The Fastest Way To Saw Cut Your Expansion/Contraction Joints In Concrete Floors & Slabs

[@eastiowa5551]

We have two of them. Hands down best saws on market. I have rented 2500 and 4200 soft-cuts on bigger parking lot jobs we have done. We always like to saw same day as well. Excellent videos, thank you for making them

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks for watching and your comments, I appreciate it.

[@paulbooij7594]

I am about to start my own business doing control joints. I am cutting about 3 jobs a week right now. I use a small electric saw, but want to cut earlier as I often find cracks on hot days. I am also a concrete finisher in Canada, and the polished look is called burnishing, which is the correct term for polishing things with steel.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We call it burnt finish.

[@columbusmotorhead596]

I have the Husqvarna saw with a Suburu engine on it. I don’t use the guide either. It’s not rigid enough. The saw is great, but we usually cure and seal directly after finishing so we typically cut the following day. We often times will tool one or two joints on a hot day and then make the other cuts the following day with this saw. The only issue I have with same day cutting is having to power wash it before sealing. (Adding another process) and also the way that the concrete dust (almost paste) on same day cutting takes away from the crispness of the joint. I have 35 years as a concrete contractor in the Midwest. And when we finish a garage floor to be “baby butt smooth”, we call it burning it in. I enjoy your videos! Best of luck to you!

[@miketoronto6729]

Wow you have alota big job's, it's impressive, for anybody who need a heads up on cement this is the channel to watch, I can't beleave the information and step by step ,this is the channel,

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Mike, nice comment!

[@willambush7030]

GOOD MORNING MIKE , I DO CUT ALL OF CONTROL JOINTS IN THE SAME DAY . THE SAW THAT I USE SOFT CUT SAW . I BELIEVE IT IS A GREAT PRACTICE TO CUT THESE JOINTS IN THE DAY . MIKE GREAT INFO FROM YOU AS ALWAYS.. THANK YOU...

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks William!

[@cobycorum322]

Great saw!!! I've used one for about three years. Totally worth the money!!!!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

I've got this one and two of the 390's. They're good also.

[@Edwardsconcrete]

I just picked up a soff cut 150 2 months ago and have got to use it on a few jobs now . I'm playing around with when is it time to cut so far about 1hr and a half after I broom ill start doing my cutting . I will say it is nice to cut the same day and move on to the next job and not worry about going back for 15mins of work

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Yea, it depends on how hot outside it is. 2 - 3 hours is usually safe without leaving any lines from the saw.

[@skliros9235]

I've rented one of these recently for a big slab. They're nice. But I recently poured a garage floor and used a cordless circular saw with a porcelain tile blade, and it was a little slower but cut nice thin lines.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Yea, for everyday use this is the best for sure.

[@rivahkillah]

Hey Mike, I 100% agree about using an early entry saw. In addition to saving time, you save the stress worrying about cracks. The company I work for has a couple, including 1 Husqvarna, and TBH there's not much difference between them.

[@philipdove1705]

What do you think of the Milwaukee mx demo saw and depth track setup.

[@guyprattii3115]

I use the rule for how far apart to put the saw cuts as, twice the thickness in inch’s in feet. So a 4” slab would have the squares 8’ by 8’. And a 6” slab 12’ by 12’. You can usually cheat it a couple feet but it’s a good general rule. I also saw 1/4 the thickness of the slab. That helps cut down on cracks right next to the cut.

[@BackInTheGarden]

Hiyah Mike, you're a good guy as far as I can see... and I know a little bit about concrete... once you start, you can't stop til it's done,. May Almighty God bless you and your workmanship.

[@monconserv]

How chipped up do the lines look? It seems like the blades catch on the rocks and pull them up sometimes if I saw cut too early.

[@idicalidical5343]

Nice tips Mike, thanks. I've tried planning ahead to avoid reinforcement being run in the same direction too close to the saw cuts to avoid the occasional weirdness of lateral cracks as you described. Seems to work so far.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Awesome, nice comment. Thanks.

[@allenhelton1]

So I'm getting ready to do a 30×20 garage floor do I need to cut it in the middle to like a cross or a t

[@jonqueen2969]

Husqvarna and soft it have really good saws with ride plates.totally worth the money. Also put cardboard in saw cut at intersection when you cross you won't get any chip out on same day cut slabs

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Cardboard in the cross cuts is a must!

[@Mr.Slime9812]

@@MikeDayConcrete could you explain this better?

[@Tom-yb6sl]

I am from Windsor Ont Canada, I always cut the next day since I do not own a soff cut (sigh). I use a 7" skil saw worm drive concrete saw, works pretty good, but you have to bend over or be on your hands and knees. Love the videos, lots of tips and tricks.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Tom, The saw does make a world of difference. We pour every day and not having to go back and saw is a big deal to us. Some of our jobs are hours away from the previous day. Saves us a lot of time.

[@windsor5195]

625

[@pnutmal]

I have a saw like this for my personal use , side job type stuff . Also my boss bought me one that I keep in my job trailer . And we have the great big ones too for big floors . We always saw if possible the same day basically the only time we don't is if it's in the winter and it just doesn't get hard enough .

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Same here!!

[@cobycorum322]

Any body else having a snow day today ? We worked all weekend ahead of the storm in Missouri. Soo glad to be by the fire today!!

[@sergiomercado5682]

ya.off the next couple days here in Springfield.warming back up after that. typical Missouri weather.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We're getting a lot of snow days lately!

[@Mauricio-we1py]

Mike I just cought up with this previous video of yours, love your work and videos. But how in the hell do you cut without that guide??been running a soffcut for yours now....

[@brettmorrison7018]

Hey mate any tips on re-entry of cuts? (to finish off the end where you started back the other way) many thanks from New Zealand

[@dcbrunk]

look up Crab cut. You can use a piece of plywood too, but its best to back saw off and start into it so you avoid the re entry and also cant blow out the edge as the blade is spinning towards you

[@tomcaflisch7905]

Do you use the soff cut joint protectors? If not have you ever ruined a cut where you went across it?

[@psidvicious]

-Absolutely best to saw cut the same day. It’s just going to take much longer the next day, cuz the concrete is just harder. I’ve had really big slabs before that we were still cutting into the night but we already had the lights there from starting the pour early in the morning so just crank the lights back up and get it done. -When you trowel out a slab to that ‘mirror’ like finish, we always called it, ‘burning it out’. -Agree about the guides that hang out over the front of the machine. They’re useless. Just watch the blade. 🤜🤛

[@willambush7030]

YOU ARE VERY MUCH ON POINT ABOUT THESE LARGE CONCRETE SLABS . THE LARGE FLOORS , WE MACHINE BURN FINISH , AN SAW CUT ALL CONTROL JOINTS IN ASAP . I CAN NOT AFORD TO COME BACK TO CUT THEM IN.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Same day cutting is a must for us. Good comments guys, i appreciate it!

[@augustreil]

Do you ever have to set up sprinklers because the curing/drying is happening to quick ? Thanks and thumbs up.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Sometimes, I usually tell the customer or contractor to do that.

[@stephenborkowsky4212]

Is there anyway to fix a crooked saw cut

[@crispindry]

Fantastic videos Mike, nice of you to share your knowledge.

[@danwalters5198]

I have a soft cut saw, we cut same day. I put a lot of joints in. If it does crack the saw cuts keep your eyes from Focusing in on the Random crack. The reason it cracks more at Corners is the pressure coming down the walls, when the pressure gets to the corner it’s like water being reduced all the sudden from a 4” pipe in to a garden hose. (Boom) What you can do ( but I don’t) is take the time to cut the last 2 or 3 feet from the corner 2-21/2” deep it will help Absorb the pressure. When you see a crack next to a saw cut it usually at the corner because it is overwhelmed by the pressure coming down the wall. But how much extra time are you going to take to do these things when your just getting $1.00 - $2.00 per sq ft. labor. The buying population says if I can get it done 50 cents a square foot cheaper I can live with the crack, which in reality is smaller than the saw cut (just not uniform) a saw cut is really just a crack that is more acceptable because it looks better.

[@christopherlester2440]

Hi Mike, great video. I wish my contractor had one of these saws. I just had a contractor pour an 18 x 24 patio and a 12 x 40 driveway. Everything looked kinda OK until he cut the expansion joints. He used a chop saw and by the looks of it he eyeballed it. The lines are very jagged and not straight. Is there a way to fix this?

[@MikeDayConcrete]

You can fill them and re-cut right next to them. It'll be next to impossible to make them disappear completely no matter what you use to fill them with. I'd use a two part polyurea and sprinkle some white sand on top to blend it with the concrete.

[@christopherlester2440]

Thank you, I’ll have t try that.

[@skygazerII]

I'm going to pour a 10x14 slab with a layer of insulation, six inches thick. Do I need a control joint? I enjoy your videos!

[@ssmith32183]

What do you guys use as a guide instead of the guide? I have a saw like that. If there is a better way I’d like to know.

[@sergiomercado5682]

I'd like to know also.be nice not to have to stop to raise and lower the guide when cutting!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We pick a spot where the guide attaches to the saw. The guide moves too much for us to be really accurate.

[@Brandon-no3vc]

But if you want to polish the concrete and don’t saw lines won’t you get a bunch of cracks? Mise well saw lines? And why is this saw faster then anything else?

[@mannydelacerda4549]

Is this saw only for new concrete ?

[@richardwallace102]

What is the secret to keeping it straight?

[@mannydelacerda4549]

I have a handi-cap ramp at a convenience store that is to smooth and slippery. Its been there about 20 yrs. Could I use the saw to groove ?

[@richardhoner7842]

That would be a lot of work. I think you could resurface the concrete with a rougher finish. Home Depot and Lowes sell different re-surfacing products.

[@camerinojaramillolopez7112]

What type of saw is it? you guys do a great job. I have always used a chopsaw\ with a diamond blade

[@MikeDayConcrete]

It's a Husqvarna X-150. Used to be Soff-Cut.

[@PaulWhitedWoodStoneIron]

All shined up. Burnished. Burnt in. And so much easier with less dust. Yes good saw

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thanks Paul

[@14sleepwalker]

I can't find a soft cut saw for rent where I live and don't want to buy one. Can you use the big concrete saws that they rent?

[@MikeDayConcrete]

You can, just have to saw the next day with those.

[@DIRT-BOSS]

Yeah i need one of those!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Get one, you won't regret it.

[@markrobles4267]

I'm looking at concrete saws, like the Sof-Cut, and the MeduSaw from Skilsaw. I mostly hand tool them, but I like the clean pencil like look more and more

[@bondobuilt386]

Mike I’m definetly considering one of these soft cut saws. We always go back tbe next day and cut with a demo saw up against a 2x6 to a chalk line. Its a real pain and man the dust will fly. I started wearing a respirator. Do you ever get the stones poping out as you cut? The demo saw will pop the stones if you dont wait until the next day. How about when you get off the floor early and its not burnt in as we call it? We try not to burn the pole barns and garages to much because they get so darn slippery we leave a little fuzz as you guys call it. Especially if the customer is going to put cure and seal on the floor. That makes it even more slippery. We do trench drains in garages and pole barns and they can crack real soon so its a pain to go there early the next day to cut them. Stop by my channel (Bondobuilt) and check it out and I'd love some feedback. I’m new to youtube started my channel a year ago. Im always trying to learn more and more about concrete and making videos as well. Regards Ron Bond (Boindobuilt construction)

[@MikeDayConcrete]

The soff cut is designed to cut the same day, it doesn't pop out any stones.

[@bondobuilt386]

Mike Day Everything About Concrete. Thanks mike. I see MK is making a early entry saw as well. Close to the same price but with a Honda motor.

[@AliAkbar-w3v]

Nice

[@paulbooij7594]

Code where I live allows 144 sqft per square.

[@walterhorning6493]

I totally understand about not using the guide to cut. With this saw,. We don't like this saw for that reason, it's built to cheap. We use the core cut xl150. It's a little heavier but it's built better and last longer too.

[@scottv7770]

We call our finish slab like that one a slick finish

[@oso9809]

Cardinal saw and now warrior diamond are better for large slabs. A lot faster. I had both and used the husqvarna for basements because it’s light.

[@bigdog2473]

We call it a slick finish

[@shawnparsons6638]

Corecut early entry saw is 1000x better.

[@shawnparsons6638]

Also I love your videos great information.

[@aarongrabowski5620]

If we have something small and far from home, we use zip strips instead of cutting it

[@bryanthomas544]

Do you RIP the edge off and leave the rest in the slab?

[@aarongrabowski5620]

Yes you rip off the top portion which is black

[@MikeDayConcrete]

We used to use zip strip all the time before the early entry saws came out. On large floors, 10,000 sf and up that was a real pain in the ars.

[@aarongrabowski5620]

Mike Day Everything About Concrete you bet

[@aaronbryant8315]

Burnt up is what we call it

[@copo3019]

I've owned and used several of these soft cut Saw's! So when you say you don't use the guide that is on the saw because you can cut straiter without it, that fucking crazy!!!! Those guides are on there for a proven reason. STRAITER CUTS!!!!!!! I can cut right next to you; I will use the guide and you don't, I will cut much faster and straiter than you can without. Practice with the guide, and you will have much straiter lines

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Corey, the guide on this saw is junk. We'll just do it our way and you do it yours, no big deal is it.

[@MaisonVR24]

Anybody who has ever really used one of these saws knows the front guide is junk! Moves way too much.

[@copo3019]

@@MaisonVR24 there junk when you don't know how to properly set up and use the guide; there is a little learning curve, but I guess some dropouts don't want to spend the proper time to learn how to use the tools given to them to make the straight cuts that these saws are capable of....... I'm talking laser straight lines....... Some people just aren't professional enough! Good luck

[@aarongrabowski5620]

We call it burnt

[@stephensheren1283]

“Burnt”

[@ButchOC]

If your sawing the saw day why not just use a airplane jointer

[@pauleng883]

Saw cutting is a complete disaster for achieving a top class job

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Why is that Paul? How would you control expansion/contraction?

[@pauleng883]

@@MikeDayConcrete put joint in concrete when laying. T shape with dowels. Fully separate each slab section.

[@229chrisd]

Maybe on on an exterior slap but in an interior pad like in the video a saw cut should be used

[@allproconcretecutters1050]

Lol this guy said he cuts straighter without a guide…yeah ok 🤦🏽‍♂️