Tackling a concrete trench

[lordofpi]

As usual, there is not really a more-appropriate subforum in which for this thread, so here it goes. I have been commissioned to do some service work wherein a new bunch of circuits must be installed in new conduit. In order to get to where I must go with this in the way the business owner desires, I must cut a couple different trenches along the way in 35 year-old large-stone concrete in order to string my run of RMC. I'm running size 3/4, so the trench is about 2.5'' wide and about 6-8 inches deep.

I have already cut the first trench (a short one -- only about 8 feet long with 90s along the way) using a concrete blade on my circular saw to frame the trench and then the chisel function on my Hilti drill to pound the rest up. Total time working on this part had to be 10 hours so far (not counting any actual electrical work such as stringing the conduit). I've created years worth of dust in the building, my hands hurt, my eyes feel like sandpaper, and I feel like I am wasting a lot of hours on what ought to be a simple job. Before I get into the rest of this job, I'd like to hear if any of you all have any suggestions on a better way to tackle this. My drill worked like a champ, but it is nevertheless not designed for this scale of a job.

 

[220/221]

Don't you have sawcutters in your area?

I can't imagine spending 10 hours on the floor with a skil saw.

They have the proper tools and make short, clean work of it.

 

[brian john]

I did this once subed it out to a company that does rock removal they brougt in a ram-hoe, a jack hammer on a back hoe...nice clean trench.

 

[480sparky]

I agree. Let the pros who know how to cut & remove concrete have at it. They'll tear it up in no time, and you can go on to what you do best.

About 4 years ago, I had to do a build-out in a new mall. 6" floor had already been poured, and the new tenant required 36 floor receps. No way was I going to cut, bust and remove all that.

I simply laid it out on the floor, contacted a concrete cutting company. They had it cut, removed, and all cleanup done by lunchtime.

 

[iwire]

Not a question in my mind at all, hire saw cutters to cut, remove and patch.

If you did not bid high enough to cover this cost then your definitely going to be making little money per hour to do it yourself.

Paying an electrician to do this work is throwing money away especially without having the proper tools.

At the very least if you have to do this yourself go out and rent the right equipment.

 

[lordofpi]

Not a question in my mind at all, hire saw cutters to cut, remove and patch.

If you did not bid high enough to cover this cost then your definitely going to be making little money per hour to do it yourself.

Paying an electrician to do this work is throwing money away especially without having the proper tools.

At the very least if you have to do this yourself go out and rent the right equipment.

Yes, this was definitely a miscalculation on my part. I have located a good company for saw cutting and will use them in the future. However, since I am already entrenched in this quagmire, what is the best way for me to finish this job by myself? My 36V circular saw I have does nice work, but the dust seems to go everywhere and the breaking is still tedious. I suppose I will end up having to rent a pneumatic jack? What is best for this?

I figure if I rent the right tools and can get the remaining segments done in 4-5 hours, then I'll be satisfied just to get this job done.

 

[480sparky]

I figure if I rent the right tools and can get the remaining segments done in 4-5 hours, then I'll be satisfied just to get this job done.

If that's all it will take to wrap it up, then I'd suggest doing it. If your own tools aren't up to the job, you aren't doing yourself any favors by ruining them to get the job done.

You may take some lumps on the bottom line on this one, but write it off as a learning experience.

 

[lordofpi]

If that's all it will take to wrap it up, then I'd suggest doing it. If your own tools aren't up to the job, you aren't doing yourself any favors by ruining them to get the job done.

You may take some lumps on the bottom line on this one, but write it off as a learning experience.

Well, I'm being exceedingly optomistic. It'll probably be more like 8 on the outside, but I'm starting to think you are right. It's worth it not to ruin my tools. And my hands.... the burning soreness!

 

[cadpoint]

Wet Saw ...

Wet Saw ...

Jack hammers where on site at 6 AM till 7:30, school is in Session ...:wink:

Didn't think twice about it till the post ...

 

[Denis]

if you are going to use a handheld concrete saw, i recommend a makita / dolmar

doing it wet will cut the dust