Diamond Blade Do’s And Don'ts

To get the most use out of your blades and saws, avoid making typical blunders. Various methods can be used to damage diamond blades. They become shattered, bent, scorched, stuck, and bent (and then hammered with a hammer). Both how it looks and how it is used are ugly.

A few words of wisdom can prevent the overuse and abuse of diamond blades, whether you're using them on a gas-powered saw, electric hand saw, or walk-behind saw.

FACTORS THAT AFFECT LONGEVITY

The length of a blade can vary significantly based on a number of factors. Blade quality—including diamond quality and concentration, segment bond, and width—is one important consideration. Consider the possibility that two blades with the same diameter could have varying diamond depths, diamond concentrations, and segment heights.

Synthetic diamonds for saw blades are graded similarly to traditional diamonds. According to Ted Skaff of Pearl Abrasive Co., "A higher-quality diamond is going to perform better and definitely last longer." In some circumstances, it might also grind or cut more quickly.

The type of material that needs to be cut is another important determinant of blade life. A different blade is needed to cut strong materials like concrete than soft, abrasive materials like asphalt. Diamonds must be exposed more immediately and held to the section with a softer connection when working with more rigid materials.

You could use a blade made for cutting concrete to cut asphalt, and while it would work, it wouldn't last very long. Aggregate size, sand type (round and non-abrasive vs. sharp and abrasive), aggregate hardness (decided by rock type), and reinforcing steel (quantity, grade, and gauge) all have an impact on how cutting concrete affects blade life.

The amount of cutting required will determine how long a blade will be usable on a job. According to Fisher, using a blade to cut a large stretch of highway is different from using a blade to cut a driveway.

The blade's life is also influenced by the saw that is used with it. According to Skaff, a cutting tool with a high RPM will wear down a blade more quickly than one with a low RPM.

The operator can also decrease the lifespan of a blade. According to Skaff, an operator who exerts more significant pressure tends to wear out a blade more quickly than one who exerts less pressure.

TIPS FOR A LONGER LIFE OF A DIAMOND BLADE

Manufacturers recommend the following dos and don'ts to maximize blade life in light of these factors.

DIAMOND BLADE: DO'S

A. DO USE THE APPROPRIATE BLADE FOR THE TASK

There are blades made especially for cutting masonry, concrete, and green concrete. Application-specific blades are designed with a particular bond to fulfill the requirements of a given application, in contrast to general-purpose blades, which can handle a variety of cutting activities. They work best and last longer.

B. DO USE WET BLADES ONLY WHILE THEY ARE WET

The practice of operating a wet blade dry is a widespread error. Never use a wet blade dry. A blade can burn out quickly from the friction of concrete (or even asphalt). Even dried blades can be used wet; doing so might even lengthen blade life and enhance productivity. A blade's adversaries are heat and dust. Both enemies are defeated by using a wet blade.

C. DO SET UP THE BLADE CORRECTLY

A blade will frequently be spun in the wrong direction by saw operators. Even if a blade rotates in the opposite direction, it will still cut, and the diamonds will be consumed quickly. To ensure that the blade is placed correctly and spins in the desired direction, pay close attention to the directional arrows labeled on the blade.

Remember to include the drive-behind pinhole when mounting a blade on walk-behind saws. The second hole on the flange stabilizes the blade and prevents wobbling in addition to the center harbor.

D. DO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN MAKING TURNS

For walk-behind saws, Skaff adds one more word of advice: "Don't spin the saw while the blade is still in the cut if you are an inch or more into a cut and wish to turn. Due to a machine changing directions while the blade is still cutting, I've witnessed blade parts bend and break.

"Make sure your machine is off, the blade is up out of the cut, and the machine is unplugged if you're going to change directions," the manufacturer advises.

E. WHEN CUTTING SOFTER MATERIALS, USE A FIRM BOND, AND WHEN CUTTING HARDER MATERIALS, USE A SOFT BOND.

The process of the diamonds being crushed down as the blade spins through the material, sloughing off diamonds to reveal another diamond layer, explains this odd phenomenon.

In order to grind through softer materials more effectively, a firmer bond keeps diamonds in place for a more extended period.

It's crucial when working with hard materials to continuously wear away the diamonds in order to reach the layer of diamonds underneath them. This can happen thanks to a delicate relationship.

F. FOR SOFT MATERIALS, USE BROAD GULLETS; FOR HARD MATERIALS, USE NARROW GULLETS

The gaps between the segments of a segmented diamond cutting blade aid in the removal of the slurry of ground-down diamonds and matrix material. Effective slurry removal is essential to prevent the blades from overheating from contact with the material.

The amount of slurry created when cutting the soft material necessitates a more giant gullet.

You can get away with employing a blade with a narrower gullet when working with more rigid materials because they don't produce as much slurry.

G. DO CHECK THE TYPE OF AGGREGATE BEFORE CUTTING CONCRETE

The term "aggregate" describes materials mixed with concrete to give it strength. There are harder aggregate types than others. Crushed stone, gravel, recycled concrete, sand, slag, and geosynthetics (artificial materials) are the most often used materials. The ideal concrete cutting blade for the project can be chosen after you are aware of the aggregate composition.

DIAMOND BLADE: DON'TS

A. DO NOT BE INTRUSIVE

Saws and blades are no different from other types of equipment in that they can break if their working limits are exceeded. In order to finish a task quickly, avoid pushing a blade too forcefully.

B. DON'T LET THE BLADE GET TOO HOT

A diamond blade that has been overheated can shatter and age prematurely. Make sure to pause occasionally when using a dry blade so that it can cool down. Otherwise, make sure you have enough coolant (such as clean, cold water) for a wet job. You might need to let a wet blade run freely for about 10 seconds at a time to let the air cool it off.

You can use a dry-cutting blade for a wet job, but not the other way around. When utilized for a dry task, a wet diamond blade can overheat and possibly break off, creating a hazardous flying object.

C. DON'T USE A BLADE MADE FOR A LOW-HORSEPOWER SAW ON A HIGH-HORSEPOWER SAW

The diamond blade will deteriorate far more quickly in this situation than it would typically. However, using a high-horsepower blade on a low-horsepower saw is a bad idea since the blade may harm the material or the saw itself.

D. DON'T PERMIT DIAMOND BLADES TO BE USED BY INEXPERIENCED SAW OPERATORS

A skilled saw operator is aware of the best ways to operate a diamond-cutting blade. A skilled operator knows when and how to "dress the blade," which involves cutting something abrasive to reveal new diamonds, in addition to correctly matching the blade to the work (and the saw).

The saw operator must also adhere to the suggested operating speeds for the blade and the saw. The blade maker will have a maximum safe speed as well as a suggested speed for its diamond-cutting blades.

E. DON'T IGNORE MAINTAINING YOUR SAW

A saw's upkeep, in addition to how it runs, can affect how long a diamond blade lasts. All parts of the saw are critical, but it's essential to examine the drive belts, bearings, spindles, water jet flow, and water pump.