A petrol cutter is something between a circular saw and a grinder with a petrol engine. The petrol cutter is capable of cutting concrete, asphalt, pipes, brick - everything that a regular saw cannot handle. Depending on the model, they cut to a depth of 95 to 400 mm; a large grinder with a 230-th disk will barely cut 95 mm. This tool is loved by builders and rescuers for its high power and independence from the mains. In five minutes it can make a perfectly smooth opening in a reinforced concrete wall without dust:
But here’s how they did it the old fashioned way using a wall chaser and a hammer drill - long, crooked, difficult:
The advantages of the tool are obvious.
In this article you will find an overview of popular models and what to look for when choosing. The main characteristics of the tool are given in the table: Table of main selection criteria
| Criterion | Options | Description |
| Cutting type | Wet cutting | During cutting, water is supplied to the cutting disc, this ensures continuous operation and gentle use of the disc. Wet cutting tools are more expensive and belong to the professional class |
| Dry cutting | There is no water supply, so the disk is subject to overheating. Unmoistened dust gets clogged into the body, which reduces the life of the tool. | |
| Cutting depth | from 95 to 400 mm. | The cutting depth of the tool should be at least 10-20% greater than the depth to which the cut needs to be made. So, to cut an opening in a wall 15 cm thick, you need a tool with a cut of at least 17 cm. |
| Engine power | Up to 6 hp (4.5 kW) | Suitable for cutting metal |
| From 6 hp | Cutting concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, brick | |
| Rotational speed | Up to 4200 rpm Min | Metal cutting |
| More than 4200 rpm Min | Cutting concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, brick | |
| Cleaning system | 2, 3 or more filters | From at least two different filters - the external filter will filter out most of the dust, while the internal filter will further purify the incoming air. The more filters, the longer the instrument will last. |
Hitachi CM75EAP – from 42,000 rub.
The cheapest tool - other manufacturers charge at least 30% more. From a technical point of view, the device turned out to be successful. There is vibration on the handle. It starts easily, there is a characteristic “clunking” sound at idle, but this is the norm for this model. Suitable for working with metal, but difficult to work with concrete. Characteristics of Hitachi CM75EAP
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 10,4 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 120 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4200 |
| Power, hp | 4,1 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 350 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 (there is a ring for 25.4) |
| Noise level, dB | 115 |
| Development/production | Japan / China |
Echo CSG-680 – from RUB 60,600.
A successful model, despite some problems with ergonomics. The device is not lightweight, and poor weight distribution “adds” a couple of kilos. From a technical point of view everything is fine:
- a simple and therefore reliable diaphragm carburetor - the gas cutter works in any position;
- automatic ignition timing system compensates for low engine power;
- no problems with belt tension - the tension system is designed for people;
Characteristics of Echo CSG-680
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 11,5 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 125 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4400 |
| Power, hp | 3 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 355 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 |
| Noise level, dB | 107 |
| Development/production | Japan |
Owners may find it useful - a video about setting up a carburetor:
Makita EK7650H – from RUB 49,154. rub.
Semi-professional model with wet cutting function.
A distinctive feature of the model is its four-stroke engine. This is probably the first gas cutter from Makita that does not cause any complaints. Technically, the tool is as simple as a hammer, maintenance, repairs are simple and cheap. The tool fits well in the hand, vibrations on the handle are insignificant. Comfortable to work - suitable for long periods of work. Specifications Makita EK7301
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 12 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 97 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4300 |
| Power, hp | 4 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 300 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 |
| Noise level, dB | 109 |
| Development/production | Japan |
Suitable for private teams involved in repairs and small construction. Makita has provided a universal trolley to use the model as a seam cutter.
The cart is comfortable and has a tank for wet cutting. Branded fasteners allow you to quickly attach the tool. But in my opinion, the price of the cart is three times too high.
Wacker Neuson BTS 635 S – from RUB 65,000.
This model is suitable for cutting metal and concrete rings, but a reinforced concrete wall is difficult to use with this model.
Like all Wacker Neuson instruments, this model is the most pleasant experience to work with. The device is technically simple, the body is durable, well protected from dust and moisture - hence the long service life and service interval. Characteristics of Wacker Neuson BTS 635 S
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 11 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 122 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4240 |
| Power, hp | 5,8 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 350 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 25,4 |
| Noise level, dB | 109 |
| Development/production | Germany |
Wacker Neuson also provides a trolley for the BTS series gas cutters. Unified for wacker models, tank for wet cutting 20 liters.
The decision, again, is dubious - the price for them starts from 45,000 rubles. For high-quality cutting of seams in a concrete screed, a gas cutter on a trolley does not have enough weight - the machine periodically throws. A machine on a trolley is no substitute for a good seam cutter.
The following video shows how this model copes with a concrete slab:
Oleo-Mac 983TTA-14 – RUB 73,990.
The Oleo-Mac tool requires careful attention and is capricious in terms of fuels and lubricants.
You need to monitor the tension of the drive belt. It is difficult to get spare parts for Oleo-Mac. Regarding this motor cutter, there are no critical design flaws; the model is suitable for semi-professional use. There are slight vibrations on the handle, and, subjectively, an uncomfortable grip. Characteristics of Oleo-Mac 983TTA-14
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 11,4 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 125 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4240 |
| Power, hp | 5 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 350 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 25,4 |
| Noise level, dB | 118 |
| Development/production | Italy |
The video shows the model in action. You may notice difficulty starting the gas cutter - in cold weather this is normal for two-stroke engines.
Design features
The main component of the gas cutter is the engine. Most often this is a two-stroke gasoline engine, running on a combustible mixture of oil and gasoline. It is enclosed in a plastic case with 2 special handles and controls. The working tool is a cutting disk with a diameter of 350-400 mm, which is connected to the engine by a drive belt.
Most models have a multi-stage dust protection system that prevents contamination of the cylinder-piston group and carburetor. In addition, water cooling of the working surface is often used. Such a system is necessary to eliminate dust microparticles from the work area and prevent wear of the cutting tool.
Solo 881-14 – from RUB 81,044.
The most resourceful tool on the list, it will cope equally well with a thick-walled pipe and a reinforced concrete wall.
The advantages of the device are its lightness and good weight distribution. A technically complex device - equipped with a unique fuel mixing system, a self-cleaning filter, and a decompression system at startup. There are problems with heat removal; short breaks in work are necessary. Characteristics of Solo 881-14
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 10,5 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 125 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4450 |
| Power, hp | 5,4 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 350 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 (there is a ring for 25.4) |
| Noise level, dB | 98 |
| Development/production | Germany |
The Solo motor cutter is equipped with a unique iLube system, which itself prepares the fuel-oil mixture depending on the load. About this system and other goodies of the model in the video:
How concrete is cut
For cutting concrete, tools are used whose power starts from 4200 kW. The disk rotation speed is 4700 rpm and above. If the cutter does not meet these requirements, it will still get the job done on concrete. But such a unit will require more time and more effort on the part of the master.
Cutting techniques
Concrete is processed in two ways:
- Wet method
The technique involves the flow of water to the cutting site. The liquid enters through tubes that are connected to the protective casing. Water performs two important functions - cooling the disk and suppressing dust. The use of water resource reduces the time spent on the operation. The technician does not need to take frequent breaks to disperse dust. Water also increases the service life of the gas cutter.
- Dry method
The technology does not use water in the concrete processing process.
When working dry, the master wears safety glasses and a respirator for safety reasons. A break is taken every 30 seconds. The instrument needs it to avoid overheating. Dry cutting of material is allowed only for small volumes of work. The method can be combined with manually watering the cut area with water. What concrete cutting technique do you use most often?
WetDry
The question of which method to choose depends on the tool. Some models of gas cutters are designed to work dry, while others use a wet method.
Models with the wet method of cutting concrete are more expensive because they include an additional part. It is advisable to purchase such tools in situations where long-term operations with concrete are planned.
Processing rules
They rely on similar principles:
- The cut is carried out only in straight lines.
- To make the cut correctly, a cut is first applied to the material.
- Sawing is performed at maximum engine speed, which is achieved when the tool comes into contact with the material.
- The petrol cutter is held with both hands. The cutting edge must come into contact with the surface being processed smoothly - otherwise the movement of the tool will be unpredictable.
- When cutting a metal or concrete object, do not apply any pressure. The use of force leads to jamming of the disk due to overload of the device.
- The groove is cut in several approaches. The first cut should not be deep when working with large parts. A petrol cutter will not be able to cut a concrete slab straight in one go.
- When cutting, parts should be secured to avoid their unexpected displacement. Dimensional workpieces are positioned so that the likelihood of pinching the cutting attachment is minimal.
- During operation, the use of grinding discs is not allowed.
The rules for working with a gas cutter with concrete and metal are similar.
Tips for working with concrete
In most cases, concrete is cut using a manual chain saw. Outwardly, it resembles a chainsaw and is similar in its handling method. The advantage of concrete over metal is its low thermal conductivity. Concrete slabs do not heat up as quickly as metal plates under the influence of a tool.
Sawing concrete involves several subtleties:
- When working with concrete structures whose thickness is more than 10 centimeters, it is necessary to select special discs. Such materials are reinforced and are cut using special technology.
- Before starting to process the material, a “warm-up” is performed. The master makes an incision, the depth of which does not exceed 1 centimeter. This way he can determine the approximate period it will take to cut.
- In order to simplify the insertion, a wooden block is fixed along the cutting line. It plays the role of a ruler that prevents the instrument from moving to the side. This procedure is especially important when sawing large structures.
Cutting attachments
Sawing of concrete is carried out using steel discs. Their edges are coated with diamond coating, which makes it possible to work with stone. The advantage of diamond coating is protection against overheating. Craftsmen use abrasive wheels to work on metal.
The cutting attachments have the following features:
- The direction of rotation affects the wear rate of the part. Information on the rules for using nozzles is indicated by the manufacturer.
- Nozzles are divided into two groups depending on the conditions of use - for the wet or dry method.
Husqvarna K1260 – from RUB 85,390.
The power of this tool is higher than those presented in the article.
This is a professional model, supports wet cutting function. The tool is equipped with a decompression valve, so starting does not cause problems. The tool is heavy, but thanks to good weight distribution, working with it does not cause problems. There are no vibrations on the handle. Disadvantages include large dimensions and significant weight. There is a version of this model with a device for mounting on rails, called the K 1260 Rail model. Specifications Husqvarna K 1260
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 14.4 (21.5 with rail gripper) |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 145 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4700 |
| Power, hp | 7,9 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 400 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 25,4 |
| Noise level, dB | 102 |
| Development/production | Sweden |
Watch the video to see how this device copes with cutting a rail:
Owner reviews
Sergey, Stary Oskol: “I’ve been working with the Stihl 420 model for several years. The body is made of durable materials, well built. The balancing of this model is excellent both in horizontal and vertical operation. It fits comfortably in your hands thanks to the special handle. The unit is not light: about 10 kg. Horizontal cutting does not cause discomfort, but when cutting vertically, your hands get tired quickly. The engine is powerful and revvy, with moderate appetite. Over several years of operation, if malfunctions did occur, they were minor.”
Vasily, Zvenigorod: “I bought a Makita DPC 7330 to work on a suburban area. I used to have a chain cutter, but I needed a more versatile tool. I was attracted by the presence of a 5-stage air protection system, which extends the service life. The engine starts easily thanks to electronic ignition. The cutting disc allows you to make deep cuts. The sound during operation is loud, like all gas cutters. The main thing for beginners is to avoid overheating and heavy loads on the disk.”
Stihl TS-800 – from RUB 71,990.
Shtil makes high-quality chainsaws, and gas cutters are not inferior in quality.
I like the Stil for its simple design and availability of spare parts. Familiar builders who are regulars at my service speak flatteringly about this and the younger 420 model. The main problem with calms is that they are counterfeited. Characteristics of Stihl TS-800
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 12,7 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 145 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4290 |
| Power, hp | 6,8 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 400 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 |
| Noise level, dB | 101 |
| Development/production | Germany |
A specialist from the 220 Volt store talks about the Stihl 800 and the younger model 420:
The “eight hundredth” calm ends the rail:
Types of disks for gas cutters
Saw blades for gas cutters are divided according to the type of material being processed.
- A metal cutting disc is used to work with metal structures and products;
- The disc for cutting stone or concrete is distinguished by the presence of diamond coating;
- It is normal for a wood blade to have sharp teeth;
- For reinforced concrete.
Saw blades are also divided according to their appearance:
- Turbo disc;
- Solid;
- Segmented.
9. Husqvarna K 760 Cut-n-Break - from RUB 108,482.
The unique Husqvarna gas cutter cuts to a depth of up to 400 mm.
Suitable for builders who cut a lot of door and window openings. But the price is also high, so you have to calculate the benefits of using such a tool. But it is cheaper than using a large wall saw - such a device is more compact, and there are fewer diamond blades and therefore cheaper. As for the technical side, everything is sound, high quality and reliable. There is a wet cutting function. Specifications Husqvarna K 760 Cut-n-Break
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight, kg. | 11,1 |
| Cutting depth, mm. | 400 |
| Rotation speed, rpm | 4400 |
| Power, hp | 5 |
| Disc diameter, mm. | 230 |
| Diameter of seat, mm. | 20 |
| Noise level, dB | 113 |
| Development/production | Sweden |
In the following video you can see the technology for sequential cutting of a window opening using this model:
And here is the same video, but filmed live. Not so accessible, but spectacular:
Scope of application
Due to their autonomy, gas cutters can be used in any place inaccessible to a power tool. Their main area of application is various open construction sites. These tools are actively used in summer cottages and country cottages, as well as in finishing industrial premises where electricity is not provided.
Petrol cutters are actively used by rescue and fire services around the world. With the help of such a tool, you can quickly enter a closed room, open the body of a car, or dismantle a blockage. Autonomous circular saws are used when performing high-rise work, repairing industrial equipment and road infrastructure. Along with gas torches, gas cutters are used when cutting steels with low carbon content.
