The modern market offers a variety of tools that perform different functions. Many people are familiar with some types, but there are also completely incomprehensible devices. These include a gas cutter, which is often used by professionals during construction and repairs.
What is a petrol cutter?
The tool is a self-contained yet compact circular saw equipped with a special rotating disk with a cutting edge. A petrol cutter is a device that, unlike its close relative, is capable of cutting hard rocks and materials. Thanks to the high speed of rotation of the disk, the tool can cut various products of impressive thickness in a short period of time. The main advantage is the possibility of use where there is no electricity. Today, the market offers household, semi-professional and professional models.
Petrol cutter device
When purchasing such a tool, it is important to understand that this is the most massive equipment, so special transport carts will be needed to use it. Regardless of the model, the main elements of the device are:
- frame;
- engine;
- chain drive;
- coated disk;
- lever;
- protective casing.
The cost of the product is directly related to the quality and size of the disc. Petrol cutters for metal are divided into groups for wet and dry cutting. In the first version, the device is additionally equipped with a casing with liquid supplied through special tubes to the material being processed and the disk. The cost of this equipment is much higher than those that do not have it.
The principle of operation of a gas cutter
The engine runs on a mixture of gasoline and oil. After switching on, the disk begins to perform rotational movements, due to which the desired surface is cut. To understand how to work with a gas cutter, it is worth knowing the features of these manipulations:
- the cutting depth is limited by the diameter of the disk;
- It is recommended to use a small sector when cutting;
- The gas cutter must be held at right angles to the surface being worked on;
- special wheels are used to cut different materials;
- Diamond discs are consumables that quickly deteriorate.
Design and principle of operation of a gas cutter
The main component of a gas cutting tool is an engine, mainly a 2-stroke engine, which runs on a fuel mixture of oil and gasoline. The unit is mounted on a housing equipped with special handles and controls. The functional part of the gas cutter is the drive, on which a cutting disc with a diameter of 300-400 mm, protected by a casing, is installed. The transmission of torque from the engine to the drive is carried out via a belt.
The main feature of modern gas cutters is the presence of a multi-stage dust protection system. It prevents contamination of the carburetor, cylinder-piston group and bearings. In addition, dry cutting uses water cooling of the disc. It effectively neutralizes the main flow of dust and prevents a number of negative consequences of overheating, in particular, premature wear of the cutting element and destruction of its structure, and also reduces the load on the engine.
When working with a gas cutter, it is necessary to maintain a right angle between the cutting disc and the surface being processed. This reduces the load on the drive and prevents slippage from the cutting line and damage to the cutting edge. The maximum insertion depth of the disk for various models is in the range of 10-30 cm. When cutting dry materials, you should not use a gas cutter for more than 30-50 seconds - within 15-20 seconds after making the cut, it is necessary to ensure free rotation of the disk.
Powerful models weighing more than 15 kg are equipped with transport trolleys with a remote control system or special legs, which allow the tool to be firmly fixed when cutting.
What is better: a gas cutter or a gas cutter?
You can compare tools for working with metal. You can understand which option is better by becoming familiar with the basic operating parameters of these devices. Let's look at the most important ones:
- The petrol cutter cuts the material due to the rotation of the disk. Gas cutting results in the combustion of metal in a stream of pure oxygen.
- Some types of products cannot be separated using a gas cutter; with a gas cutter, only thickness can become a problem.
- In terms of weight, a gas-powered device wins, because the operator only has to hold the burner itself, which, due to its size, weighs little. The cylinder is on the floor.
- For safety reasons, it is better to deal with a gas cutter. If you follow the operating rules, no problems should arise. Working with gas requires some special features regarding the placement of the cylinder and working conditions. In addition, interaction with gas is carried out with a welder’s mask.
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 gas cutters
Depending on the properties of the material being processed, tools fall into the following categories:
- For metal
. Power up to 4.2 kW. - On concrete
. Power more than 4.2 kW. The chain cutter for concrete has a disk rotation speed of 4.7 thousand revolutions/min. - Universal models
. The tools are endowed with the highest performance, as they are designed to work with different types.
In addition, there is a division according to purpose into:
- Rail cutters
- there is a mechanism that significantly expands the depth of cut. Used by railway line installers. - Wall chaser
– works with two diamond-coated discs. Used to create grooves for electrical wiring in various surfaces. - Chain cutter
- the tool looks like a gasoline saw; a diamond chain allows you to cut both metal and stone. - Chrome-plated gas cutters
- used for rescue operations.
Application
Using a chain cutter when cutting out door or window openings, it is possible to make holes on one side, reducing the duration of work. In this case, there is no need to prepare an auxiliary hole, which is necessary, for example, if a diamond blade is used as a tool. Popular applications include making holes for ducts and culverts, edging curbs, and other building renovations that require a wall saw.
All manufacturers of chain cutters for concrete, equipped with diamond chains, implement SealPro technology, which provides the ability to shocklessly cut materials of different ductility without a large amount of dust and sparks. This technology makes it safe to use the units in question in underground utility trenches.
During operation, the chain is lubricated with water. This overcomes high friction and removes dust generated during cutting.
Characteristics of gas cutters
The modern market offers a wide selection of different models. According to consumer reviews, the greatest demand is for semi-professional options that cost less and perform multiple tasks. This type of autonomous circular saw has the following characteristics:
- tool design;
- equipment power – on average 3-3.5 kW;
- cutting height – approximately 125 mm;
- disc diameter – about 350 mm;
- diameter of the mounting hole is on average 20 mm;
- engine volume – on average 65-75 cm³;
- tank capacity – approximately 0.65-0.7 l;
- noise level – approximately 95-100 dB;
- instrument weight – about 9.5-12 kg;
- additional functions.
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.
Disc for gas cutter
The division is carried out according to several criteria. Depending on the material that needs to be cut, discs come in the following types:
- For metal
. For working with different products and workpieces. - On wood
. The disc has sharp teeth located along the entire edge. - By stone
. There is diamond coating on the edge of the disc. - On concrete
. Presence of thick diamond coating. - For reinforced concrete
. Used where reinforcement is present.
In addition, the division occurs based on the appearance of the disk:
- Turbo disk
. A universal option for any type of cutting. Wave-shaped edge with slanted grooves. By reducing the thickness of the circle on the gas cutter, natural cooling of the disc occurs. - Solid
. Solid version with continuous diamond edge. Carry out wet cutting. - Segmented
. The edge has slots that help cool the blade during operation. Used for dry cutting.
What else is important to consider when choosing a gas cutter?
- Dust cleaning. When working with a cutter, a large amount of dust is separated, so it is important that the device is equipped with filtration - preferably two-stage, where the first stage will trap large dust particles, and the second - small ones.
- Safety for the user. The housing must be made of impact-resistant material that will protect the operator from flying sharp fragments. During operation, it is imperative to follow safety precautions and wear PPE - a mask or goggles, a hard hat (go to products).
- Brand. A popular and reputable manufacturer brand will make operation easier. The more widespread a particular manufacturer is, the easier it is to find the right parts for repairs, and the easier it is to achieve fast service.
Rating of petrol cutters
To make the right choice, it is recommended to first get acquainted with the models that are very popular. The best gas cutter should be chosen from the following list:
- Stihl TS 420
. Low vibration and comfortable handle shape allows you to work in any position. - Husqvarna K 760
. The petrol cutter quickly copes with the assigned tasks in the most emergency situations. - Makita DPC 6431
. Reinforced aluminum casing for low vibration. - Partner K 750
. The body of the model is shortened, which helps control the process. - Hilti DSH 900-X
. It has a powerful motor, reinforced with a protective casing. - Hitachi CM75EAP
. The cheapest tool. Suitable for cutting metal. - Echo CSG-680
. Manual petrol cutter with automatic ignition advance system. - Wacker Neuson BTS 635
S. A simple device with a durable body and good dust and moisture protection. - Oleo-Mac 983TTA-14
. Suitable for semi-professional use. - Solo 881-14
. The advantage is its lightness and good weight distribution. Technically complex device.
Advantages of gas cutters
The main advantages of this type of cutting tool are mobility and autonomy. Petrol cutters can work indoors and on construction sites where there is no electricity. Being a hand tool, they allow you to cut in hard-to-reach places.
With the purchase of a gas cutter, there is no need to purchase a whole arsenal of cutting machines. After all, this equipment is multifunctional and allows you to solve a wide variety of industrial and household tasks. Thus, gas cutters are used for cutting concrete, asphalt, brick or stone masonry, metal structures, plastics and composite materials. With their help, dismantling work, gating, cutting openings in walls and ceilings, etc. are performed. In addition, these units are successfully used in gardening, as well as in the construction of private houses and auxiliary buildings.
The petrol cutter is a rather massive and heavy tool. Therefore, when choosing a particular model, you should take into account its ergonomics, as well as the ratio of power, weight and vibration level.
Do-it-yourself petrol cutter
To save money, craftsmen can try to assemble the instrument themselves from available materials. A petrol cutter for asphalt or other material is made from the following items:
- chainsaw;
- grinder head assembly;
- tires;
- pulleys;
- belt.
The design of a gas cutter is as follows:
- The belt is located along the axis of the tire.
- The pulley is fixed to the sprocket.
- The gear in the grinder assembly has been removed. It is machined and a pulley is made to fit its dimensions, which is welded.
- The tires are shortened and welded.
- The attachment is removable and, if necessary, the chainsaw can be used for its intended purpose.
How to use a gas cutter?
The first thing you need to know when working with a special-purpose tool is compliance with safety precautions. It is important to use the following protection measures:
- glasses and mask;
- headphones;
- helmet;
- clothes made of thick fabric;
- closed shoes and gloves.
It is important to first check the instrument for possible damage. The correct procedure for starting a gas cutter is as follows:
- the instrument is placed on a flat surface;
- the lever is moved to the working area;
- open the air damper;
- start the engine with a sharp movement of the starter handle;
- close the air damper halfway to idle;
- release the shutter lever and press the start button.
Rules for working with a gas cutter
For high-quality and safe use, it is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- When performing dry cutting, care must be taken to ensure that the blade does not overheat. Costs every 2 minutes. make a stop.
- A complete and compact circular saw must have a protective cover.
- It is important to remember that the gas cutter is designed for straight cutting only.
- The edge of the saw blade should smoothly touch the work material. Movements should not be sudden or with strong pressure.
- Work begins after the tool has reached the required speed.
- The cuts are not made deep to prevent pinching of the disc.
- It is prohibited to grind products with a working disc. This will lead to cracks and destruction of the cutting edge.
- The correct position of the gas cutter is on top of the work surface.
