The Benefits of Gas and Petrol vs Electric Concrete Saws

Cutting concrete can be extremely difficult if you don’t have the right tool, and there’s no better tool for the job than a heavy-duty saw that’s specifically made for cutting concrete. The majority of concrete saw models are also wet saws, and choosing one isn’t difficult, as long as you understand the difficulty and length of the project. If you’re working on a professional construction site, you’ll need to make sure you get an industrial-grade model. If you’re working around the yard to improve your landscape or patio, then a consumer model will be the better option, and it’s probably going to be more affordable. Regardless, there are a couple of important factors to consider when looking for concrete saws for sale.

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Power Type

Concrete saws can be either gas/petrol or electric powered. Electric tools have been around for quite a while, but they used to be inferior to gas/petrol models. However, thanks to advances in motors and batteries, they now compete with gas/petrol-powered tools. While you probably won’t find battery-powered concrete demolition saw models, some corded models are definitely worth considering.

Electric Models

These saws are lighter than their gas/petrol-powered counterparts, as they don’t have a fuel tank which adds to both bulk and weight. Electric engines are more compact and weight significantly less. It’s difficult to find a heavy-duty gas/petrol model that weighs less than 10kg, but you can easily find an electric model that weighs less than 5kg. These saws also don’t produce any emissions, making them better for the operator and the environment. They also don’t feature any moving parts, so there’s less chance of things breaking and there aren’t as many maintenance requirements. However, keep in mind that you’ll need an electric outlet to power them, so they aren’t as portable as gas/petrol-powered models.

Gas/Petrol Models

Gas/petrol-powered concrete saw models are the obvious winners when it comes to power and portability. They weigh more, but they don’t require a power cord, so they’re ideal for tasks where you won’t have access to power. The most powerful concrete demolition saw models are gas/petrol-powered, so if you’re looking for a construction or industrial grade tool, you’ll want one of these. In the world of saws, more power also means more speed, which again, makes these models the way to go. Worth noting is that gas/petrol saws are available with 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines, both of which have varying requirements.

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2-Stroke Engines

2-stroke engines are normally found in hand-held power tools. Some people think that a 2-stroke engine is weaker than a 4-stroke engine just by the name, that can’t be further than the truth. The number of strokes an engine has refers to the way it uses oil to get lubricated. 2-stroke engines don’t feature as many moving parts, so they’re smaller and start more quickly. Generally, it takes only one or two pulls to get them started, whereas 4-stroke engines require far more. However, 2-stroke engines can’t use standard gas, and you’ll have to use a mix of oil and gas and fuel that mix into the tank. This means that you’ll have to buy that special mix or mix it yourself. 2-Stroke engines have superior fuel economy and produce less emissions.

4-Stroke Engines

These engines feature two extra strokes used for lubricating the moving parts. This reduces the wear on those parts, and makes the engine and thus, the tool, last longer. However, the downside is that there are more moving parts, which means there are more things that can go wrong. The chances of things going wrong can be minimised with proper care and maintenance. On the bright side, you can use standard gas with these engines. However, you’ll want to find a gas station that doesn’t add any ethanol in their gas, as 4-stroke engines can’t handle it well. You’ll also have to add engine oil via a separate valve on the saw. That being said, this means that the ideal blend is 50:1 gas to oil, but that ratio can vary. But this also means that you won’t have to add any discrete oil since all the oil the 4-stroke engine needs is already present in the gas.

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Safety Considerations

These power tools are arguably the most dangerous out of all power tools. If they can cut through concrete, think about what they can do to people. Like when using any other type of power tool, you’ll want to wear personal protective equipment, including gloves, safety goggles, respiratory protection, work shoes and work pants. Furthermore, the saw should have some safety features, such as a blade guard. And most importantly, you have to check if the saw is operating properly, pay attention to the saw’s rotation, and don’t let anything distract you while operating the saw.