Concrete is one of the hardest materials to cut, and it gets even harder over time. Many jobs need you to cut it clean and cut fast. If you pick the right cutting tool, use the right blade, and control dust, you can cut concrete safely and keep the job moving.

This guide covers the concrete cutting tools contractors need to get through the work day, like saws, grinders, core drills, and diamond blades. You'll learn which tools to use, how blades differ, and when to choose wet or dry cutting.

Concrete often puts wear and tear on blades and tools. It's abrasive and is often reinforced with steel rebar or mesh. Cutting it creates heat, sparks, and very fine but dangerous dust. That dust can carry respirable crystalline silica, and long exposure can cause a lot of harm to your lungs. Not only that, but cutting concrete creates a lot of loud noise and vibration. Having a plan for what tools and equipment you need to accurately and safely cut concrete.

Key points:

• Pick a tool that matches the depth and line of the cut.
• Match the blade to the concrete and to the tool’s speed.
• Control silica with wet cutting or a HEPA extractor.
• Wear PPE. Eye protection. Hearing protection. Gloves. Boots. A respirator when risk calls for it.

Most of all, capture dust at the source. Keep the blade cool. Let the tool do the work.

Best for straight cuts in slabs, curbs, pavers, and blocks. Common blade sizes are 9 inches and 14 inches.

• Husqvarna K770 14" gas cut-off saw
  A jobsite classic for outdoor cutting. Gas power for steady torque and deep cuts up to about 5 inches. Good for demo, sidewalks, and asphalt.
• Milwaukee MX FUEL 14" cut-off saw
  Battery power for indoor or enclosed spaces. No fumes. Instant start. Great when you cannot run gas but need 14 inch depth and speed.
• Milwaukee M18 FUEL 9" cut-off saw
  Smaller and lighter body. Good for wall openings, smaller trenches, and precise work.
• DeWalt 60V 9" brushless cut-off saw
  Cordless option with strong torque and a familiar DeWalt battery ecosystem. Useful for quick cuts and flush cuts with rebar.

When to use: Demolition cuts, scoring slab lines, cutting pavers, trimming precast, trimming concrete pipe, cutting out door and window openings in block.

Good practice: Keep both a segmented diamond blade for speed and a turbo rim blade for balance of speed and finish. Wet cut outside when possible to control dust and extend blade life.

Best for detail cuts, corners, score lines, and surface prep. Highly maneuverable.

• Bosch GWX18V-13CN 18V PROFACTOR 5" - 6" X-LOCK Angle Grinder  
  Made for concrete, with a dedicated shroud that pairs with a dust extractor. Good for edges, high spots, and joint cleanup.
  
  
• Makita GA7021 7" angle grinder
  A high-amp grinder that can cut and grind with the right 7 inch diamond blade. Good for trimming rebar, scoring, and tight access.
  
  
• DeWalt 60V 7" brushless grinder with brake
  Cordless torque and a safety brake. Handy indoors and in lifts where cords are a pain.

When to use: Trim work near walls, removing lips or high spots, cleaning joints, cutting shallow chases, trimming sticking rebar, shaving patches.

Good practice: Use a turbo rim or segmented rim blade sized to the grinder. Fit a dust shroud and connect a HEPA extractor for indoor work.

Best for big flat work and deep, straight cuts.

• Husqvarna PG 450 planetary floor grinder
  A compact grinder for leveling, coating removal, and polishing prep. Folds for transport. Works wet or dry.
• Husqvarna PG 280 floor grinder
  Single disc with edge reach. Good for glue and paint removal, feather edges, and small rooms.
• Walk-behind floor saws (diesel or gas)
  Built for straight trench cuts, expansion joints, and full-depth slab removal. Choose based on blade size and horsepower needed.

When to use: Remove top coats, prep a slab for epoxy, correct flatness, open long trenches, and cut long joints straight.

Good practice: Use water for dust control when grinding large areas. Pair with an H-class extractor when running dry.

Best for round openings with clean edges.

Wet core drill rigs 

With diamond core bits. Clean, round holes for pipe, conduit, and HVAC. Water cools the bit and suppresses dust.

Dry core bits

For light duty or when water is not allowed
Smaller holes and shallower depth. Use extraction to control dust.

When to use: Plumbing penetrations, electrical penetrations, anchor bolts, and handrail posts.

Good practice: Anchor the rig, plumb the column, and start slow. Use a steady feed. Let the diamonds work.

The blade is the business end. Your cut depends on it.

Segmented rim blades
Fast cutting. Good airflow for cooling. Great for dry cutting and general concrete.

Turbo rim blades
Grooved rim for speed, plus a smoother edge. Good for mixed cutting and where you want cleaner edges.

Continuous rim blades
Best finish. Often used wet. More common on tile or stone, but can be used on concrete for very smooth edges.

Husqvarna Vari-Cut and Tacti-Cut lines
Workhorse blades for reinforced concrete, brick, and block. Choose a size to match your saw.

Milwaukee premium segmented and turbo blades
Durable options for handheld saws and grinders in sizes from 4-1/2 inch to 14 inch.

When to use: Choose segmented for faster processing in hard materials. Pick turbo when you want faster than continuous and smoother than segmented. Use water whenever possible to keep blades cool and long-lasting.

Cutting concrete dry creates fine dust that can hang in the air. When that dust contains respirable crystalline silica, it is a hazard. Many contractors now plan their cuts around dust control.

• Wet cutting is the simplest control. Water at the blade cools and knocks dust down. You will manage the slurry, but the air stays clearer. Wet cutting also helps diamond blades last longer.
• Dry cutting with extraction uses a shroud and a HEPA extractor. Connect your grinder or saw to a dust extractor with an auto filter clean. Keep the hose intact and the fittings tight.

A simple rule: if you are inside or near people, plan for water or a HEPA extractor. Even outside, extraction helps the crew and the neighbors.

These charts give you a fast way to choose the right concrete cutting tools and blade. The first matches common jobs to the best tool based on depth and speed. The second matches material and finish needs to the right rim type, so you can cut cleaner, faster, and with less wear.

Concrete cutting is as much about control as power. Keep these habits.

• Plan dust control before cutting. If you can wet cut, do it. If you must cut dry, use shrouds and an H-class or HEPA extractor with an auto filter clean. A tight hose and fittings matter as much as the vacuum.
• Match PPE to the task. Safety glasses or a face shield, hearing protection, gloves, boots, and a respirator for dust work. Keep a first aid kit nearby. Keep a fire extinguisher handy when you expect sparks near flammables.
• Keep blades healthy. Inspect for cracks, missing segments, or glazing. Dress glazed blades. Use the correct arbor. Tighten the flange. Never exceed the rated RPM.
• Mind your body. Use two hands on saws. Set your feet. Work at waist height when you can. Share heavy lifting. Rotate tasks to cut down on vibration exposure.

Diamond blades do not “cut” the way a wood saw does. They grind with small industrial diamonds bonded in segments. Heat and dust are your enemies. Cooling and clean air keep diamonds sharp and exposed.

Bond hardness: Hard bond for soft material. Soft bond for hard material. If you are cutting very hard concrete, use a softer bond so new diamonds expose quickly. If you are cutting green or softer masonry, use a harder bond so segments wear slower.

Segment style:

• Segmented for dry speed.
• Turbo for mixed speed and edge quality.
• Continuous for the smoothest edge when wet.

Dress the blade: If a blade feels slow, “dress” it by making a few cuts in an abrasive block or cinder to expose fresh diamonds.

Size and arbor: Match the blade to the saw. A 14-inch saw needs a 14-inch blade with the right arbor. Do not run a larger blade than the guard allows.

• Gas saws give you steady power and depth outside. They handle long cuts well. They are loud and make fumes. Best outdoors.
• Battery saws give you clean power and fast setup. No fuel. Ideal indoors or in lifts and tight spaces. Plan your battery swaps and charging.
• Corded grinders are light and steady, great with a dust shroud. They need power on site and a smart cord plan.
• Walk-behind units can be gas, diesel, propane, or electric. Pick based on site rules and the length of the cut.

Concrete cutting gets a lot easier when you treat it like a system, not a single tool. Start with the cut requirements, then match the right cutting tools and diamond blade to the material, depth, and finish you need. From there, lock in dust control with wet cutting or a HEPA extractor, and back it up with the right PPE and safe handling habits. With a solid setup, you get faster cuts, longer blade life, cleaner air on the jobsite, and results you can be proud of.