As concrete gains popularity in the municipal, commercial and residential world, the need for specialized tools to work with this durable material increases.  Concrete core drills are a must-have for construction and utility workers alike.  Core drilling machines and core drilling bits are useful tools for cable installers, electricians, plumbers, and air conditioning technicians.

Core Drilling Machines

Core drilling machines are a form of drill used by a variety of industries, but particularly the concrete industry, that drill a hole and, upon removal of the drill bit, extracts a core sample.  A concrete core drill is equipped with a specialized bit that not only drills into the concrete, but because the core drill bit is hollow, it drills into the concrete and extracts the material, leaving a perfectly cylindrical hole with which to work.  These concrete core extractions may even be tested to determine strength and durability. While popular for use with concrete, core drilling machines are also good to use with wood, stone, and even ice.  These particular tools are useful for the installation of plumbing systems, and even for electrical wiring or cable installation.  Heating ventilation and air conditioning systems require large, cored-out holes for the creation of ducts, which aids in creating climate-controlled areas of homes and businesses.  With the right concrete drill bits, concrete drilling machines are able to cut neat, clean holes with diameters ranging from three-fourths of an inch to six feet.

As with all concrete cutting power tools and machines, it is important to use the proper safety gear when using core drill bits especially when dry cutting concrete.  Make sure you wear protective eye coverings and a mask or respirator over your nose and throat.  Dust particulates that are released while cutting can cause serious health problems when inhaled.

U.S.SAWS’ Cordless Core EZ

U.S.SAWS’ Cordless Core EZ is a top-of-the-line, high-precision core drilling machine.  This machine is lightweight, comparatively speaking, weighing in at sixty-five pounds.  No offset holes are required with this tool because traditional rigs are not necessary, as the Cordless Core EZ is mounted on a center guidepost.  The center guide post works by drilling an anchor hole, setting an anchor pin, removing the nuts from the anchor bolt, mounting the guidepost, adjusting the anchor point, and tightening the guidepost until it is secured and centered.  It’s important to ensure the guidepost is well lubricated and clean.  Then the gearbox and grinder are slid over the guidepost and locked in via the locking pin on the hex drive.  This guidepost allows for accurate and efficient drilling, by reducing vibration and supporting the weight of the core drilling machine throughout the entire drilling process.  The Cordless Core EZ makes easy work of all vertical drilling floors and horizontal drilling walls, with clear instructions for the easy removal of the related cores.  This entire unit comes with a wheeled carrying case for easy portability.

Core Drill Accessories

Besides supplying top-of-the-line core drilling machines, U.S.SAWS is also the place for all of your quality core drill accessories.  Better quality tools and accessories will increase the likelihood of the accurate and successful performance of the tools.  The Premium Core Bits are the right core drill bits for the Core EZ.  These high-end drill bits make easy work of advanced coring in concrete, brick, and block.  The drill bits are available in sizes ranging from three-inch bits to ten-inch bits.  U.S.SAWS also supplies a reputable Hudson Sprayer.   This 3.5-gallon sprayer makes the perfect water supply piece for your Core EZ for all of your wet cutting and wet drilling needs.  For all of those times you find yourself needing to drill at an angle, U.S.SAWS offers an Angle Drilling Washer, making the job that much easier. These washers are important to have, especially in those tight-fitting situations where angled holes are necessary.  Finally, the Cordless Core EZ’s mounted guide post system requires a top-rated concrete anchor to ensure stability.  U.S.SAWS offers a 3/8’-16 x 5” length zinc plated concrete anchor to ensure the guidepost system is secure.

Contact U.S.SAWS to discuss how we can make core drilling easier for you.

When it comes to concrete construction jobs, choosing the right concrete cutting saw is key to getting the job done right. Whether that job calls for cutting out windows and doorways, cutting through floor slabs and walls, cleaning out or replacing control joints, drilling perfectly round holes or even cutting straight lines and decorative designs into concrete, there’s a concrete cutting tool specifically designed to get the job done.

Walk-Behind Concrete Saws

Operated much like a lawnmower, walk-behind concrete saws are generally used for sidewalks, driveways, basement and warehouse flooring and even asphalt. They offer much higher horsepower and faster cutting than their handheld counterparts, with blade sizes ranging anywhere between 14 to 32 inches, like this heavy-duty walk-behind air saw featuring 20 inches of blade capacity.

You’ll also find a few different types of walk-behind concrete saws, including early-entry, joint clean-out and crack-chasing saws. Early-entry concrete saws are designed to be much lighter than conventional sawing equipment so they can be used on younger concrete, often as early as the concrete has set.

For jobs that call for cleaning out control joints or routing out cracks, opt for a joint clean-out or a crack-chasing saw. Join clean-out saws are designed for cleaning out existing joints, preparing new joints or removing deteriorating joint material, and can also be used for removing epoxy, polyurea and polyurethane joint filling material. Crack-chasing saws, like the CC-100 model from U.S.SAWS, are ideal for jobs that require routing out random cracks in concrete or asphalt surfaces prior to filling with sealant.

Handheld Concrete Saws

As the name suggests, handheld saws are operated by hand, making them more lightweight and portable than walk-behind saws. They are often best used for smaller jobs, like cutting wall openings, or for quick cuts that don’t require a certain level of accuracy. Handheld concrete saws are further categorized into two different types: chainsaws and hand saws.

Concrete Chainsaws

When it comes to making plunge-cuts for creating joints, cutting out windows and doorways and cutting through floor slabs and walls, the concrete chainsaw is a major contender. Designed to be used just like a wood-cutting chainsaw, these handheld saws use specially designed chains for cutting through concrete, including standard concrete chains used for dry-sawing, like the TwinMAX-32 Plus from U.S.Saws, and diamond chains used for wet-sawing, like the 20″ ProForce Concrete Diamond Chain. In terms of power options, you’ll find plenty to choose from, including heavy-duty gas-powered models like this beauty or like this beauty and air-powered chainsaws like this model by U.S.SAWS.

Concrete Hand Saws

Also known as cut-off saws, concrete hand saws are often the go-to tool for most concrete cutting jobs. Available in gas, hydraulic, electric and air-powered models, concrete hand saws are preferred for their speed, portability and accessibility. Air-powered hand saws, like this model from U.S.SAWS, serve as an environmentally-friendly and safe alternative to their gas-powered counterparts but also deliver less power. For jobs that require exceptional power, a gas-powered concrete hand saw is the way to go, like this Husqvarna K1260-14 7.8hp Saw featuring an impressive 7.8 hp output and 14-inch blade guard.

Types of Concrete Saw Blades

In addition to choosing the right saw for the job, another trick to concrete cutting is choosing the right blade for the job. Just chainsaws, concrete hand saws can be used for both dry-sawing and wet-sawing, and each method requires a specific type of blade.

Designed to prevent overheating during dry-cutting. abrasive blades are commonly used for jobs requiring shallow, intermittent cutting and are the preferred choice for indoor jobs due to easy cleanup. However, they also reduce in size with continued use, making them better suited for smaller jobs.

Unlike abrasive blades, diamond blades do not reduce in size with continuous usage, making them ideal for bigger jobs but prone to overheating and unsuitable for dry-sawing. Best used for wet-sawing, diamond blades feature layered segments of diamond particles that drop off with each use to reveal a fresh row of particles until the blade is ready to be replaced. They’re often preferred for their precise cutting abilities, durability and minimal dust production with the wet-sawing technique, but also require more clean-up due to the sludge-like mixture accumulated by dust and water.

More Concrete Cutting Tools

Some concrete cutting jobs require a tool with a specific set of skills. For example, a concrete hand saw could be an option for cutting straight lines or etching designs into concrete, but would also require extremely steady hands and a high level of accuracy. And when it comes to cutting perfectly round holes into concrete, none of the aforementioned concrete saws are fit for the job. This is where core drillers and decorative concrete saws come in.

Concrete Core Drillers

When the job calls for running cable lines, HVAC ducting and sprinkler systems through concrete structures, a concrete core driller is the best tool for the job. Specifically designed to cleanly drill holes into concrete, these handy tools come in a few different options, including electric-powered models like this high precision drilling machine from U.S.SAWS, and cordless models like the Cordless Core EZ Kit, complete with batteries, a battery charger, a gearbox and wheeled case for easy portability.

More on Concrete Construction Tools

Concrete cutting saws aren’t the only tools to consider when planning a construction job. When it comes to grinding down uneven concrete slabs, leveling out joints, removing stubborn glue, smoothing and polishing surfaces, or even cleaning industrial contaminants, a concrete grinder is another solid investment. Learn more in our guide to choosing the right concrete grinder.

Why You Need a Concrete Floor Grinder

When it comes to all-in-one construction tools, a concrete floor grinder is a must. Whether the job involves grinding down uneven concrete slabs, leveling joints, removing stubborn tile or vinyl glue, smoothing and polishing surfaces, or even cleaning industrial contaminants, these powerful machines eliminate the need for chemical etching, making quick work out of concrete surfacing jobs both big and small, However, not all concrete grinders are created equally, which means choosing the best one for the job is key to getting it done right.

Which Floor Grinder is Right for You?

Concrete floor grinders come available in two different sizes: handheld and stand-up. Handheld floor grinders are great for tight spaces but can be limiting when used for bigger projects. On the other hand, stand-up grinders are usually about the size of a standard vacuum and offer several advantages over their handheld counterpart, including getting the job done faster and easier.

Weight is an important factor in concrete surface grinding and polishing. While handheld grinders may come with the convenience of portability at a lower price, they come with the additional cost of time and labor – not to mention a much larger margin for error.

Applying even weight distribution when grinding or polishing a concrete surface can be challenging to achieve when using a handheld grinder – especially when its operation requires getting on the hands and knees. On the other hand, stand-up concrete grinders allow users to keep their feet on the ground while the machine’s weight does the work for them, making them ideal for both large jobs or simply getting any job done more efficiently.

When it comes to choosing the best concrete floor grinder for your needs, you’ll also find two different types to choose from: planetary and rotary. The main difference between the two is in the configuration of the machine’s grinding discs and weight.

Planetary vs. Rotary Concrete Grinders

Named for its similarity to how the solar system works, planetary grinders are configured with one large plate that serves as the central point to several smaller discs that rotate at different speeds using belts and pulleys. The smaller discs do all of the grinding and polishing while the large plate stays in its central position, never coming into contact with the floor. Planetary grinders are generally lightweight and easy to maneuver in a straight line, making them an excellent option for less intensive tasks like smoothing a garage floor.

Rotary concrete grinders are much heavier than their planetary counterparts and are best used for larger, more aggressive jobs. Instead of a belt and pulley system, rotary grinders use heavy-duty geared construction. When it comes to plate configuration, rotary grinders use either one or two large rotating discs or several small rotating discs that directly grind or polish the floor. While the heavier weight can help speed up the process, it also makes the machine much harder to maneuver, thus requiring a higher skill level.

While both have their pros and cons depending on the job, one of the most significant advantages planetary grinders have over rotary grinders is the ability to cover larger surface areas with its multiple rotating discs evenly. This gives the machine much better balance compared to its one- or two-headed counterpart, thus offering more even weight distribution and less operator fatigue. When you add its ease of use to its lighter weight, it’s obvious the planetary grinder is the way to go. The next step is finding the best one to get the job done.

Introducing the VSG-10 Stand Up Variable Speed Grinder 242

If you’re looking for the best concrete grinder for both large and small jobs, then look no further than the VSG-10 Stand Up Variable Speed Grinder by U.S.SAWS. Built with a 115V motor to make finding a power supply easy, the VSG-10 is configured with a large grinding plate that fits either 3 or 6 “fast change” diamond segments available in various bonds grits. Complete with Velcro resin holders, you’ll find that any 3″ resin, ceramic or hybrid tooling works great with this powerful yet lightweight machine that requires no more than two people to lift up or down a flight of stairs.

Coming in at 175 pounds, this lightweight champion can handle both large and small jobs, from quickly prepping or polishing a 2-3 car garage to serving as an edger in tight spaces where larger grinders just won’t fit. It also makes an excellent coating removal tool when used with PCD segments. For example, the 2 Quarter Round PCD Fast Change Removal Wing is ideal for aggressive jobs like removing thick coatings, epoxy, urethane, and other membranes. At the same time, the #16/20 Grit Premium Double Bar Wing is ideal for smoothing and cleaning, and coating removal, depending on the grit selected.

 

When it comes to getting the job done faster, easier, and more efficiently, there’s no better concrete floor grinder than the VSG-10 Stand Up Variable Speed Grinder from U.S.SAWS.

US Saws holds a unique position in North America’s concrete cutting and grinding industry. It is a medium-sized company focusing on customized machinery and accessories and enjoying the advantage of creativity and flexibility that the industry’s behemoths can only envy. Andrei Bushmarin reports from its factory in Santa Ana, Calif.

North America is a trendsetter and arguably the world’s biggest market in surface preparation. It boasts numerous players all jostling for a leading position in the industry. In order to survive and thrive in this cutthroat environment, suppliers need to offer first-rate products backed by superior service. It was around this principle that US Saws’ founders built their company. Three musketeers the original firm, called Sawtec, was established by Bill Glynn Sr, Warren Duncan, and Bruce Root in 1991. Friends since high school, Glynn and Root gained experience in construction machinery working at a company called Sinco, which manufactured air-powered saws. Sinco was also the first supplier in the US to sell dry diamond blades. New Zealand-born Duncan is an engineer with a degree from Auckland University and many patents to his name. He already had considerable experience of surface preparation in the early 90s, when the industry was still in its infancy. But, the growth potential was obvious. Duncan met Glynn on a construction project in New York, and they soon decided to launch their own surface preparation company, Sawtec. Several years later its steady progress attracted the attention of US Filter/Blastrac. In 1998, Blastrac acquired the controlling interest in Sawtec. Three years later, Duncan, Glynn, and Root joined forces again and set up US Saws. Because a non-competition agreement with Blastrac precluded them serving the surface preparation industry, US Saws focused on equipment and tools for underground utilities. Solutions for the water and sewer sector currently remain a core business for the company. Generation change and buyout In 2011, Glynn’s sons Dave and Bill Jr. joined the company, having previously gained considerable experience of surface national sales of equipment for underground utilities, product development, and finance. Coast-to-coast coverage US Saws maintains three depots strategically positioned to provide full service across North America. All manufacturing is done at the factory in Santa Ana, where some of the company’s most loyal customers are based. As the majority of its business is on the East Coast, the company set up its headquarters and main sales office in Tampa, Fla. The company also runs a small sales and stock facility in Connecticut to address the needs of customers in the Northeast. Keeping manufacturing and sales facilities apart was a conscious decision aimed at helping each department focus on its respective tasks. A trailblazer in surface preparation expertise and solutions for underground utilities are the two legs that US Saws stand on. In the surface preparation business, accounting for some 40 percent of sales, the company enjoys the reputation of an innovator. In the late 1990s, US Saws invented and patented technology of dust-free grinding of industrial floors, built around an in house designed vacuum shroud. This was a groundbreaking invention that put the company ahead of its rivals and became a signature product. US Saws was also the first to develop stand up versions of hand grinders. Thanks to the smart design, the system gives the feel of a hand-held machine while providing the benefit of standing. The most current model incorporates pitch and roll control of the grinding head from a standing position. US Saws currently offers a full range of grinder vacuum shrouds along with a choice of joint cleanout saws, crack chasing saws, dust collectors, and two-part joint filler pumps. The CC100 walk-behind crack chaser has a height adjustment within the wheel directly beside the blade. This solution allows the entire machine to pivot at the blade without the influence of castors, which increases reliability. Dave Glynn says that customers often spark the most original of the company’s ideas; all the manufacturer has to do is listen to The extensive field experience that Dave and Bill Jr. have gained during their tenure as contractors also help them better understand users’ needs and requirements.

Bright outlook for the industry The company is upbeat about the surface preparation industry’s prospects. According to Dave Glynn, it will continue to grow at a steady pace as polished concrete and epoxy coatings are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners and managers of industrial facilities. Polished concrete has proven itself as a sustainable flooring solution while the resinous flooring market, boasting innovative systems with metallic reflectors and other decorative elements, is constantly expanding, particularly in the high-end residential market. There will always be a demand for coatings among owners of food-processing facilities, airplane hangars, and parking garages. Another positive trend, notes Dave, is that more people are becoming educated on the importance of surface preparation. As such, they are less inclined to economize when carrying out a renovation. New horizons are beckoning Having secured its position in North America’s market, US Saws is now looking to expand internationally on a larger scale. Currently, its overseas sales account for about 1 percent, so the company is looking for partners outside the US. Apart from comprehensive expertise in surface preparation, US Saws has other innovative solutions to offer to domestic and international customers. The Core-EZ core drilling system and cordless valve exerciser are examples. The Core-EZ is a mounted handheld system effectively combining the precision of a rig-mounted drill with compactness and ease of operation of a hand-held machine. It breaks down to a compact size making transportation and set-up much easier. The system is fixed on to a wall at the center of the core so there are no additional mounting holes that would need patching-up once the job is done. The Core-EZ delivers cordless drilling in reinforced concrete with a 78.7-in (200mm) core bit up to 112.2 in (285mm), which is unmatched by competing systems. The manufacturer foresees a bright future for it, particularly with heavy-duty drillers. A battery-powered version is available on sites without mains electricity. The valve exerciser is US Saws’ fastest-growing product in the water and sewer division. Featuring a foot restraint, the battery-powered machine is portable and powerful. It turns in forward and reverse directions, and has a counter to count turns on the valve. Another niche product from US Saws is a line of air-powered saws. According to the company, air saws are a viable alternative in situations when gas, hydraulics or electricity cannot be used. These machines will be on display at the World of Concrete show in January 2018 along with a new joint saw, a redesigned dust shroud for hand grinders, and a new joint fill polyurea pump.