The wire saw originated in quarries to extract stone, and is an exceptional method for cutting thick concrete structures. The wire has a steel core of strands approximately 6m. diameter and can be almost any length. 10mm diamond beads are spaced along its length approximately 30mm apart. The beads are separated by either small springs, plastic or rubber, depending upon the type of wire and the manufacturer. The wire is positioned over the pulleys and fed through pre-drilled holes in the concrete that is being cut and back over the drive pulley. The wire can be of almost any length and is joined by special crimps.

Sawing is carried out by at a constant speed, whilst applying pressure on the wire by gently applying a steady backward movement by expanding the pulleys. Like a cheese wire.

It removes large sections of reinforced concrete, such as piers, towers, and bridge sections.