FAQs

What is the Difference between Premix and Portland concrete?

Pre-mix concrete requires only water to complete mix. Portland concrete is just the cement component of concrete and requires the addition of sand, gravel, and water to complete concrete mix.

What is the difference between nominal and actual mixer capacity?

When shopping for mixers with drums, be sure to check the actual capacity of the mixer’s drum. Many times capacity is listed for the drum at no tilt when in reality the drum must be at an angle to properly mix and therefore has a smaller actual capacity, also called rated capacity. A mixer’s nominal capacity refers to the volume of mixing components the mixing drum can hold when it is straight up and down. Make sure the mixer’s actual or rated capacity meets your job requirements before purchasing.

What is the difference between concrete and mortar mixers?

Concrete mixers are typically used to mix coarse materials that may contain rock, sand, or cement. A mix containing any of these coarse components is best mixed in a concrete mixer. Mortar mixers are used to mix softer, finer building materials such as plaster, mortar, stucco, etc. Although it is possible to mix mortar in a concrete mixer, it is not a good idea to use a mortar mixer for coarse mixing materials. If you need one machine to do both, a concrete mixer is your best bet.

Which concrete or masonry saw is right for you?

First consider the size of your project and the frequency of future projects. Some smaller cut-off saws or diamond chainsaws are plenty capable. Handheld saws are lighter weight and offer increased mobility on your job.

For larger, contracted or commercial jobs, paver and block saws, and walk-behind saws are most effective. Paver and Block saws are machines designed for heavy duty cutting jobs. Walk-behind concrete saws are generally used for sidewalk, road, or other large scale commercial projects.

Before choosing any saw to purchase, consider your required cutting depth, blade speed, and power capabilities. Generally, saws with larger cutting depths and more power are heavier and less mobile. Make sure you get the saw the exceeds your current needs without overpowering you or your job!

How many horsepower should my Concrete Saw have?

In most cases, the amount of horsepower you will require out of your saw will depend on what the particular job requirements are. For cutting paver and block slabs, roadways, driveways, sidewalks, and other commercial jobs, saws with more horsepower may be required. For smaller home improvement jobs, handheld cut-off saws and diamond chainsaws will probably do the trick. Engine horsepower can range from 4 hp to over 60 hp. Handheld saws typically have less horsepower than walk-behind saws.

What maximum cutting depth will I need for my job?

For cutting harder, thicker materials like roadways, driveways and sidewalks, walk-behind saws and paver block saws offer the deepest cutting depth, ranging from 3 to 18 inches. For smaller indoor projects cutting concrete or masonry, handheld concrete saws can offer impressive cutting depths as well; up to 12 inches. Diamond chainsaws offer the most versatile capabilities with max depths up to 16 inches and a lightweight design for jobs where cutting depth and mobility are key.

Do I need wet or dry core drill bits?

For everyday drilling projects using a handheld drill, dry drill bits are usually sufficient. For larger commercial applications with frequent and deeper drilling, wet drill bits are best. Keep in mind that wet drill bits should not be used dry so if you plan on using wet drill bits make sure your equipment has the necessary water capabilities.

How many heads should my floor grinder have?

For refinishing smaller indoor rooms or basements, a single head grinder will probably do the trick. For larger areas either outside or in warehouses, etc., you should consider at least a dual head grinder or possibly even a four head grinder. Four head grinders are very large and are often ride-on machines. More heads are capable of covering a larger area per pass. Consider the space you have available to store and transport a grinder.



Glossary & Hints



Concrete & Mortar Mixers

Concrete and Mortar Mixers allow building materials to be mixed within a rotating drum. Sand, gravel, and other mason components are added to the drum and mixed with water to form concrete or mortar. Mixers come in stationary and portable forms and can be Diesel, Gas, Electric, or Manual powered.

Portable mixers are smaller, stationary mixers that can fit easily into the back of a truck for easy transport to job sites. Because they only handle between 2 and 5 bags of concrete per batch, they are generally used for smaller jobs.

Towable mixers are larger and are ideal for frequent, large jobs and when storage is not a concern.

Handheld mixers are smaller, electric or gas powered mixers that work best for DIY type jobs and smaller repair jobs.

Mixer Accessories


• Various accessories are available and some are necessary to user your mixer.
• A towable mixer requires a hitch to connect to a vehicle for transport.
• Paddles are available for mixing a variety of materials to different consistencies.

Concrete & Masonry Saws

Concrete & masonry saws are designed to cut through a variety of materials including concrete, pavers, blocks, and more. Diamond blades are required for cutting. Choose from handheld or walk behind models for jobs of all sizes.

Concrete Cut-Off Saws are handheld saws that cut concrete and masonry anywhere on your job. It is important to consider the fuel type and size of the saw to match the job. Electric saws are more lightweight and offer increased mobility. Gas powered saws are heavier, but will provide more power. Also, cut-off saws vary in motor horsepower to fit a range of jobs.

Handheld Diamond Chainsaws are lightweight to help you finish a concrete cutting job with precision. When buying a diamond chainsaw, consider purchasing extra chains for quick replacement in the event of a break or a dull chain. The main factor in buying a concrete chainsaw is the cutting depth you’ll need - depths range from 10” to 16”. Other specifications to look at are the chain speed (in feet per minute) and horsepower of the saw.

Paver and Block Saws are designed to cut an array of materials including tile, stone and masonry. These stationary tools are great for heavy duty cutting jobs. Be sure to have the correct max cutting depth for your project. Cutting depths range from 3 to 14” or so. Paver and Block saws come in a range of cutting lengths, the larger the max cutting length, the larger and heavier the machine. So consider your available storage space and transportation needs.

Additional features to look for are shop vac attachments for dust collection, and tilting head for miter cuts. Adding accessories like a folding stand or water pump and tray will make your saw more versatile and easier to use at different jobs.

Walk-Behind Saws are either self-propelled or operator pushed saws that are used in many slab cutting-applications. They can be used on driveways and roads, sidewalks, patios, and in basement remodeling. They are generally used for large commercial projects.

Walk-Behind Propelled Saws used mainly for cutting concrete slabs or floors. They require minimal effort and less time to finish larger jobs than walk-behind push models. Propelled saws are heavier and use more gas than push saws. Engine horsepower ranges from 4 hp to 66 hp. Choosing the max cutting depth that matches your needs is important; depths range from 5” to 15”.

Walk-Behind Push Saws are lighter and more maneuverable than a propelled saw. These saws are ideal for smaller jobs and can be stored and transported more easily than propelled saws. When deciding on the right concrete push saw it will be important to know the horsepower and max cutting depth of the saw you choose. Horsepower ranges from 6 hp to 13 hp and max depths range from 5” to 8”.

Concrete Blankets

Concrete Blankets protect concrete from weather while it cures. Traditional concrete blankets are made with rolls of synthetic material that simply covers the concrete deflecting moisture and debris while concrete dries. Heated blankets are also now available that will thaw frozen ground before concrete is poured and will warm and protect curing concrete even in snow. They can maintain constant temperatures of 60 - 80 degrees Farenheit. Concrete curing blankets come in various sizes that can be used together to cover large concrete slabs.

Concrete Breakers

Breakers are heavy duty hammers that demolish concrete, masonry, and other hard materials using a combination of operator pressure and the stroke impact of the tool. Breakers come in handheld and heavy duty T-shaped versions. When buying a breaker, be sure to look at impact frequency, usually indicated as blows per minute (BPM). This indicates how quickly the machine operates. Also, be sure that the breaking or drilling depth meets your application’s requirements. Consider that the power for a breaker can usually be either gas, pneumatic or hydraulic.

Concrete Buckets

Concrete buckets are steel or aluminum containers that hold concrete for the largest of concrete jobs. Buckets are especially useful on jobs in high, hard to reach places such as multi-story buildings with concrete floors. The concrete is moved, ready to pour, to the appropriate floor using cranes. It is then released from the gate at the bottom of the bucket over a wheelbarrow or the placement area for the concrete.

Concrete bucket sizes range from 1/2 yard to 4 cubic yards. A chute can be attached to the concrete gate to pour with ease at any location. Concrete buckets are usually constructed of aluminum or steel.

Concrete Chutes

Concrete chutes are attached to buckets to place concrete with precision. There are small and large chutes to accommodate a range of pour sizes. Chutes come in portable or truck models and are usually made to work with a specific concrete bucket.

Soil Compaction Equipment

Soil compaction equipment helps finish a crack free, smooth concrete pour with vibrating equipment, plate compactors, power trowels, and screed machines.

Concrete Vibrating Equipment are machines designed to consolidate concrete by eliminating air pockets. Concrete vibrators come in a range of vibrator head sizes, flexible shafts, and electric or gas powered models. For completing jobs faster choose a concrete vibrator with higher horsepower, models range from 10 hp to 20 hp.

Plate Compactors come in tamper and roller versions, as well as single direction and reversible direction capabilities. Reversible compactors are more maneuverable and roller versions are less physically demanding on the user. Compactors range in travel speed from around 40’ per minute to 80’ per minute. Tamping compactors offer higher compaction force than rolling versions.

Power Trowels are used for both floating and finishing large cement slabs. Choose from walk behind and ride on power trowels depending on job size. Handheld power trowels can be used for finishing indoor countertop work. Walk behind and ride on power trowels are designed for completing larger jobs with ease. The most important consideration when deciding on a trowel is its max blade width because this will determine the area covered per pass.

are tools used to begin the process of smoothing and finishing a concrete job, preceding troweling, floating, or other finer finishing. Screeds come in manual or hydraulic versions. Screeds can be gas powered, roller-operated, or truss maneuvered. Screed’s with larger maximum bar lengths allow for faster finishing. Truss screeds are capable of covering the largest area and are perfect for finishing roads and highways. Roller screeds are best for medium sized jobs like sidewalks.

Concrete Forms

Concrete forms are available in plastic, wood, and steel, ideal for designing curbs, steps, foundations, footings and more. Steel forms come in a range of lengths, usually in one longer piece. Plastic forms are usually split into smaller pieces for easier storage and maneuverability. Both plastic and steel concrete forms come in stackable versions for deeper concrete pours. Wood forms are typically less expensive than steel forms and offer increased portability because of the smaller pieces and lighter weight. Choosing the right form material will depend primarily on your preferences and job requirements.

Corners and Fillers provide stability and strength to concrete forms to provide a clean, straight edge. Form Stakes hold forms in place while your concrete job cures. Stakes come in different lengths and materials to provide the right amount of support to the forms.

Plastic Forms can be straight or curved to mold concrete at virtually any job. Plastic forms are lighter weight and more mobile than wood or steel.

Steel Forms are able to provide more strength and support than plastic forms when concrete is curing. Steel forms can be straight or flexible and will last longer than plastic forms.

Core Drill Equipment

Core drills are either hand operated or attached to a rig to drill large holes through concrete, asphalt, and granite. Core drill rigs can go deeper than handheld drills alone, and both require specialty drill bits based on the application.

Core Drill Bits come in wet and dry models for drilling marble, concrete, tile, stone, and masonry. Drill bits range in length and circumference to accommodate an array of jobs.

Core Drill Rigs are used to provide a more powerful drill than a handheld drill. Rigs allow for faster and deeper drilling, perfect for larger jobs. It is important to consider a vacuum pump base or bolt anchor base depending on your portability needs. Bolted anchor bases offer more stability and straighter drilling than vacuum bases.

Handheld Core Drills are lightweight, easy-to-use core drills perfect for every day drilling jobs. Handheld drills can about 6” deep in concrete, asphalt, and masonry.

Consider adding accessories:


• Shaft extensions allow your current drill to drill deeper. Extensions range from 6” to 12” in length.
• Drill stands give your core drill more support during operation. Helps straighten and speed up drilling.
• Water tanks give you the ability to work longer without interruption and to move further from your current water source while drilling.

Grinders

Grinders are used to remove surface top layers such as paint, adhesive, or mastic for resurfacing.

Cement Floor Grinders smooth and level cement surfaces to prep for overlays and repair. Choose between single, dual, and four head grinders. The more heads, the more ground is covered in each pass. The price of the machine increases with the addition of heads. Grinders also come in flexible shaft versions to accommodate grinding on an assortment of surface areas, high or low. Ceiling grinders are available to make ceiling prep work more manageable.

Scarifiers plane, mill, and complete other surface preparation work. Scarifiers range in size and finish style depending on job size. Consider the cutting width and depth when choosing a scarifier.

Shot Blasters remove residues and adhesives from concrete to prepare for resurfacing. Blasters come in walk-behind and riding versions depending on your job needs.

Grout Pumps

Grout Pumps are used to fill hard to reach places and come in various pressure capabilities, aggregate sizes, and power types. Depending on the size and scale of the job, a hand operated or powered pump may be utilized. Examine the different output capacities before choosing. Hand powered pumps offer less output capacity, but transport easier and are best for smaller jobs. Hydraulic and compressed air pumps offer considerably more PSI and are best for larger jobs.

Paver Block Splitters

Paver block splitters are manual tools used to cut masonry, blocks, and stone on the job. Replacement blades are available when your blades get dull. When deciding on a paver block splitter, consider the blade length and maximum cut thickness, larger stones and bricks will require a larger blade and cutting thickness.

Rebar Tools

Use rebar tools to save time cutting, bending, and tying rebar. Rebar tools come in manual, battery powered, or electric models. Rebar cutter tune-up kits, tie wire, extension arms, and more accessories are available speeding up your concrete jobs. Rebar tools are rated by the max rebar grade and rebar thickness they are able to bend/cut, be sure the bender you choose meets your necessary standards.

Benders can create 0 to 180 degree bends, stirrups, and spirals with ease; electric or manual benders are available.

Cutter/Bender combos bring convenience to your concrete jobs by cutting and bending rebar, all with one tool.

Cutters help save time by cutting rebar with an electric, manual, or battery powered tool.

Safety Caps are used to cover sharp or jagged rebar ends, making the job safer for everyone. Rebar safety caps are made to fit a variety of rebar grades and size, be sure to check the size before deciding on safety caps.

Rebar Tiers replace the process of hand tying rebar and save you time. One handed models are available to make tying even more convenient.

Concrete Stamps

Stamps are rubber patterns on mats or rollers that are rolled over concrete to create the look of brick, slate, stone, flagstone, and sometimes wood.