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How to Cut Concrete Using Your Diamond Blade

There are a few rules that should be in place when cutting with a diamond blade. They go as follows: 1. Have a Plan Measure at least three times when marking your cutting line. Also, consider if there will be rebar (steel re-enforcement) embedded within the material you are cutting, as well as any gas lines or electric lines. You want to know this before you start to cut.   2. Use the Right Diamond Blade for Your Masonry Saw and Material You should only use a blade that meets the specifications of your machinery. If the blade doesn’t fit the machinery properly, or has the wrong RPM, you risk damaging the blade, the material, as well as creating a safety risk. Also, wet cutting diamond blades should be only used for cutting wet concrete, and vice versa for dry cutting. Dry cutting blades are most suitable on low horsepower masonry saws. HOT TIP! If you have to pick between a bond that is too soft or too hard for your material, lean toward the side of too soft. A bond that is too hard can cause the blade to overheat at a faster rate and can cause the blade to crack. A blade that is too soft will still cut – you just won’t get a long life from your diamond blade. 3. Check the Blade and Masonry Saw Before You Use It If you’re reusing a diamond blade, inspect it for damage—especially around the arbor hole. Ensure the blade isn’t warped and check your masonry saw’s key components like belts, bolts, and oil levels. If you’re using an electric motor, examine the power cord for wear. Confirm water flows freely to both sides of the blade to keep it cool during cutting. Avoid forcing the blade or applying side pressure to steer it. Let the blade cut naturally to prevent damage and extend its life. Replacing a Diamond Blade Diamond blades endure more wear than standard saw blades due to the tough materials they cut. You’ll know it’s time to replace one when the segments appear smooth or worn down. Less-efficient: A worn out, smooth diamond blade will cut at a far slower rate than it did when you first bought it. Glazed blade: This shows that blade has been to cut a softer, less abrasive material than what should have been cut through. You may be able to bring the diamond particles back to their original form by cutting through a harder, more abrasive material, but this doesn’t always work. If you would like to find out more about diamond blades and their uses, get in contact with the team at Canberra Diamond Blade. We are Australia’s diamond blade experts, and can help you make a decision on which diamond blade is best for your application. Give us a call on 02 6242 8996 and we will be happy to help you out with your questions.

What are Brick Hammers?

Brick hammers are an essential tool for a mason’s kit. They are the most effective tool when it comes to fulfilling a range of duties on the worksite. Brick hammers are the perfect tool for a variety of hardscaping projects. They are one of the most commonly used tools by professional brickies and can be used for breaking small pieces off rocks or splitting bricks. They are made up of a handle and a double-sided head. The handle usually has a comfortable grip made for absorbing the shock that comes from hitting hard objects such as bricks or stones. The two sides of the hammer differ one another as they have different purposes: one side is shaped like a hammer, but is square as opposed to the standard circular look of a hammer head. the other takes on a chisel appearance. The Alternative Use for the Brick Hammer Although designed for cleanly breaking bricks or removing old mortar, a mason’s brick hammer serves many other purposes. You can use it to break concrete, split pavers, smash rocks, scrape dried cement, or drive stakes and nails. Despite its name, the brick hammer proves useful across the entire job site. Use the blunt, square side for heavier tasks like landscaping stone, breaking blocks, or smashing larger brick pieces. The thin, chisel-like side works well for precision tasks, like chipping small bits off stone without cracking the whole piece. Complementary Tools Stonemasons often pair their brick hammer with other tools to shape and finish stone slabs and blocks. Common companions include: Mallets – for applying controlled force Metal straight edges – to check flatness and alignment Chisels – for shaping, smoothing, or removing material Chisels come in many shapes and sizes, each suited for different materials or tasks. Some are ideal for removing large chunks, while others provide a smooth, detailed finish. Canberra Diamond Blade have the full kit for stonemasons. From brick hammers to chisels, cutting blades and trowels, we have everything you need to ensure a clean finish on your stone. If you need any assistance in finding what you need, we are happy to help. Just give us a call on 02 6242 8996 and our team will assist you with your enquiries.

10 Essential Tips for Starting a Contracting Business in Construction

Construction has proven to be one of the most lucrative and stable types of businesses throughout the years. You may be interested in how to start a contracting business that you can grow and profit from. But first, you need to know the basics so you can do it right. There are definitely some essential key factors to consider before starting a contracting business. Check out this list below of 10 tips that will help you with running a successful construction company. 1. Write a Business Plan Some people may think that writing a business plan has become an outdated step. However, there are still many entrepreneurs and investors who value them. Developing a plan when starting a contracting business will allow you to outline all the necessary steps you’ll need to take to increase the chances of success. There are many free templates you can use to help you write a small construction company business plan. 2. Research Regulations Specific to Your State Each state has different regulations in regards to setting up a business. Since the laws and guidelines may shift depending on where you are, it’s important to know which ones can impact your construction business. For instance, you will need to be aware of tax filing requirements and licenses necessary for where you’ll be starting a contracting business. You may also need to look into the regulations for the process of registering your business as well. It won’t be possible for you to have a business without setting up a legal business entity first. The more information you know about state-specific requirements beforehand, the easier it will be to avoid roadblocks when beginning. 3. Get Access to Funding Resources Everyone knows that it takes money to get any business off the ground. Starting a contracting business is no exception. Finding financial resources to help with starting a contracting business will allow things to run more smoothly. You’ll need to find funding sources if you don’t already have a savings account for your company. Another route to funding your business would be to consider applying for a small business loan through government programs. 4. Understand Regulations for Construction Industry Every industry has a set of rules that are put in place to keep all businesses within that sector held at certain standards. Aside from brushing up on important rules and regulations that govern each state, it’s also important to be familiar with guidelines that are specific to the construction industry as well. Consult with the department of labor’s website for regulations for starting a contracting business in construction. These steps and guidelines will ensure that your company is following compliance. 5. Obtain Proper Licenses and Permits The last thing you want to do is position your company to be outside of legal standards. There may be licenses and permits that you need to have when starting a contracting business to prove legitimacy. Gaining the appropriate license and permit requirements will help to protect your business. Reference the paperwork for your state to find out which certifications or permits are recognized as necessary for you to operate locally. 6. Get Your Business Insured Another way to protect your business is to make sure that you are properly insured. You’ll especially want to make sure that you are insured when starting a contracting business due to the nature of this type of work. Businesses do require a lot of investments so getting insurance can help out financially in the event of an incident. You should at least get liability insurance for general protection. 7. Recruiting and Hiring Laborers You can’t run a successful construction company if you don’t have anyone to help execute the work. After you’ve set up all the legal and structural foundations of your business you’ll need to begin recruiting individuals that can work for your company. Depending on the model of your business, you will be able to hire people under various formats. For instance, you may want to enlist subcontractors, independent contractors, etc. You may even want to hire some employees to do administration work, such as handling payroll and system operations. The best way to go about finding individuals to work for you when starting a contracting business is to begin posting job ads online via job sites and appropriate social media platforms. You should also use word-of-mouth and career day events to your advantage. 8. Develop a Health and Safety Plan You’ll want to put a safety and health plan in place for the people you hire. There are specific health standards that need to be met that are regulated by government guidelines. Check out workplace and safety standards based on Osha’s requirements to assist you with creating a health and safety plan. 9. Search for Tools and Resources There are plenty of resources for construction companies and contractors to help with running your business successfully. Be sure to take advantage of online and offline tools that will contribute to your business knowledge and answer questions for your concerns. You’ll also need to consider buying actual tools for your company if you’ll be supplying contractors with them. Be sure to stock your business with the necessary equipment. 10. Find a Mentor for Help Starting a contracting business in construction will definitely be challenging and there may be some questions that are difficult to find answers to. Seeking out a good mentor to help you through the process of beginning and growing your business can be somewhat of a shortcut to obtaining required insight. Go out and start making connections with others in your industry. Then reach out to individuals that you’d think would be willing to take you under their wing. Interested in Starting a Contracting Business Soon? The best way to begin any business is by writing down everything you think is required in order to make your business successful. Then you should get all the legal and insurance properties situated. After that you can begin hiring people to work and gathering all

How to Simplify Your Bricklaying Duties

Laying brick after brick can be tiresome work, especially when the hot months come around. With residential construction continuing to rise in popularity there is a growing demand for bricklayers. But, making sure you can complete the bricklaying job easily and without detriment to the health of staff or the environment is important. Many bricklaying companies still follow outdated practices and use old technology on the job site. Using outdated methods and technology can not only be unsafe, but it will reduce productivity which waste time and money for your pocket. So, it’s important when laying bricks that you’ve got the best tools to make the job as easy as possible. Find out more below… Transporting Your Bricks With modern technology allowing for more easy transportation, there is less need to be carrying bricks. Moving bricks around a worksite can be back-breaking work. If you want to move bricks easier and safer, purchase yourself a mini conveyor belt or brick elevator. This will save you from having to move bricks around the site all day, and makes getting bricks up to the second store a breeze. This will save you money in both time and labour. Get yourself a decent wheelbarrow or brick barrow. Not one of those flimsy ones from the DIY store – get one with a reinforced base and solid steel legs. Something that won’t buckle under a bit of pressure and will last you the long haul like the Moss Wheelbarrows that we stock. They are proudly Australian designed and made! Safely moving materials on the job is important. Safe Work Australia states that the construction industry accounted for 11 per cent of all serious compensation claims from workers in Australia. Many of these incidents could have been avoided using safe tools. What Tools Make Bricklaying Easier? A professional bricklayer should have a complete tool kit to ensure they are getting the job done with ease. If a bricklayer’s kit is incomplete certain aspects of their job cannot be fulfilled, so it is important to make sure you have the right tools for the job. Common bricklayers tools include a range of brick trowels, each fulfilling different purposes. You can get different sizes and types of brick trowels to suit different projects and make the job easier. Some of these include: Bricklaying Techniques for Efficiency Efficiency is a fundamental aspect of any construction project, and bricklaying is no exception. Whether you’re a professional bricklayer or a DIY enthusiast, improving your bricklaying techniques can save you time, money, and energy while ensuring the quality and durability of your work. In this article, we will delve into some essential bricklaying techniques that can significantly enhance your efficiency. 1. Proper Planning Efficiency in bricklaying begins with careful planning. Before you start laying a single brick, take the time to design a well-thought-out layout. This includes calculating the number of bricks required, establishing the course line, and accounting for door and window openings. Proper planning minimizes mistakes and eliminates unnecessary adjustments during the construction process. 2. Quality Mortar Mix The mortar mix is the adhesive that holds your bricks together, so it’s crucial to get it right. A consistent and appropriately mixed mortar is essential for efficient bricklaying. Ensure that your mortar mix has the right proportions of cement, sand, and water. Using a mechanical mixer can save you time and guarantee a uniform consistency. 3. The Buttering Technique One of the most efficient techniques in bricklaying is “buttering.” Instead of applying mortar to the brick directly, you apply it to the previous brick’s head and bed joints. This reduces mortar waste and speeds up the process since you can lay the brick immediately after buttering it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply the Buttering Technique: The Buttering Technique is a valuable skill in bricklaying that not only enhances efficiency but also results in better quality brickwork. By reducing mortar waste, improving precision, ensuring consistent adhesion, and minimising strain on your tools, it’s a method that professional bricklayers and DIY enthusiasts alike can benefit from when undertaking bricklaying projects. 4. Use a Line and Level Accuracy is key in bricklaying, and using a string line and a level is essential for maintaining straight and level courses. These tools ensure that your bricks are correctly aligned both horizontally and vertically, preventing the need for adjustments later on. They are indispensable for efficient bricklaying. 5. Pre-cut Bricks Pre-cutting bricks to the required size before starting a course can save a considerable amount of time. While it might seem like extra work upfront, pre-cut bricks allow you to lay them more quickly, especially in complex areas like corners and openings. A brick saw or chisel can be used to make precise cuts. 6. Work From Both Ends To increase efficiency, consider working from both ends of a wall. This method is particularly useful for longer walls. By having bricklayers at both ends laying bricks towards the middle, you eliminate the need for one team to wait for the other to finish, effectively cutting construction time in half. 7. The Importance of Clean Joints Efficient bricklaying involves keeping your mortar joints clean. Excess mortar can create a messy appearance and potentially weaken the structure. Using a jointer or a trowel, ensure that your joints are uniform in size and free from protruding mortar. This not only improves aesthetics but also facilitates faster progress. 8. Regular Cleanup Regularly cleaning your work area is a simple yet effective technique for efficiency. Remove debris, mortar splatter, and excess materials from your workspace. This not only keeps the site organized but also prevents accidents and interruptions, allowing for continuous work. 9. Invest in Quality Tools Efficiency is significantly influenced by the tools you use. High-quality bricklaying tools such as trowels, levels, and scaffolding not only make the work more manageable but also improve the quality and speed of bricklaying. Don’t go for cheap tools that won’t last and will waste you time and money, your

Stop! Hammer Time: Your Ultimate Guide to the Different Types of Hammers

The hammer: The oldest tool in the world, predating even the early rise of human civilization. At any point in your life, you would’ve used this reliable tool to work on a personal project. Archaeologists discovered the first makeshift hammer in China, dated 2.6 million years ago. Humanity’s use of the mighty tool has been the same: war or construction. Since then, we’ve developed many types of hammers for a wide variety of construction jobs. Did you know there are different kinds of hammers for various kinds of nails or materials? These are not your standard handyman’s hammers. These are professional hammers tailor-made to specific tasks at hand. Need to do something but not sure which hammer to use? Here’s a list of hammers you need to do it right. Handheld Hammers The standard modern-day hammer consists of a compacted solid mass called a “head.” Its use is a force multiplier to create needed impact force on a surface. A handle intersects the head, made of a short wood, metal or plastic material. The shape and size of the head determine the hammer types and their uses. Claw Hammers It’s not surprising that the claw hammer is the simplest but most common of all hammer types. One side has a rounded hammerhead with a flat surface. The blunt side’s use is for impacting nails and other materials. The other end has a V-shaped spike to extract nails. Carpenters, woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts love the claw hammer. It’s small, effective and does small jobs. It’s one of the 10 tools every construction worker needs to have in his arsenal. Brick Hammers Brick hammers are also known as scutch hammers. They look like claw hammers, with the spiked end looking like a flat chisel. The blunt end smashes bricks and stones with efficiency. The chisel-end is different. It offers precision work like rounding edges and shaving small stones. You can use it to cut bricks, masonry or concrete into shape. Chipping Hammers The chipping hammer is a professional stonemason’s hammer specifically used for dressing quarried stone into the shape and size for use. These hammers can be made for hard or soft stone, and require considerable technical skill to use. Professional quality chipping hammers are made from hardened steel and have tungsten carbide blades. They can be single or double bladed depending on the stonemason’s needs. Longhammers Sometimes, nails are simply out of reach. They could be wedged between tight spots and swinging a traditional hammer won’t do. These situations call for a longhammer, which combines the function of a traditional hammer and nail punch. The longhammer is long and thin, allowing you to squeeze it in tight areas. It also has a magnetic tube at the end, ensuring the nail won’t fall out of place and get lost. You get two options here: the longhammer XL for flathead nails up to 3 inches long. There’s also the longhammer M designed for small head nails up to 3 inches long. Club Hammers If space is a premium for sledgehammers, demolition experts use club hammers instead. It has a big, chunky sledgehammer head with a small wooden handle. The club hammer is perfect for demolition work of stone and masonry. The brute force it provides is not as much as the big boys, but definitely more than your standard claw hammer. You can also use this baby to cut stone and metal if you think precision isn’t needed. Hand Scoring Hammer Scoring hammers give you enough force to split and dress stone. The design lets you set it firmly on the surface you want to break and split. The next step is to use a 2 kg (4.40 lbs) hammer to apply force. Our scoring hammers have a blade width of 35mm and 1 kg (2.20 lbs). The length measures up to 150mm. You can also order a spare handle and a spare wedge as well. Keep in mind this is a special order item. There is a waiting period that can last up to 8 weeks. Sledgehammers The sledgehammer is the second most common hammer type. The primary use of a sledgehammer is to provide massive amounts of impact force on a surface. Demolition experts and construction pros use this to achieve faster results through brute force. The most common sledgehammer design is a long handle with a solid mass of heavy material as the head. Due to the natural weight of the hammerhead, it can smash any building material with ease. Much like its standard-sized cousin, the sledgehammer has different kinds of hammers for a variety of professional uses. Remember to use these powerful tools with care. Correct safety measures can ensure a long work life as a tradie without injuries such as safety boots, earmuffs, face masks, protective eyewear and other PPE. Precision Sledgehammers The precision sledgehammer needs no introduction from the mortal man! The long wooden handle and hulking head allow for significant impact force when you use it. A full swing can destroy rocks, wood, masonry, and plaster walls in less time you need to think. For meticulous work, use it to drive fences to the Earth! Setting Hammers Any stonemason will tell you that the setting hammer is the best mate for the sledgehammer. Its primary job is to split natural hard stone where blunt ends are not advisable. The setting hammer’s physical features are unique among long hammers. It has a long handle and a one-sided head with a pointed end similar to a chisel. It works similar to a chisel. Set it down on the stone surface and a sledgehammer will smash on its blunt end, splitting the stone. Stone Sledgehammers Stone sledgehammers are still the mechanical smashers that they are. The only difference is a smaller head. This design is essential for its use: devastating rock and concrete. The smaller head creates a denser hit without dissipating. This results to a concentrated point of impact, rather than a wide smash. It lacks precision, but for brute

What Are Core Drills?

A core drill is  specifically  designed to remove a cylinder of material, from a solid surface. So it is does a similar job to that of a hole saw but is used on harder or thicker material. The material that is left inside the core drill bit is called the “core”. What is the history behind Core Drill Bits? Core drills were first used by the ancient Egyptians and were invented sometime around 3000 BC. Before the outbreak of World War Two, a California mining engineer named Branner Newsom invented a core drill that would easily remove large diameter to cores of up to 4.8 meters in length for mining shafts. But this type isn’t used today as modern core drill technology has evolved so the same result can be achieved more cost effectively. What type of Core Drill bits are out there? There are a variety of core drill bits out there for different jobs, here are a couple of the most common types: Core drills used for concrete applications are usually referred to as diamond core drills (or diamond-tipped core drills) and are cooled using water. They are a heavy duty concrete drill great for poured concrete, block walls and other construction applications. Diamond-tipped core drills are used more typically in construction. They are used to create holes for manholes, pipes in concrete slabs and other large-diameter penetrations in stone or concrete. Annular cutters are used to drill into metal. Carbide core drills in a SDS drill can also be used for smaller masonry drilling projects. Carbide core drill bits typically run dry, can be used on thin walls, and only come in smaller diameters. They are not designed to drill into thick concrete slabs. When drilling through a tile to install a tap, a diamond coated holesaw bit might be all you need. These come in a range of sizes starting from 5mm and going up to 128mm. As they are diamond coated, this type of core drill bit will not last as long as a core drill or pin drill with solid diamond segments. In small sizes, professional tilers prefer diamond pin drill bits. They commonly come in sizes from 4mm to 10mm and as they have a solid diamond head, they last for the long haul. Serious Core Drill Bits Outside general construction, these are used for mineral exploration. Coring may be up to several thousand meters in length. The core samples are taken and examined and to work out if they should begin or cancel mining operations in a particular region. Exploration diamond drilling is used heavily in the mining industry to probe and search for deposits of ore. It also allows geologists to assess the core through chemical assay and conduct structural, mineralogical and petrologic studies of the drilled out rock. Core Drilling at Home Core drilling at home is typically done to make space for plumbing, electrical and air-conditioner piping as well as conduit through concrete floors or walls. Although drilling a single hole can seem simple, having the ability to drill to the right width and depth accurately very often requires a diamond tipped drill bit saw. The use of heavy duty diamond-tipped saws will also help you avoid problems when drilling through the concrete re-enforcing mesh. Reaching the Areas Concrete Saws Aren’t Able to Reach In areas of the building that are hard to access, concrete saws often struggle to reach the area. You could invest in a concrete chainsaw to get into those tight areas, or you can use a core drill through a process called stitch drilling. Stitch drilling is the drilling of a large number of overlapping holes until the necessary section of concrete is taken away from the area. Core Drill bits online in our store As we are focussed on construction, in particular, concreters, brickies, landscapers and tilers, the core drill bits for sale in our store are specifically the heavy duty diamond tipped core drill bit for concrete, walls, and stone. They come with either brazed or laser welded segments. Lazer welded diamond core drill bits are the longest lasting. We also offer a great range of diamond coated holesaw bits, and diamond tipped pin drill bits to choose from. If you have any questions about what you need for your job, give us a call on 02 6242 8996 and we’ll help you out.

What Are Masonry Drills Bits?

Masonry drill bits are a type of twist drill bit designed specifically for drilling into brick, stone, and concrete. Unlike standard bits, they feature a softer steel body with tungsten carbide tips brazed onto the cutting edges for durability and strength. These bits are typically used with a hammer drill, which drives the bit into the material with rapid hammering as it rotates. The hammering breaks up the masonry, while the spiraled flutes clear away the dust. The rotation helps the cutting edges contact fresh material with each impact. Most hammer drills use SDS-style shanks, which let the bit slide within the chuck during hammering. This design avoids using the entire chuck for the hammering motion, making the process more efficient. Masonry bits usually range from 3mm to 40mm in diameter. For larger holes, users switch to core drill bits. Extra-long masonry bits—up to 1,000mm (39 inches)—can be used with portable power tools, making them ideal for running plumbing or electrical lines through walls in existing buildings. Single Masonry Drill Bit or Set of Drill Bits? Choosing whether to use a single masonry drill bit and a full set depends on how much drilling you’re planning. For quick jobs, you can stick with a couple of common sizes like ¼” and 5/16”, which work well for wall plugs and anchor-type fixings. These sizes are versatile and sufficient for most light tasks. Drill Bit Sets If you plan to take on multiple projects around the home, investing in a masonry drill bit set offers better value. A full set gives you flexibility with hole sizes and attachments, making it easier to handle different tasks without running back to the store. What masonry drill bit do I need? Always drill slightly smaller than the concrete screw you plan to use. For instance: Use a 5/32” bit for a 3/16” screw Use a 3/16” bit for a ¼” screw However, for sleeve or wedge anchors, drill a hole equal to the anchor size. Alternative to Masonry Drill Bits Similar to the masonry drill bit is a star drill bit. They are similar in function and appearance to a chisel or hole punch, and are used as a hand powered drill along with a hammer in order to drill into masonry and stone. The cutting edge of a start drill bit consists of multiple blades which are joined in the centre to create a star pattern. Contact the team at Canberra Diamond Blades for more information regarding masonry drill bits and our range.

How to Buy the Best Tile Saw: A Complete Guide

Different types of tile require different tools and techniques to make clean cuts. If you try to cut tile with a wood or metal saw blade, you chip and crack the tile beyond repair. This article guides you through everything you need to know about how to buy the best tile saw. How to Buy the Best Tile Saw: Notable Features The blade with which you cut must be made from a harder material than the tile. That is why the best tile saw blades are made with diamonds. Diamond blades cut materials that are too tough for metal cutting blades. Diamond saw blades are the best choice for cutting through concrete, tile, and other hard substances. But, not all masonry saws are created equal. Professional stone carvers and stonemasons use purpose-made equipment to cut glass, tile, rock, or grout. To choose the right diamond saw for cutting tile, you should understand the differences in how they are forged and to which type of tile they correspond. Wet vs. Dry Saws Cutting any material with a power saw presents certain safety hazards to those in the vicinity. Materials cut on a tile saw produce fine particulate matter into the air. So, the best tile saws have a built-in water jet that runs over the material being cut. As water runs over the blade and tile, the particulate coming off of the cut area is captured. You can cut some tile materials dry, but not all of them. Wet saws keep the blade from overheating. And, be especially conscious of the diamond blade type that you are using, since not all blades accommodate dry cuts. To make clean, professional cuts in a wide variety of tiles, you need a wet tile saw. Matching Your Tile to Blade Type If you are inexperienced with cutting tile take some time to get familiar with the different types of tile blades. There are three types of diamond blades that work for cutting tile: Segmented; Continuous rim; and Turbo blades. Segmented Segmented blades feature a medium to hard metal matrix bond, so they are great for a wide variety of construction materials. Segmented blades work with, both, wet and dry saws, and cut with a medium smoothness. Segmented blades run at high speed without overheating, which is great for cutting ceramic, porcelain, decorative, and terra-cotta tiles. Continuous Rim Continuous rim blades cut through very hard, abrasive materials. The unbroken edge of the blade is designed to make a clean cut in the toughest tile materials. It is also the right blade for cutting fragile tile materials. Continuous rim blades have a soft metal matrix bond which is best for cutting through granite, natural stone, glass, slate, and marble. Do not make dry cuts with a continuous rim blade, or it will overheat very quickly. Turbo Turbo blades have a medium metal matrix bond with a serrated edge. Turbo is the best tile saw blade for limestone, brick, cement, and softer metal tiles. Turbo blades can make wet and dry cuts. Types of Tile Saws When it comes to choosing the best tile saw for your needs, you must pick between mobility, accuracy, and simplicity. You have the choice of a handheld wet tile saw, two types of table saws, or a manual dry tile cutter. Handheld Wet Tile Saw If your work requires cutting tile on job sites a handheld wet tile saw is the most convenient and mobile option. These tile saws are about the size of a standard handheld circular saw, so you can work with it on-site. These handheld tile saws hook up to a water source through a line. When the blade is active, water is sucked through the saw to run over the material being cut. Handheld wet tile saws are great for making inlaid tile cuts. These tile saws are not acceptable for dry cuts. Tabletop Wet Tile Saw A tabletop tile saw mounts on a workbench and is great for a stable work area. These saws can be transported to a work site, but are difficult to carry around. The motor of the unit resides underneath the saw, so it functions similarly to a standard table saw. Some tabletop wet tile saws are designed with a water reservoir in the unit, while most others hook into an existing water source. The diamond blade spins through a pool of water located beneath the cutting surface. Tabletop wet tile saws, also, accommodate other attachments, such as a bevel or miter saw. Overhead Motor Wet Tile Saw An overhead motor wet tile saw is a combination between a table saw and a chop saw. Like the table saw, your tile material pushes through the blade area. But, unlike a table saw, the blade is located above the cutting surface. Like with a chop saw, you can easily manipulate the angle and directionality of the blade by hand. The motor powering the blade is, also, located above the cutting surface. Overhead motor tile saws are available with, or without a hookup for water. But dry cuts are only acceptable for softer tile materials. Overhead motor tile saws accommodate bevel attachments and other tools, like LED lighting. And, most include a collapsible wheeled stand, so they are easy to move around on job-sites. Score and Snap – Manual Tile Saw Cutter A score and snap tile cutter has no motor or powered parts. This method of cutting tile is only suitable for soft tile materials and does not accommodate tile beyond around two to three inches thick. You place your tile in the cutter, below the scoring wheel. Align the scoring wheel above the cut area. After scoring the cut, use the snapper to make a clean break where you want the tile cut. These are not suitable for all tile materials but are very handy for softer masonry. And, these units don’t produce nearly as much fine particulate in the air when cutting. These tile cutters are inexpensive and lightweight. There

Basic Concreting for Contractors: 10 Must-Have Concrete Tools

Working with wet concrete is a fine balance between timing and having the correct tools on-hand for the job. Once concrete has been poured, no one wants to turn around and find that they’re short of an essential tool in order to get the job done on time. While there are numerous high-tech power tools available to complete a concreting job, some of the most basic tools are equally as important. As a concreting contractor, here are 10 of the most essential concrete tools to have in your arsenal for the perfect concreting job. 10 Concrete Tools Every Contractor Should Own Ask any contractor who’s worked closely with concrete before – concrete waits for no one once it’s been poured! If you aren’t prepared with the right tools, you might find yourself in a serious dilemma. To add to this, the right concrete finishing tools spell the difference between the perfect concreting project or a complete disaster. Most concreting equipment is basic and does not require a whole lot of investment. It’s important to own these basic tools as a contractor, rather than forking out unnecessarily on equipment hire. Yes, some of the more high-tech, specialty equipment is a little more expensive, but it’s certainly worth the investment if used on a regular basis. As a contractor, keep in mind that simple, no-frills hand tools are a huge part of any concreting job and will always be 100% necessary onsite. Some of these may include trusty staples such as a handheld float, trowel, saws, shovels, rakes, and kneeling boards. Other than that, here are 10 essentials to add to your concreting equipment: 1. Concrete Screeds Screeds are an extremely important tool to ensure your concrete is as smooth and flat as possible once it’s been poured. Screeds are long and straight pieces of tubing or board, available in a variety of sizes for specific concreting projects. For hand-screeding projects, make sure your screed is longer than the width of your concrete form. This allows the screed to glide along the top edges of the form while smoothing out your concrete. 2. Concrete Vibrators A concrete vibrator is used to compact and settle concrete once it’s been poured so that it dries out evenly and smoothly. There are four basic concrete vibrators that most contractors use onsite: An internal vibrator, also known as a needle, which uses a vibrating probe to settle wet concrete A form vibrator which attaches to the outside of the concrete form A screed vibrator which attaches to a moving screed and vibrated the concrete during screeding A table vibrator which is a metal table used for vibrating concrete when it’s poured inside a mould. Depending on your specific concreting job, these vibrators can be hired for different projects. 3. A Wheelbarrow Ah, the trusty three-wheeled steed. A wheelbarrow really is a no-brainer piece of equipment for any contractor, no matter the industry really. Wheelbarrows are often an underestimated tool but can be used to transport small amounts of concrete across site, tools, debris, dirt and more. They are also useful for carrying concrete samples across site for slump tests and other necessary assessments. 4. A Portable Concrete Mixer This is a concreting tool that can save you a huge amount of time and energy. Rather than mixing small amounts of concrete by hand to fill in gaps or faults, a concrete mixer does all the dirty work for you. A concrete mixer is also handy for small pours that don’t warrant a full order of ready-mixed concrete too. It also makes for a more thorough and smoother concrete pour. 5. Rubber Gloves and Boots These are essential onsite items when working with a material such as concrete. After all, concrete contains potent chemicals that can irritate and damage the skin. Over time, exposure to concrete on the skin can cause extensive damage as the cement draws out moisture from your skin. Always make sure to always use rubber gloves and boots which allow you to work with concrete as quickly as possible, without stressing about skin irritation. 6. Vapour Barriers Vapour barriers, also known as vapour retarders, are an important tool to assist with strengthening the quality of your concrete. A vapour barrier is placed over the top of poured concrete to prevent moisture from evaporating from the surface, which weakens concrete. A vapour barrier can also be placed below the concrete surface to prevent water escape or dry base materials from drawing moisture out of the concrete. 7. A Concrete Saw While you may need a number of different saws on a concreting site, a concrete saw is most important. This will be used to cut control joints while the concrete is setting once it’s been poured. Standard woods saws, such as a circular saw, demo saws or chop saws are also necessary for cutting wood and metal rebar while onsite. 8. Concrete Floats A bull float is another important tool that’s used to ensure your concrete surface is as smooth, compact and flat as possible. A bull float is used to smooth a concrete surface immediately after screeding is complete. The bull float is characterised by a long pole which reaches across the entire width of the concrete form. Smaller floats are also necessary for filling in voids in the concrete or smoothing edges. These are known as magnesium floats and are usually handheld for reaching smaller, intricate areas. 9. Groove Cutters Also known as groovers, this tool is used to create control joints on concrete surfaces for walkways, driveways, residential slabs, and pavements. A groove cutter is normally used in place of a concrete cutter. Concrete groove cutters are characterised by a horizontal plate with a vertical fin attachment. The horizontal plate has rounded edges for shaping the grooves in the concrete. 10. A Laser Level This is the standard tool used on most concreting sites for levelling concrete forms and determining their elevation. A laser level is also useful when it

Growing Your Construction Business: Why You Should Invest in the Right Tools & Equipment

With $30 billion being spent by the construction industry every year, it’s clear that the industry is booming. With any boom, things get more competitive and the pressure on a construction business to have the best tools and equipment has intensified. No matter what the size of your business is, you need to have the best tools to give your clients the best work and to make the most out of your time. Here are five reasons why you need to have the best tools on hand to get the job done. 1. Get Work Done More Efficiently Having the right tools and equipment on hand helps you avoid delays. You won’t need to stop work to buy missing items. With everything ready, the job gets done faster—and done right the first time. Trying to use the wrong tool can slow you down. It might eventually work, but not well. You’ll likely spend time correcting mistakes or reshaping the result. Quality tools cost more upfront, but they save money over time. Unlike fashion or grooming, tools reflect their value. When you pay more, you often get better results. With the best tools, you do better work—and it shows. 2. Build a Strong Reputation If you’re consistently doing great work because of the tools and equipment you have, you’ll build a great reputation. Since most of the construction business is based on word of mouth and reputation, you need to take yours seriously. When you show up to every site with the right tools to get the job done, you’ll look like a professional. You’ll notice that your customers and clients will speak to you differently. Cutting and grinding with high-end tools means that you’ll give your clients work that looks amazing. They’ll be impressed with what you could get out of such unforgiving materials. They will reward you with praise and positive reviews. In the absence of the old telephone book to find out about construction businesses, the internet has taken its place. However, along with the business listings that appear online comes the ability to see how popular a business is. Through those star rating systems, it’s possible to find out whether or not a business is reputable without talking to anyone. This means that you have to be doing great work with the right tools so that no one could post images from poor work done by your construction company. 3. Keep Good Talent Around The key to doing great work in construction relies as much on having the best equipment as it does having great talent. When you have talented tradies on site, you don’t have to worry about mistakes or problems that will go unmanaged. If they see a problem, they’ll be able to handle it quickly, rather than relying on you. Giving them the right tools and equipment means that they’ll be able to solve problems easily and will cost you less in wages. With the right tools, they’ll pounce on issues quickly and be able to improve mistakes that less experienced tradespeople make. Handing a talented tradie a dull or cheap tool to take on a serious issue is not only dangerous but also disrespectful. Dull blades will require more force that should be exerted with a tool. This will tell your workers that you don’t take things as seriously as you claim. If they doubt your seriousness, they’ll move on to work with someone who respects their time and their talent. 4. Save Money On Materials One of the lesser measured positive impacts of having the right tools and equipment on site is that you won’t have as much wasted material. When you’re using the wrong tools, you’re going to struggle to get the cuts you need and end up having to throw out defective material. The right tools and equipment will have sharp blades, won’t have any residue on them, and machines serviced regularly. This will ensure that your workers will be able to clearly see where their tools hit the material. They’ll be able to make decisions with accuracy and won’t waste time. The right tools and equipment for a job also require the right raw materials for the job. When you provide your team with the material that can get the job done and the right tools for working with it, you give them a cocktail for success. 5. Take On More Serious Projects Serious projects can’t be done with cheap tools or weak materials. It requires you to have strong tools, quality goods, and newly replaced parts for you to get high-end work done. You can’t even cut through some materials with cheap tools. You won’t be able to bend, break, or drill through some materials unless you have high-quality tools like specialised blades and drill bits. When you provide everyone on your team with the right tools and equipment, you’ll be able to meet the standards set out by the builder and architect. This will ensure that your clients are happy and that you can use one project to get an even better, higher paying job. Your Construction Business Should Be The Best In order for your construction business to be the best in town, you need to have the best equipment. It can help you build a strong reputation for doing great work and having the best talent. Professional equipment will lead to professional work. Along with great construction equipment, check out our guide to make sure you provide everyone with the best safety equipment.