Diamond blade are used to cut through different material, such as concrete, tile, and stone. However, several factor determine the depth of the cut. The diameter of the diamond blade not only determine the depth of the cut but also the saw guard.
The saw guard limits the depth to which the diamond blade can drop into the material being cut. Furthermore, the saw guard have a different function depending on the diameter of the diamond blade being used. In order to cut a material, the diamond blade has to match the depth requirement of the material to be cut.
How to Choose and Use Diamond Blades
Furthermore, the diamond blade has to be compatible with the saw that will be used to cut the material. The diameter of the diamond blade determine the depth of the cut. For example, a 7-inch diamond blade will cut approximately two and three-eighths inches into the material on most circular saw.
A 7-inch diamond blade will be sufficient for cutting standard block and pavers. On the other hand, a 4-and-a-half-inch diamond blade will cut less material. It will take two or three cut with a 4-and-a-half-inch diamond blade to achieve the same cutting depth as a 7-inch diamond blade.
Making several cut with a diamond blade will increase the amount of time that is spent sawing the material. Additionally, because there will be several cut with the blade, the diamond blade will wear down more quick. Finally, the cut may wander with a smaller diamond blade due to the number of times that the saw has to be repositioned.
The rim profile of a diamond blade can determine the rate at which the blade cuts into the material and the quality of the finish that is created. Segmented diamond blade have gaps between the segments that allow the cutting segments to clear the sawdust that is created when cutting dry. The segmented blades will also stay cool when cutting dry because air can enter the blade.
Continuous rim diamond blades have no gap in the blade. With continuous rim blades, a clean edge can be made on marble or porcelain. However, continuous rim diamond blades will overheat if use without water to cool the blade.
Lastly, turbo rim diamond blades have a wavy cutting segment on the blade. Turbo rim diamond blades provide a good balance between cutting speed and the quality of the cut on mixed stone material. People will typically buy diamond blades without considering there intended use.
For example, someone might purchase a segmented blade without considering whether the material that they are cutting will create sawdust. Using the wrong blade can lead to the material chip or the blade stalling while cutting. The method that is used to cool the diamond blade will determine the life of the blade and the amount of sawdust that will be in the air.
For example, wet cutting use water to help control the amount of sawdust in the air. Additionally, wet cutting extends the life of the diamond blade because the water keeps the steel core of the blade from overheating. On the other hand, dry cutting is used with segmented and turbo rim blades.
The gaps in segmented blades allow air to move through the blade. Periodically lifting the blade will allow the diamond blade to cool. However, continuous rim diamond blades must never be used in dry sawing condition because dry cutting will ruin the blade in a few minute of sawing.
Additionally, a blade that is only rated for dry sawing conditions should not be used in wet cutting conditions because the slurry will clog the blade. The RPM limits of the diamond blade have to be observed when cutting material. For example, a 14-inch diamond blade will have a higher RPM than a 4-inch diamond blade if the saw rotates both blades at the same speed.
Because of the high RPM of the 14-inch diamond blade, it will reach its RPM limit in a shorter period than the 4-inch diamond blade. If the RPM limit of the diamond blade is exceeded, the core of the blade may flex, and the segments of the blade may fly off the blade. Furthermore, the arbor size of the diamond blade has to be matched with the saw arbor size.
Small grinder will use a five-eighths-inch or five-eighths-eleven threaded mount arbor. However, floor saws will have a one-inch bore arbor. Using the wrong arbor size for the diamond blade will cause the blade to wobble when sawing.
A wobbling diamond blade will produce a rough cut in the material and may fail while sawing. The height of the segments of the diamond blade will determine the life of the blade. Taller segments will contain more diamond cutting material.
Therefore, taller segments will last longer when cutting abrasive material. For example, taller segments will last longer when cutting asphalt or green concrete. On the other hand, shorter segments will cost less money when purchasing the blade.
However, shorter segments will wear down more quick. Longer segments will allow for the diamond blade to last longer in the saw, reducing the amount of time that is spent replacing the blade. Finally, safety equipment has to be worn while using diamond blades.
Eye protection and a face shield will protect the face from the fragments that may be cut from the material. A respirator will keep the lung of the saw operator from getting exposed to the silica dust that is created during dry sawing. Additionally, the diamond blade should be inspected for cracks or missing segments before it is mounted onto the saw.
Finally, the saw guard has to be kept in place during sawing. The saw guard has small metal fragments that will catch if the diamond blade break. These fragments will keep the hands of the saw operator from entering the sawing zone.
