Cutting Concrete with a Circular Saw

In this video, we are cutting concrete with a circular saw aka skil saw. The blade that I am using is a Bosch DB741C 7-Inch Premium Segmented Diamond Blade. These blades can be used to cut cement either wet or dry. Dry cutting will create more dust. Wet cutting requires the saw to be plugged into a GFI outlet for electrical safety. I used a 3M Dual cartridge respirator assembly to keep out the concrete dust while cutting with the diamond blade. The Bosch segmented diamond blade cut with ease and allowed for a clean edge when breaking out concrete to replace the floor drain trap.
Links to supplies needed for this job.
Bosch Saw Blade: amzn.to/2ZdCd3v
3M Respirator: amzn.to/3pxoIs8
Rubber Gloves: amzn.to/2VUvitK
Inline GFI: amzn.to/2V7RXpH
As a member of the amazon.com affiliate program, I make a small commission when amazon links are clicked through these videos. This helps fund future content and video equipment. This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

[@therealdiehl4671]

I was doing this on a side walk in the front yard, with a very cheap plastic housing circular saw, don't remember the brand. All of the sudden the shaft sheared off. The blade took off and motored across the yard into the street. I started checking limbs to make sure I had all of my parts. Thank the Lord for his protection.

[@wwaynemcg]

Good video. One caution would be for concrete that has rebar or reenforcement wire embedded. You'll tell by the sparks. One other comment - if you're doing this in a driveway to repair cracks or spalling, it is not necessary to go full-depth. A partial depth repair will be quicker and be just as complete. Just 1.5" or 2" depth will be sufficient; just let the bottom portion remain. Don't forget to put a dummy joint in the repair, same spot as the original. To each his own on the corners. You can cut PAST the other cut if you want a complete cut corner; or, cut TO the other cut then chisel out the remaining concrete left in the corner.

[@kt6144]

use safety goggles man!!! if u get hit in the eye, you will have to go to an ER asap: I've seen it happen so don't mess around. SAFETY FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@briandrum1]

His glasses may very be safety goggles. I know a TON of people who are contractors that have prescription glasses that are also safely goggles

[@notimeforjokes.3570]

Go to bed mom we’re fine.

[@RoyalCanadianMountedGambler]

Pun intended lol?

[@GoliathsChamp]

Thank you for showing us the breaking of the cement at the end.

[@Believer21777]

Outstanding Sir I am an Instructor in a Job Coprs cement mason program and you checked all the boxes .I show this video to my students for their first impression of concrete cutting with a circular saw and you are very safe .One recommendation Use knee pads helps keep the knees from getting wet and sore .Years of working in the field have taught me that . Thank you.

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Thank you and thank you for the tip! You are right about the knee pads.

[@rosto99]

Followed all your recommendations and it worked flawlessly. Never believed I would be able to cut through a cement floor and with a 7" Black&Decker circular saw! Thanks so much!

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

That's awesome! Glad it all worked out for you. Makes the job pretty easy.

[@cherylmcdaniel-thomas1800]

This was really helpful! Don’t forget that there are girls that think this is cool, too! I need to cut some channels to the opening for my sump pump, as I’m getting a little pooling around it. Thanks for this!

[@eaglerider94]

So, did you ever cut those channels? If so, how did it turn out using the saw. I need to cut a section out of a walkway in order to repair a leaking sprinkler pipe.

[@_1ben]

Is the water for dust control only? Better cutting? Longer blade life ? Anybody?

[@natec9420]

It’s for all three of those points. It keeps the blade cool, lubricates the blade, and helps keep dust down.

[@forrestgump5605]

It works, but I wouldn't use my circular saw. The saw blade is $30, and left my saw in terrible shape. The concrete slurry gets into the saw motor and gummed up the saw so bad that I couldn't use it again. You can rent saws specifically for concrete for less than $100.

[@KevinB_123]

Thank you for making this video, it’s very helpful. I will be doing this on my project.

[@mikyboy7771]

Don't use your best saw... you'll have to clean it and the concrete slaw gets in every crevice...

[@Dasecurityguy5765]

Wow, I never really thought about using my own regular saw. I only have to make 2 or 3 short cots on the edge of a patio slab to run my electrical conduit for my hot tub! THANKS for an amazingly simple idea... just have to be safe!

[@michaeldrossos8836]

Just clean your saw well if it's not dedicated "rock" saw...it's a mess.

[@robertpenna5558]

I recommend a setting up a vacuum to help with the dust. Thank you for the video!

[@kim99may]

Yes! I wish I was there when my contractor cut into the concrete and shower pan. It dusted out the entire house.

[@mgherter]

THIS. In my bathroom I don't have a place for the water to go if I did use it, so I did this dry. The shop-vac helped but I'm also glad I put up plastic to keep the dust in the room as much as I could. It's even worse than drywall somehow!

[@tarassu]

That saw is wet. Extremely dangerous. Those gloves might have saved you.

[@deaneng8540]

I definitely connect your power cord to a GFCI with all that water just in case if you had a faulty saw. Thanks for the video!

[@michaeldrossos8836]

...it was connected-he just called it GFI.

[@tyler7146]

It is… can you not see?

[@gerardjones7881]

Try a clear plastic face shield . Saw shrapnel hurts.

[@barrypickles6546]

I have wondered about power tools and water as I have done this myself, they are usually double insulated but still if that water jumps into the motor, at best a knackered tool.

[@Pallidus_Rider]

Should wait for blade to stop spinning before taking it out of kerf?

[@Blakerudo]

The world needs more people like you.

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

The world needs more people like you also! Thanks for the great comment.

[@Sheltieist]

I have a worm drive skill saw, will water damage the circular saw? I thought you could still get shocked, even tho plugged into GFI.

[@Jasonsfarm]

I have to make a few interior cuts. I've used gas powered saws before, but it never clicked that there are concrete blades for a handheld circular saw. Thanks for sharing!

[@trabbin8]

Great video, very helpful thanks for taking time to make/publsih it! I might only (ever so gently!) suggest better + wrap around eye protection in case concrete chips fly off or ricochet - regular eye glasses aren't optimal in that sense again that's merely my 0.02. *Thanks again CSGL* !

[@camilorylan138]

You all prolly dont care at all but does any of you know of a trick to get back into an instagram account? I was dumb forgot the account password. I would love any assistance you can offer me.

[@camilorylan138]

@Henrik Salvador I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@camilorylan138]

@Henrik Salvador It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass :D

[@henriksalvador8958]

@Camilo Rylan No problem :)

[@averagealice8877]

So what do you do if there's no convenient hole in the ground to collect the water? Put rags around and keep mopping?

[@kim99may]

Try to create a barrier for the water like you said a couple of old big towels. Also set up a vacuum to help collect the dust as you cut. 😊

[@tonyleclezio4248]

How hard is it to cut through the reinforcing bars within the concrete ? does it slow you down and does it break teeth off the saw blade ?

[@mgherter]

Tough, this isn't the right kind of blade for that. What's worked for me is to kind of cut around them (you'll end up making more cuts in the concrete), and then when you have a good view of the rebar come in with either a reciprocating saw with a Diablo blade or switch to a circular saw blade that is for metal cutting. Rebar absolutely adds a PITA factor to something like this, but it can be done. It just takes a lot longer.

[@tomgill6445]

This is a scary video.

[@matters2842]

Or maybe you're just a puuussay?

[@DavidVanHelden1]

I was beginning to think this was nothing but a safety video...

[@silviofontana3666]

a ceter cut would have made your sledge hammering easier. good work, big balls for the wet cut on this type of saw,

[@Chad-ski]

Thank you for his video. I’ve been going to start a project for some time now and was going to use some type of grinder. I recently bought a circular saw will use that 👍

[@robertgonzalez7760]

L0]0

[@negotiator96]

G.F.I.= STOP! POP! SHUT THEM DOWN OPEN UP SHOP!!!! 😂 😂 😆

[@rubiorocks]

This is exactly what I was looking for and I do have a circular saw. Thank you

[@charleswilson4598]

Just Curious. I have an oldie but goodie Black and decker SawCat 7 1/4 in circular saw. Great saw. I noticed you were using an older B&D saw.

[@edbrandt8972]

Has anyone used the Diablo DMADS0700 7 in. Diamond Segmented Cut-Off Discs for Masonry? I need to cut through a section of a concrete patio to repair an issue with a septic drain line. thanks...

[@charliesteltondj]

Thanks! My wife recently cut her foot from a clothesline pole. My mission is to cut the cement out from where a clothesline used to be. The previous owner of the home I live in now cut the pole but decided not to take out the damn cement. I have a circular saw but do not know which one to use to cut the cement buried in the ground. Would this work?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

The saw will cut the cement but since it is probably very deep, you will need to probably waffle cut it and then smash out what you can. If you can get it a few inches below the surface you can cover it with dirt and plant grass seed. Depending on how wide the diameter of the pour is, you can also try just sledge hammering it to break it up. Definitely wear long pants and a face shield though because you will have to hit pretty hard which could cause some small pieces to go flying.

[@alycewich4472]

You could also dig it up. That's what I do when I have an exposed piece of post. That way it's gone forever. If you have heavy clay soil, it may take a few days as the dirt will be close to impossible to dig. I dig until I can't get any more dirt up, then fill the hole to the top with water. Repeat as necessary. If the cement is really deep you can try digging out around the cement, get a farm jack and some chain and see if you can yank it out that way.

[@BobsWoodStuff]

Great video. This is exactly what I need to do, and now I know to use a GFI and to keep water on it.

[@breakdance4cash228]

Great tips! But get yourself some knee pads bro

[@jeffinthewild9876]

Yes

[@IceAge20017]

I might get a job doing this. Thanks.

[@monk1100]

Are you mot to bothered about kickback with this method, will this happen.

[@lindamcentaffer5969]

Pretty Cool. I'd bet that respirator is better than an N-95 mask, (which will only stop spit).

[@Gilbertory]

How thick was the concrete?

[@SecondHandJan]

I want to make my front lawn larger and cut a small portion of the driveway away. Could this work on a cement driveway as well?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Yes, this should work.

[@kevinrenn9123]

when you fill in this cut, do you put rebar in the walls before pouring?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

If it is a large enough area I would put re-bar. For this little rectangle I didn't and it has held up perfect. It doesn't hurt to throw some tapcons into the sides of a hole like this to make extra sure the concrete will tie into the old stuff well.

[@stevecoil8818]

Hey thanks for doing this video. I need to put conduit under a walkway and I didn’t want it use a jack hammer so I really appreciate your taking a stab at it with a Skill saw.

[@awgall]

GREAT VIDEO! Thank you for all of the insights!

[@Gilbertory]

Can I cut in an ankle instead of straight down?

[@james_chatman]

Do you think this will work on a concrete driveway?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Yes, it could be a little thicker though. You should be able to score it and sledge hammer it out. Just make sure to wear a face shield and thick clothes in case of any projectiles.

[@davidhou5235]

Hello, is there any profesional corded circular saw can work with water? thank you

[@unitedspacepirates9075]

24 billion dollar border wall defeated with a common wet saw :(

[@AllTheDips]

Well 24 billion is way high... but landmines would be cheaper right?

[@eduardo7cl]

@@AllTheDips lol nice grammer

[@bertlarsen3202]

Ummm, no wall or wall lol I choose wall!! Considering there's no outlets hahahaha

[@BillSW]

rebar. doh!

[@unitedspacepirates9075]

@@BillSW lol abrasive saws cut steel as easy as concrete, lasers are great for cutting things like setting Assange free, police reform, removal of confederate soldier statues, and more.

[@caffrey9]

Totally working well for me The blade really gets after it

[@egu5100]

How much cleanup did you have to do afterwards? Did dust go all throughout your basement?

[@lilsleepy9744]

This my real top g 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@juanminute4811]

Can this cut through Reinforced concrete slab?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

Yes, it will cut through reinforced concrete. Depending on how much cutting you need to do, you may burn up the blade at some point.

[@juanminute4811]

@@CoolStuffGuysLikeoh great, thanks!

[@Ondeadroost]

Can this saw cut reinforce steel??

[@mrri8166]

Can it used to cut 90 degree concrete?

[@Muspellalex]

Se puede dame la sierra si le entra agua??

[@alycewich4472]

🤣

[@alexezeoke]

Thanks...I will be trying this soon.

[@noamavrahamdudai8306]

Great job. . I just don't understand how the water don't burning the electric saw ...how is your saw works after all that work? Great video Thanks

[@viperstrike3827]

It is hell on a saw dont do it to a nice one

[@memyselfi7292]

I'm not a dude and I love this kind of stuff!

[@s4t4n96]

no need to be a dude to like manual labor, fuck the norms be a manual dudette !!

[@knowthycell]

Well, you can be if ya want

[@memyselfi7292]

@@knowthycell lol....na I will keep the anatomy God gave me.

[@knowthycell]

Me MySelfi amen to that

[@notimeforjokes.3570]

I’d like to see these videos with real life dudes sawing asbestos concrete with their shirt off, half drunk and smoking a cigarette. That’s really how america was built.

[@paulroberts7859]

Not good and not made for this blades

[@milehigh3054]

Dang I need you to come to my house and repair our floor drain. Lol

[@OthmanAlikhan]

Thanks for the video =)

[@tommysmith9411]

Thank you for the video

[@omarghamdioa7165]

you shouls not use BLACK&DECKER saw for concrete, if that BLACK&DECKER machine fail apart or looses a part of it you won't find spare part for it. because BLACK&DECKER don't provide'em in the agent store. BLACK&DECKER sucks

[@alycewich4472]

Maybe that's why he is using it as I'm not sure how well the saw would work after doing that to it!

[@tylermundy7985]

Good stuff, thank you!

[@tucobenedicto109]

If i have a new cordless brushless miluakee circular will it work will it damage the saw. Have to make a whole in asphalt for bolard same size. Good respirator for silicates!

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

It will work but I can't say that it will be great for the saw. If you are outside and can blow the dust away it might be a little better. I have an old beater circular saw that I use for stuff like metal and concrete and a wood only saw. I would get a cheap harbor freight or Craigslist saw and avoid the wear from the concrete dust on your good saw.

[@workunion76]

I have the Milwaukee cordless saw and was debating the same question. Adding a catch basin outside.

[@smw381st]

Yeah the dust can destroy the armature in the saw!

[@Carl-LaFong1618]

I just spent an hour breaking down and cleaning my mag 77 worm drive. The wet cement turns into muck and goes into the blade guard and housing. Then it re-dries.... AS CONCRETE. Soon as you are done, get a hose and clean that thing out before it dries up like a brick.

[@smw381st]

guess I should have done that with my saw but that was months ago and I think the saw still works and I am done using it for that!

[@robertodebeers2551]

Good presentation. Thanks!!

[@tamikamcfarlaneleadon1081]

Very interested this is my husband field.. Great Job thank you for sharing this information I will be sure to have a conversation about it with Adrian..

[@Fountainwell49man]

Does the US have IP ratings? iP64 or IP65 seems appropriate. This saw is not appropriate.

[@MP-zf7kg]

yes, it works. the problem is that a 7-inch circ blade isn't going to slice all the way through a 3-1/2" or 4" concrete slab; even if you take the shoe off it still won't be enough.

[@cryangallegos]

No, but the score lines will make the hole or trench pretty clean. I just did this yesterday. Found out my slab is 5" thick. Sledge wouldn't break it, and I didn't want to crack the concrete outside the walls of the hole anyways. Used an air hammer and chisel to carefully break it up. Took awhile, but worked flawlessly.

[@wwaynemcg]

Most sidewalks, slabs and driveways are seldom more than 3.5" anyway. See my comment about partial depth repair.

[@travisking4390]

What was the point of cutting it with that tiny ass blade again? Not to be rude, but why would you want to? Unless you are chasing cracks to seal them.

[@travisking4390]

Mr Sir if that’s all you have, then I guess. All that blade is really doing though is scaring it. That concrete is at least 4 inches deep “probably deeper”. So he is not by any means cutting all the way through. It should also have mesh if not rebar. So when he hits the area within the cut, the impact of the hammer will effect the masonry surrounding. Could lead to damage later on.

[@michaeldrossos8836]

@Mr Sir if nothing else creating a large enough "crack" that would create a weakness...that should prevent cracking from spidering outward....I've seen plumbers use this where they have to install a drain in basement (generally thinner concrete)...or even where they want to chip out To move plumbing in concrete slab... and I had success with it when I needed to remove a person of sidewalk for drain system. It was more work but saved time in long run not needing to run rent cement saw

[@michaeldrossos8836]

@Mr Sir absolutely...I only know because I used this method a couple of years on a thinner side walk. Current project at new house sees thwdriveway filled with granite...rebar reinforced and about 6-7" thick...so would never work haha... Just a word of caution (I'm no "pro" but I've done a fair amount of diy)..,be very careful about electrical/plumbing/gas lines especially in old buildings as "code" has changed and lots of people would repair things and not pull permits back in the day. Nearly found this out the hard way as electric was 1" under the slab...

[@alycewich4472]

@@michaeldrossos8836 WOW! Glad you lived to tell the tale!@

[@babyotha5442]

My backyard is concrete I want to male a hole for tree

[@terrythomas790]

You might need a concrete cutting lawnmower blade if the yard is concrete.

[@nicolebraxton6273]

What blade did you use

[@alycewich4472]

He's got it in the notes.

[@adrianmcardle85]

Yes you can but wouldn't an angle grinder be better

[@kckoellein]

Angle grinder is good for freehanding tight spaces... but the ability to rest the saw on the floor is invaluable!

[@bonarlibor3067]

@@kckoellein agreed, I have a grinder & demo saw and after seeing this I'm going to try find that blade. The circular saw that sits in my cupboard for months at a time with no use is about to get a work out lol.

[@ateaseremodeling8660]

Those filters on your mask are for organic vapor, not particulates FYI

[@daviddobuzinsky3803]

Thanks for the info. I will try to cut my foundation to widen my garage a foot. It will beat renting a demo saw.

[@jmack619]

how did that work out ??

[@daviddobuzinsky3803]

@@jmack619 It worked fine. Just wear a respirator.

[@slinkydonkey]

Isn't there a risk of electrocution using a mains powered device like that?

[@CoolStuffGuysLike]

You need to plug into a GFCI outlet or an extension cord with a GFI on it as outlined in the video. In the event of a short, the circuit will trip. As a second layer of safety, rubber gloves and shoes don't hurt.

[@Mach2point5]

@@CoolStuffGuysLike Worth noting that the GFCI will only protect you if your power tool has a 3 prong grounded cord. All my power tools are 2 prong only.

[@lavarat]

@@Mach2point5 GFCI works on 2 prong cord. If the current going in doesn't equal the current going out because of a short, the GFCI will cut the power. GFCI's can be used to replace the outlets on old houses without ground wires to offer more protection against shorts.

[@Mach2point5]

@@lavarat Cool, I learnt something new today. Thanks.

[@alycewich4472]

@@Mach2point5 You must have really old stuff.

[@abdelalfituri1032]

V

[@abdelalfituri1032]

.

[@brianfogiel9118]

Panzy safety geek

[@tehahn1]

damn dude... are you going to cut the concrete or describe each tick on your watch. hate it when people waste half the video talking about it.

[@kim99may]

When you are new to doing something I appreciate the creator describing all the steps and why! ❤❤❤

[@alycewich4472]

@@kim99may 🎯💯💯💯