Masonry Magazine October 2005 Page. 28
SAW BLADES
New Toy
for Masons'
Toolbags
THE NEARLY UBIQUITOUS RECIPROCATING SAW, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A RECIP OR DEMO SAW, is handy in almost any construction and remodeling work. It helps remodelers take out the old before adding the new and, on occasion, is a superb pipe cutting device. But cutting masonry?
Most of us might think of standard carbide grit blades for only light masonry use, but that is changing now. With the assistance of some new blade styles, the venerable recip saw will cut masonry, such as cement block and some brick, almost like butter. It can also clean out mortar in a rush, making disassembly of some kinds of brick, block and other masonry walls or structures quick and relatively easy. Some of the heavy duty and more costly new blades can even tackle some kinds of stone.
Our own curiosity was piqued at this claim, so we gathered some Paws Off Eliminator blades and a couple of chunks of medium-weight slate, and gave cutting a try with the blades chucked in a new Bosch R15 recip saw. (None of these blades, even the lighter duty ones, do well in cheap, consumer's grade reciprocating saws. After all, even light masonry is heavy work.)
With the #16 blade and 12-amp saw, we got reasonable speed and a decent looking cut. Some of the smoother grits should do a neater job, but at a slower pace. Using a reciprocating saw is not a rapid-cut method, though it's considerably faster than we expected. Like other types of masonry saw applications, you do need an absolutely solid method of holding the brick, block or stone. Handholding the material simply won't do.
By
Charles Self
and
Jennie Farnsworth
26 Masonry
October 2005
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