Concrete wall chaser: an indispensable tool for electrical work

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Among the various hand-held electric tools, wall chasers stand in a special place. This equipment is often used when performing construction and installation work - making grooves in structures designed for laying utility lines. The principle of operation of a concrete chaser, its types and technical characteristics are often unfamiliar to a wide range of users. Today, for everyone who is interested in this kind of tool, we will tell you how to choose the right model of a wall chaser, study its main and additional characteristics, and also give reviews of masters who are already using this device in their work.

The use of a wall chaser significantly speeds up the execution of work on the laying of internal electrical networks in buildings made of brick and concrete

What is a wall chaser and how does it work

A wall chaser is an electric hand-held tool designed to cut grooves (grooves) in building structures made of bricks and concrete, for subsequent laying in them electrical wiring and pipes of various diameters. The main structural elements of such a tool are:

Electrical engine - ensuring the functioning of the tool;
mechanical gearbox with saw blade fasteners - ensures the performance of the required operations.

Wall chaser device - basic and additional structural elements

The main elements are placed in a common building, on which additional structures and devices are located:

protective cover - protects the worker from concrete particles flying out during work;
connector - serves to connect an external vacuum cleaner that removes the generated dust and small solid particles;
pens - provides ease of use during work;
videos - allows you to move the tool on the work surface;
target mark - allows you to maintain the correct direction while cutting;
other elements - makes it easier to use the tool.

Concrete wall chaser "Makita SG 1250" is the most demanded model in this segment of hand tools

To perform the work, saw blades are used, made of metal and abrasive materials with the application of special coatings (diamond, carbide, etc.), which are installed on the gearbox spindle and differ in purpose, design and types of use. A distinctive feature of the chaser from other sawing tools is that the gearbox mounting elements (spindle) provide for the installation of two discs at once, placed at a certain distance from each other, which ensures the specified width of the created furrow.

The distance between the saw blades determines the width of the resulting furrow

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of the furrow cutter is similar to the operation of any electric tool and is carried out as follows:

when the "Start" button is turned on, the electric motor starts to rotate;
the rotational movement of the motor shaft is transmitted to the gearbox shaft, on which the saw blades are fixed;
the discs are brought into contact with the work surface and sawing is performed.

To protect the employee, a protective casing is provided on the body, and a connector for connecting an external vacuum cleaner is provided for dust removal. A support platform is provided on the body of the device, which moves along the treated surface. It has a certain degree of mobility, due to which the cutting depth is adjusted. For overload protection and ease of use, the models can be equipped with additional functions.

When using a wall chaser, the grooves are smooth, which is convenient when performing subsequent construction and installation work

Types of wall chasers

Wall chasers by their design and types of use are divided into several types:

Electric models - used on surfaces made of hard materials.
Hand models - used on building structures made of aerated or foam concrete, which are soft materials.
Attachments for an angle grinder (grinder) - are not an independent type of tool, but can only be used in tandem with angle grinders.

The manual wall chaser is simple in design and use

Main technical characteristics

The technical characteristics of any tool determine the possibilities of its use, and for electric models of wall chasers, these are:

electric power - determines the performance and can be 1–1.5 kW for models used for personal use, and up to 3 kW for professional use;
weight - directly depends on the electrical power, respectively, the higher it is, the greater the weight of the tool;
spindle speed - the quality of sawing of the processed surface depends on this indicator, the higher the speed, the more qualitative the edges of the cut are obtained;
dimensions of the cut - this is the depth and width, determine the effectiveness and scope of the model, measured in mm;
saw blade diameter - this indicator is different for different models, which is associated with the design of the case and the protective casing, its dimensions are standard - 115-230 mm.

The attachment for the angle grinder of the chandelier type expands the functionality of the angle grinder, but cannot be compared with the performance and quality of sawing special tools

The attachment for the "angle grinder" of the "shtroborez" type expands the functionality of the angle grinder, but cannot be compared with the performance and quality of sawing special tools

The weight of wall chasers can be from 3 to 9 kilograms, which depends not only on the power of the electric motor, but also on the design of the device and the materials used in its manufacture. The speed of rotation for different models is different, therefore, when choosing a specific device, it is necessary to imagine what materials are to be worked with with greater probability and intensity. This is due to the fact that 6–9 thousand revolutions per minute is quite enough for brick processing, and for concrete this value should be 11–12 thousand revolutions per minute.

Professional models are powerful and heavy

Assistant systems and equipment options

The auxiliary systems that can be equipped with a wall chaser include:

overload protection;
protection against accidental activation;
protection against jamming discs;
protection against dust ingress into the inner space of the case;
control of the spindle speed;
smooth start;
vibration damping;
automatic maintenance of the cutting depth;
control over the direction of movement and change in the direction of movement.

Saw blades are used as consumables, which are classified according to the outer and bore diameters, as well as the material from which they are made.

Wall chaser brand "HITACHI" model "CM7MRU"

How to choose - expert recommendations

Due to the variety of offers on the electric tool market, it is often difficult to choose a specific model for a particular type of use. In this case, sales consultants, search engines on the Internet, as well as advice from specialists who have experience with the tool of interest to the user come to the rescue.

Electric wall chaser "ZUBR" brand "ZSH-1500"

The specialists of our editorial office have worked on this issue, and here is what they advise you to pay attention to when choosing a specific model of a wall chaser:

For home use, a model equipped with an electric motor of 1–1.2 kW is quite enough, moreover, it will weigh relatively little, which will simplify its use.
If the work is to be performed at the same time, then the issue of renting a wall chaser should be considered, which is much cheaper than purchasing a new tool. In addition, you can take a vacuum cleaner from the landlord, which will reduce the amount of dust and dirt that forms during operation.

Semi-professional models have sufficient functionality and relatively low weight

Models with a capacity of 1.5–2 kW are more productive and are semi-professional. They combine sufficient functionality and the ability to work for 60–90 minutes without stopping. More powerful ones belong to the category of a professional tool that can work for a long time with high intensity.
When choosing a wall chaser, it is necessary to understand what kind of communications it will be used for, because the technical characteristics of the tool also depend on the width and depth of the groove required for manufacturing. For the installation of electrical wiring, you can use less powerful models, because the width and depth of the furrow are not significant, and for laying water pipes, heating systems and sewerage systems, the grooves should be more voluminous, and, accordingly, the tool should be more powerful.

Single-disc models are capable of sawing deeper grooves, but this requires two passes along each of the edges of the groove being created

For the manufacture of grooves of considerable depth, one-disk models or angle grinders (angle grinders) should be used.

What you need to know about construction wall chaser vacuum cleaners

The presence of a branch pipe for connecting a vacuum cleaner and the vacuum cleaner itself ensures safe work both for the specialist working with the tool and for the surrounding space. The most optimal option for such a tandem - "wall chaser-vacuum cleaner", is to use a construction vacuum cleaner with sufficient power and a chaser equipped with a connector for its connection.This is due to the fact that the vacuum cleaner can be used when performing other types of construction and installation work. In turn, the wall chaser without a vacuum cleaner can be used in hard-to-reach places, where the presence of hoses and other accessories interferes with the work.

A wall chaser with a construction vacuum cleaner will ensure safe work

The best models according to the editorial board and consumer reviews

Wall chasers, as well as other types of electric hand tools, are manufactured by all well-known domestic and foreign companies operating in this product market. In the opinion of our editorial staff, supported by user reviews, the following models of chasing chasers are most popular, while the popularity rating increases as they are listed.

Model "Fiolent BZ-40"

Electric tools under the brand name "Fiolent" are manufactured by JSC "Plant" Fiolent "(Simferopol, Crimea).

Model "Fiolent BZ-40"

The Fiolent BZ-40 model belongs to the group of semi-professional tools and has the following technical characteristics:

electric power - 1.6 kW;
spindle speed - 9000 rpm;
weight - 4.3 kg;
saw blade diameter - 150 mm;
the depth of the furrow to be cut is 41 mm.

A distinctive feature of the design is the ability to quickly transform into Angle grinder.

Feedback on the Fiolent BZ-40 model:
Read more on otzovik: http://otzovik.com/review_2664610.html

Model "Interskol PD-125 / 1400e"

The INTERSKOL company is a well-known domestic manufacturer of electric hand tools and various accessories associated with its use.

Model "Interskol PD-125 / 1400e"

The PD-125 / 1400e chasing cutter model is intended for domestic use and has the following technical characteristics:

electric power - 1.4 kW;
spindle speed - 9500 rpm;
weight - 3.9 kg;
saw blade diameter - 125 mm;
the depth / width of the furrow to be cut is 30/29 mm.

Model "Fiolent B1-30"

Another popular wall chaser, manufactured in the Republic of Crimea, intended for domestic use.

Model "Fiolent B1-30"

A distinctive feature of this model is the double-sided front handle, which allows you to work in confined spaces. Main technical characteristics of "Fiolent B1-30":

electric power - 1.1 kW;
spindle speed - 6200 rpm;
weight - 3.5 kg;
saw blade diameter - 125 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - 30/30 mm.

Model "Caliber Master SHTBE 2600 / 230m"

This is a wall chaser made in China, it has considerable power and can be used as a professional tool.

Appearance Caliber Master SHTBE 2600 / 230m

Appearance of "Caliber Master SHTBE 2600 / 230m"

The main technical characteristics of the model:

electric power - 2.6 kW;
weight - 10.5 kg;
saw blade diameter - 230 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - up to 65/40 mm.

Bison ZSh-1500 model

Zubr ZSH-1500 is another model of domestic production, intended for domestic and semi-professional use. Its distinctive feature is the optimal price-quality ratio in this category of tools.

Model of the chaser "Zubr ZSh-1500"

Basic technical characteristics of the Zubr ZSh-1500:

electric power - 1.5 kW;
spindle speed - 7000 rpm;
weight - 5.9 kg;
saw blade diameter - 150 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - 45/45 mm.

Feedback on the Zubr ZSh-1500 model:
More on IRecommend: http://irecommend.ru/content/dolgoigrayushchii-0

Model "Makita SG1251J"

Makita is a world famous Japanese brand, and the SG1251J wall chaser is a clear proof of the popularity of this brand of electric hand tools.

Appearance and case for the "Makita SG1251J" model

Distinctive features of "Makita SG1251J" are high performance at a fairly low weight of the device. Main technical characteristics:

electric power - 1.4 kW;
spindle speed - 10,000 rpm;
weight - 4.5 kg;
saw blade diameter - 125 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - 30/30 mm.

Model "Bosch GNF 20 CA"

Bosch GNF 20 CA is a product of a German manufacturer of electrical tools and other technical devices. Distinctive features of this model is its narrow focus, associated with design features.

The Bosch GNF 20 CA curtain cutter is used for the installation of electrical and low-current networks in buildings made of bricks and softer building materials

Curtain cutter "Bosch GNF 20 CA" is used for the installation of electrical and low-current networks in buildings made of bricks and softer building materials

Technical characteristics of the model:

electric power - 0.9 kW;
spindle speed - 9300 rpm;
weight - 2.8 kg;
saw blade diameter - 115 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - 20/23 mm.

Feedback on the "Bosch GNF 20 CA" model:
Read more on otzovik: http://otzovik.com/review_850646.html

Model "AEG MFE 1500"

This model of the German brand is produced in China. Distinctive features of "AEG MFE 1500" are reliability and ease of use.

Wall chaser model "AEG MFE 1500"

Main technical characteristics:

electric power - 1.5 kW;
weight - 4.1 kg;
saw blade diameter - 125 mm;
the depth / width of the furrow to be cut is 30/26 mm.

Model "Bosch GNF 35 CA"

This model is the best in its category of tools, and its distinctive features are high performance and reliability. The wall chaser has a spindle speed control and a soft start system, as well as speed stabilization under significant loads and overheating protection. The presence of a mechanical interlock prevents the saw blade from jamming, thereby saving the tool in abnormal situations.

Professional model "Bosch GNF 35 CA" with a case for storage and transportation

Main technical characteristics:

electric power - 1.4 kW;
spindle speed - 9300 rpm;
weight - 4.7 kg;
saw blade diameter - 150 mm;
the depth / width of the sawn furrow - 35/39 mm.

Feedback on the "Bosch GNF 35 CA" model:
Read more on otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_6391719.html

Model "Metabo MFE 65"

Professional model, made in Germany and designed to work with various types of building materials. The chaser is equipped with comfortable handles with vibration damping function, and a specially designed spindle lock makes it easy to change discs.

Scope of delivery of the Metabo MFE 65 wall chaser model

Delivery set of the Metabo MFE 65 wall chaser model

Main technical characteristics:

electric power - 2.4 kW;
spindle speed - 6500 rpm;
saw blade diameter - 230 mm;
depth / width of the furrow to be cut - 65/41 mm.

At what price can you buy a concrete wall chaser - an overview of prices for popular models

Concrete wall chasers can be bought in shops and retail chains selling handheld electric tools and building materials, as well as on Internet resources, where you can also find the right model at an affordable price. The following table shows the average cost of the popular models discussed in this article, when sold through Internet companies, as of Q2 2018.

Model	Picture	Average cost (as of May 2018), rubles
Fiolent BZ-40		7500
Interskol PD-125 / 1400e		5000
Fiolent B1-30		5700
Caliber Master SHTBE 2600 / 230m		11000
Bison ZSH-1500		8500
Makita SG1251J		29000
Bosch GNF 20 CA		33000
AEG MFE 1500		25000
Bosch GNF 35 CA		42000
Metabo MFE 65		5000

In different trade organizations, the price of the tool may slightly differ, which is associated with overhead costs and the remoteness of outlets from storage sites and delivery points. A large assortment of various models allows each master to choose the best repair tool, it is important to simply determine for yourself the set of necessary functions and the price category. And for completeness, we suggest watching a video of how a wall chaser works.