, then you can try to saw the block at once or from both sides, but there will be a lot of dust, so individual protection means are required, as well as forced ventilation of an enclosed space.
• With a chain saw, the block is cut much faster, since it has a higher chain speed. The negative point is the rapid wear of the chain or even a sudden break. Positive sides. smooth cut, high speed, mobility (blocks can be cut on the spot).
• Practical statistics on chain wear and replacement: one chain is enough for 12-15 foam blocks of any brand with a thickness of 400 mm. If you continue to cut the material with a dull chain, dust emission increases, the work slows down, the cut may turn out to be uneven due to the large accumulation of dust in the cut.

Sawing angle grinder and hammer drill:

• This original method is useful for those who need U-shaped blocks. For accuracy and speeding up the work, it is recommended to make a wooden template, along which all cutting mowing lines are marked with a steel rod (for example, a nail). Then, with a grinder with a diamond disc, the upper part of the gas block is cut to a depth of 5 cm on both sides, and excess material is knocked down with a perforator with a spade-blade. Irregularities inside the chip can also be removed with a grinder, aerated concrete plane or a chisel.
• To make a U-shaped product from a solid rectangular foam block in this way, it takes only 20-30 minutes. Work takes place in dust, so you need a respirator or hood.
• A chain saw, like an alligator saw, should not be oiled when cutting foam or gas materials, so that greasy dust does not stick to the teeth, slowing down the work and wearing out the chain with this peculiar abrasive.

Selection Tips

When choosing a tool for cutting aerated concrete, they pay attention to: power, price, manufacturer and other criteria. To choose a chaser, which is designed for making grooves in an aerated concrete block, take into account the power, speed and diameter of the disc. The weight of the installation, the space occupied and the amount of work are also important.

When choosing an electric planer, they look at the speed of rotation of the knives and the power, which is undesirable below 600W. It is important to pay attention to the placement of the handle and the depth switch, it is advisable to purchase a plane with a fixed height.

A saw is used to cut the aerated concrete block. The quality of the cut depends on the correctly selected mechanism. When buying a saw, you should study its features for the correspondence of the cutting elements to the material used. Also pay attention to the quality of the blades, assembly and manufacturer.

To choose the right hand hacksaw, you need to look at the shape of the handle, it is better if it has rubber inserts that will prevent the appearance of calluses.

To cut the aerated concrete block, use a saber hacksaw. To perform quality work, it is important to correctly determine the cutting mechanisms. To begin with, choose between professional and household. Next, they look at the depth of the cut and the power of the unit. Also, the mechanism must have a speed control. A big plus will be the presence of a pendulum stroke function, which, due to the possibility of deviation from the trajectory, will save the saber hacksaw from overheating and increase the cutting speed.

Concrete cutting

In this case, first of all, you should decide to what depth you need to make a cut.

Depending on this, the following options exist:

• For shallow cuts from one to several centimeters, a small angle grinder with a circle diameter of 115 to 125 millimeters is also suitable. The tool is very light, so it is very convenient and comfortable to work with it. The disadvantages include a lack of power and overheating of equipment during a long working process.
• For deeper cuts with a small amount of work, an angle grinder with a disc diameter of 230 millimeters is suitable. This option is much more powerful, which reduces the risk of overloading and can significantly increase productivity. But due to the large weight, it is less convenient to work with this option with your own hands.
• If the volume of work is large and you need to cut to a great depth, then you will need a special cutting machine for concrete. Such equipment is distinguished by high indicators of power and productivity. It is rather difficult to work with him, so it is better to entrust this work to professionals.

Whichever option you choose, the instructions for using the tool are required to be studied before starting work. This ensures that safety is maintained during the cutting process.

You should also choose the right cut-off wheel, how effectively a concrete cutter or angle grinder will work directly depends on the correct choice of a diamond cut-off wheel.

There are the following options:

• The segment disc is designed for shallow to medium working depths. In this case, the concrete should be without reinforcing elements, since they break the segments, which disables the disc and creates a risk of injury.

Segments cut concrete well, but poorly handle reinforcement

• Solid circles are intended for cutting concrete tiles, cladding plates, and in places where a very precise, neat cut is required. One-piece strip prevents chipping, but this option is not suitable for long-term operation.

Continuous coverage is a great solution where accuracy is important

• Discs coated with “turbo” are best suited for difficult work, some options also cope well with reinforcement, which allows you to effectively cut and reinforced concrete.

This coating copes well with high loads.

Important!
Never skimp on consumables, as quality products last at least several times longer and, ultimately, are much cheaper to use.

AAC cutting, sawing and routing

Benefits of using

• There is a common belief among professionals that when cutting U-shaped blocks, the chain saw does the best: the miter saw gives the perfect horizontal cut.
• The tool gives a high cutting speed.
• Optimal weight balancing: the tool is convenient for cutting at an angle and overhead.
• 4.Guide bars of different lengths are provided: from 30 to 40 cm.

Electric circular saw

This tool copes with aerated concrete blocks quickly, but during the sawing process a lot of dust is generated, eye protection is necessary. At the same time, this tool costs less than a reciprocating saw. from 2.5 thousand rubles.

Band saw

It is a multi-bit tool, which is a circular steel strip with teeth on one side. Such a tape is used in a special tape saw machine. Such a machine allows you to cut aerated concrete much faster than a hand saw, but its cost is high. The blade is made of hard alloy metal, the height of the working surface of the machine is adjustable. The blade tension is automatic, which increases the cutting accuracy.

The cutting blade is guided by ultra-precise rollers. You can work for a long time without stopping, since waste is quickly removed through the gap in the machine. The cutting blade can be changed quickly and easily if required. The machine is easily transported using wheels. And for greater stability of the machine during operation, stops are used.

How to cut aerated concrete blocks?

When building a house, they often began to choose such a building material as aerated concrete. But how to cut aerated concrete blocks? These are porous but strong blocks, which include cement, lime, quartz sand, gypsum stone, aluminum powder and water. From the combination of these components, a lightweight cellular material is obtained. When laying walls, blocks are chosen strictly according to size so as not to violate the strength and thermal insulation of the wall.

The composition of aerated concrete blocks includes: cement, lime, quartz sand, gypsum stone, aluminum powder and water.

Aerated concrete is easy to process, so cutting of aerated concrete can be done at any angle. To get the blocks of the desired size, use all kinds of sawing tools. Aerated concrete is a fairly durable material, so ordinary saws will not work for it. It is best to use a tool with hardened blades and special solders from Pobedit. There are several types of such tools, which differ in cutting methods.

Reciprocating saw

This is also a hand saw, but it works from the mains. In appearance, it looks like an electric drill, in which the cutting parts are directed forward. The working stroke of the blade is performed in a straight line forward.

Characteristics of aerated concrete blocks.

Such a tool is used for medium volumes of work, special flat parts are used. To obtain an even mowing line, cutting it before cutting is also planned.

The stroke rate during operation reaches 3 thousand per minute. The saw stroke can be up to 32 mm. It is necessary to take care of it in the same way as for a regular electric hawk. There is a special hole in the saw blade into which machine oil drips from time to time. The saw is cooled through the ventilation holes in the housing. Such a tool makes it possible to quickly and correctly saw aerated concrete blocks of different sizes.

Hand saw application

Varieties of aerated concrete blocks.

Aerated concrete can be cut with a hand saw. Its design is similar to an ordinary saw for wood, but the thickness of the blade is much greater in order to prevent deformation when sawing solid blocks. This saw is mainly used when the volume of work is small or when laying corner places. It is also convenient to use it to adjust door and window openings. For convenience, before cutting on the block, using a ruler and a pencil, outline the line of the cut.

The saw blade must be made of hard metal. If the blade is long, the blocks can be cut both across and along. Teeth should be rapid or carbide cermet. Having a hard alloy solder on each tooth will make it much easier to work with. Such a saw will have greater wear resistance, it will better transfer loads when cutting aerated concrete. Such a saw can be with one handle or, for more convenience, it can have two handles.

Planer and chaser

Diagram of a chaser for cutting aerated concrete.

When cutting blocks of aerated concrete, it is very difficult to obtain a perfectly flat surface. In order to level the surface as much as possible, a special plane is used when laying the walls. Its wooden base is fitted with segments from a carbide fine-toothed saw. The segments are set at an angle, which allows them to thoroughly clean the unevenness on the blocks. If the teeth are dull, they can be easily sharpened with a triangular file. It is used on each row of masonry, while the consumption of adhesive composition can be reduced.

A wall chaser is another tool that is used when building a house from aerated concrete blocks. With its help, you can easily make different grooves and grooves in a porous material. These grooves will then hide electrical wiring or piping. The tool has a double-sided cutter that bolts to the hand holders. The pressure on the cutters is evenly distributed due to the two handles, and the work can be done faster, with high precision.

Before cutting the aerated concrete blocks, the necessary measurements are made and the markings are applied with a pencil using a ruler on the aerated concrete block. For convenience, when the tool is moving, a rail is placed under it. The cutting element is made of carbide with additional diamond coating.

Wall chasers can be manual or electric.

The electric tool has a rotary body with multiple incisors. The rotary disc can be up to 150 mm in diameter, it is fixed in the same way as on a grinder. In order not to make great efforts, there are rubber rollers that move along the working surface. The rotation of the incisors occurs with the help of an electric motor, which can be of different power.

So, the main tools with which you can cut aerated concrete as quickly as possible are considered.

and more new tools appear these days. But the listed ones are already proven and reliable. Using them, you can be sure of a quality result. The main thing is to make the right choice of tool before cutting aerated concrete blocks.