Wire sawing is ideal for cutting reinforced concrete or metal. A multi-stranded cable with diamond beads, known as a diamond wire, is threaded through a series of pulleys and drive wheel. The ends of the diamond wire are then re-connected after being placed around or inserted through the concrete/steel to be cut. The wire sawing equipment is then used to rotate the diamond wire while at the same time pulling it through the structure being cut.

Since virtually no cross section or structure is to large for wire sawing, it is used when other methods are impractical or infeasible. Wire sawing is ideal for cutting bridge piers, towers, concrete machine pads, large diameter pipes, blast walls and large circular openings. Wire sawing is particulary effective in environments where vibration, shock or space is limited. Wire saws can be used above and underwater.