How can you cut aerated concrete?

Aerated concrete blocks can be perfectly processed with almost any tool. They can be cut with a power tool or processed manually, which allows you to make parts of any geometry with inclined, oblique, curly edges.

To work with aerated concrete material are used:

• special hand saw;
• chain saw;
• reciprocating saw;
• saw "Alligator";
• aerated concrete cutting machines;
• accessories such as a cutter, disc, etc. can also be used.

Further in the article, we will consider the above tools, their pros and cons, and also draw conclusions about how and with what it is preferable to process aerated concrete.

As for hand tools, the best option for processing aerated concrete will be a model with teeth equipped with victorious solders. Its high cost may well be justified by the high durability of the tool. This will not affect the cutting time (it will be quite long), but the safety of the material and the cutting accuracy will be higher. It is better to cut large blocks with a two-handed tool, but its weight is much greater - you will need a partner.

It is preferable to use the products of a well-known company, and not to acquire a handicraft tool with dubious workmanship. The Yutong tool manufacturer has proven itself well. Delta trademark products are also a good economical option. Neat cuts are made with a manual hacksaw, window or door openings are formed. The disadvantage of such a tool is that you have to cut at a low speed.

But the tool of this class is designed for a daily work schedule that provides for continuous work. In this mode, the saw can work for more than 5 hours in a row. They range in power from 500 to 1500 W.

By the type of drives, the tool is divided into:

• corded, more powerful and productive, but not so mobile (you will have to use an extension cord);
• rechargeable (an electric hacksaw has less weight, aerated concrete is processed with it at construction sites).

When purchasing consumables for electric hacks, you need to pay attention to the type of cutting tooth. The size of the teeth and the spacing between them indicate where they should be applied. For example, a tooling with a large cutter is used for high-speed cutting, with a small one for curly cuts. The smallest tooth spacing results in ideal cutting planes, while large setups shorten the cutting time, but this inevitably comes with a loss of quality.

In the case when the projects of the erected houses or other structures do not imply that they will have complex geometric shapes, the acquisition of an expensive power tool is meaningless. It is enough to use an ordinary hacksaw. It is used for processing small material. The quality and speed of cutting is influenced by technical, strength, density factors of the material, as well as the level of temperature and humidity of the air environment.

Let's consider the direct cutting process.

• To get a straight line, you need a pencil and a square. On aerated concrete, markings are applied along each of the four edges. Then cuts are made to a depth of 1-4 cm along two long edges and one short one. Hand tools must have a sufficient length of blade, reach the end of the cut and clean the passage from sawdust.
• The blade is guided without excessive pressure, so that there is no deviation from the marking line. The optimum cutting angle is 45 °. It is necessary to ensure that the sawn-off part does not fall when the cut is finished. Also, in order to avoid chips, a reliable stand, corner is needed.

When cuts are made in advance, the tool will remain in line with the cut, making cutting easier and more efficient. Sawing one aerated concrete block of the usual standard 400x250 mm with a density of D500 using a hand saw takes on average 5-7 minutes. When constructing large buildings, the time required to prepare the material will be significant.

Reciprocating saws are power tools that look like powerful jigsaws. Structurally, a reciprocating saw consists of the tool itself and the casing. With a reciprocating saw, you can cut both in a straight line and perform the so-called reciprocating cut. The saw cuts the aerated concrete block using flat cutting blades somewhat reminiscent of cavalry sabers. The web moves forward and backward, the required speed mode is set using an electronic unit. Saw models are distinguished by the power of the motors and the length of the working blades. The oscillation amplitude of the reciprocating saw blade varies from 2 to 5 cm, the frequency of movement can reach up to 3000 strokes per minute. A worn-out blade can be easily replaced with a new one.

All modifications are equipped with heat removal systems. The reciprocating saw is distinguished by excellent cutting accuracy, high efficiency, it can change the level of the cutting depth, it is possible to adjust the blocks to the required dimensions. With its help, it is possible to partially grind aerated concrete for wiring. The disadvantage is an expensive tool. If you plan to work with aerated concrete, then specialized canvases will be required.

Electric chain saws are classified as universal products, since almost every household has such a tool. The saw consists of a cutting chain, a saw bar, a tensioning mechanism, a lubrication system, a guard that blocks the motor. For optimum saw performance, the chain tension needs to be adjusted with a special bar screw.

Advantages of operation: Professionals, for the most part, consider the use of chain saws to be the best option when cutting U-configuration gas blocks. When sawing from the end, you can get the perfect horizontal cut. The chain saw provides a high cutting speed. It is also necessary to note the optimal balance of the mass: the chain saw is convenient to use when cutting at various angles and, if necessary, hold it above your head.

A significant drawback of electric saws is the relatively quick blunting of the chain when cutting aerated concrete, since the direct purpose of the saw is cutting wood. For this reason, when buying a saw, it is recommended to purchase chains with a victorious soldering.Of course, such a chain costs much more than an ordinary one, but in any case it will have to be sharpened sometime.

When sawing two or three blocks in a row, the chain heats up, the metal expands, which leads to its stretching. To eliminate this problem, it is necessary to remove one link, then it will correspond to its previous parameters. For this reason, there are strong recommendations on the mode of operation - the instrument must rest. If you work in harsh environments (for example, cutting aerated concrete blocks instead of sawing tree trunks), the sprocket of the electric saw grinds its teeth.

Ignorant people often perceive this option as a kind of saber type, but they are different. When the "Alligator" functions, the planes of the canvases are brought into sliding. They move in the same way as the movements of crocodile jaws. They do not go back and forth, like saber counterparts, cutting occurs due to the saw bar, which is fixedly installed.

Since the Alligator saw has a high power, it is optimal for cutting aerated concrete. The block is especially stable in the case of oncoming movement of the canvases. Provides a cutting edge braking system and a switch lock system. Dust resistance also ensures higher durability and reliability of the tool.

The saw is convenient to use, it is easy to replace consumables. The set includes a hex key and blades for cutting aerated concrete. As for the shortcomings, this is the traditional high cost: it makes sense to buy such a saw only with its constant use.

The alligator is the best, but too expensive tool. Its purchase can be recommended for professional builders who erect a large number of aerated concrete buildings. A private developer doing the work with his own hands may be satisfied with a less expensive solution.

The maximum precision and the smoothest surface when cutting an aerated concrete block can be provided with a machine. More precisely, it is used to cut bulk masses with different parameters. It can be installed anywhere and does not take up much space. Structurally, it usually consists of a frame, which is equipped with an auger, two electric drives and cutting elements (the latter can be band saws or strings), a starting auger mechanism, a starting frame mechanism, a winch for vertical movements of the frame, and a trolley.

The safety rules for cutting gas blocks are not much different from the safety rules for other similar actions. In general terms, the mandatory use of overalls can be noted, special attention should be paid to shoes with a metallized toe, gloves and eye and face protection (mask, glasses).

In the next video, you will find an effective way to cut aerated concrete.