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Words and Photos: Shawn Nelson, President at Elite Distribution
With such a large variety of diamond blades in the market, choosing the right diamond blade for a specific job can sometimes seem overwhelming. The consequences of not using the correct diamond blades can range from poor performance to ruined blades. For the mason contractor, making the right selection when purchasing a diamond blade is crucial, but the amount of options can make it seem like an impossible task. Between navigating the wide range of styles, fancy designs and marketing lingo, sorting through all of the sizes and specs and figuring out how much you should spend can be downright exhausting.
Before you decide, keep in mind: There isn't one best diamond blade that'll work for everything. It's important to consider your personal needs when you shop.
What To Consider When Choosing A Diamond Blade
Choosing the correct blade for the application will determine speed of cut and life of the blade. Select a blade based on which type of material you will be cutting. For example, a diamond blade for cutting block shouldn&#;t be used for cutting brick. Remember, wet blades have to be used with water while dry blades can be run dry or with water.
The type of saw you&#;re using, the material you are cutting, and the size of the job will all play a role in determining which diamond blade is best suited for your needs. You also want to consider cost, convenience, durability and any job site issues &#; i.e., whether water is available or noise levels come into play. We'll break down these topics (and more!) to help you decide.
Price
For smaller jobs or occasional use, a lower-priced blade may be the best choice. Keep in mind, the lowest-priced/quality blades can come with safety concerns. For larger jobs or regular use, it is usually best to get a higher quality diamond blade for a better overall cost per cut. However, like with many things, the most expensive blade is not always the best value.
Diamond Segment Height
Segment height can be misleading when determining a diamond blade&#;s value. It only comes into play when comparing blades of equal quality. A high quality blade with a short segment is often a better value than a low quality blade with a taller segment. The factors that are most important are the size and quality of the diamonds along with the overall diamond concentration.
Buying Tip: The Diamond Concentration Sales Pitch. Don&#;t be impressed by claims of high concentration. Too much diamond can make the blade too hard for lower power saws. For example, 35% concentration blades are only for 30 horsepower and larger saws. Masonry saws do no have enough power to run a blade with that high of concentration.
Types of Diamond Blades
Segmented and turbo diamond blades are the most popular types, but additional types have become more common to give contractors a variety. Within each type, you can still find a wide range of quality levels and price points. Here's how to select your diamond blade type:
Segmented - Longer blade life. Chipping may occur. Segmented blades have gullets which are the spaces between the segments. They allow for air flow, cooling and slurry removal.
Continuous Rim Turbo - Faster cutting, shorter life. Less chipping.
Segmented Turbo - Faster than segmented, longer life than turbo.
Continuous Smooth Rim - Little to no chipping.
Cores
Sandwich Silent Core - (Greatest sound reduction)
Laser Cut & Laser Cut Epoxy Filled Cuts- (Limited sound reduction)
Where to Buy Diamond Blades
Shopping Local
Some significant benefits of buying local is that you get to see the product and salesperson in person and usually has same-day availability. There certainly is value in dealing with someone face to face and having a product that you can get on short notice. That being said, local shopping can limit your choices, as it&#;s common for only offer one or two brands.
Shopping Non-Locally
This route can be a great alternative (or addition) to a local supplier. It can be convenient to simply call, text or in an order and have it delivered to your door or even job location. Note that some non-local suppliers can offer a better price because they don't have the overhead of a brick-and-mortar store. The more specialized a supplier is in diamond blades, the more knowledgeable they should be. They also usually offer a much wider selection. Shipping charges can be a possible disadvantage when buying non-locally. If there are, ask the supplier if there is a way they can be avoided.
Return Policies and Warranties
It's difficult to know whether your diamond blade is a good fit without actually using it and the last thing you want is to be stuck with a blade that doesn&#;t work well. The good news is that most suppliers will stand behind their product. Just check whether there are any hidden return fees and how you go about making the return to avoid a headache later on.
Some suppliers may even offer a free sample diamond blade to try out. A salesman may have the ability to do this on their own, but often need approval from a manager or owner. Having an honest, upfront and respectful conversation with the supplier is the best way to receive a free sample. After all, just as you do not want to work for free, suppliers do not want to give things away for free unless they know it will receive a fair evaluation and a good faith opportunity at future business.
Finding the right diamond blade can be simplified by working with a supplier that fully understands the product as well as your needs. A supplier that puts their customers&#; success at the forefront will demonstrate their desire to do what it takes to forge a long lasting partnership.
Every professional tiler has already found himself in the situation of having to cut a new material, perhaps some thick and hard porcelain gres, a delicate glass mosaic or mosaic with mixed materials such as glass and aluminum. The decision to be taken, in most cases, isn&#;t immediate and depends on the tiler&#;s own experience, given by the knowledge of materials and equipments available on the market.
The fundamental aspects to take into consideration when buying a diamond saw blade mainly are:
&#; The type of material to be cut
&#; The level of finishing you would like to achieve
&#; The desired cutting speed
As a supporting tool for those who often find themselves facing such decisions, Montolit offers a guide to choosing the right diamond blade and the best blade for cutting porcelain slabs. It illustrates with detail the best practical applications for each one of the saw blades that compose the wide range of Montolit&#;s professional tools for tilers and building professionals.
The image above shows which Montolit diamond wet saw blades (to be used on an electric tile cutter) one may choose depending on the type of material to be cut and finishing required:
Want more information on diamond blades supplier? Feel free to contact us.
DNA Sector SCX &#; very high durability, fast cuts with good finish. Excellent for cutting thick and hard porcelain tiles, hard ceramics and natural stone such as marble and granite.
CPH &#;XAMURAY&#; &#; long life compared to other similar diamond blades on the market, competitive price. Suitable for cutting thick and hard porcelain tiles, marble, granite.
CPF &#;PERFETTO&#; &#; (very) slow and regular speed that allows you to achieve excellent (perfect) finishing, factory edge cut, without chipping. Ideal for exposed cuts, in visible positions. Cuts perfectly ceramics, porcelain gres, marble, granite. Can also be used to cut glass tiles.
CPV glass blade &#;TOP GLASS&#; &#; it&#;s the best diamond saw blade to cut glass tiles on the market. Lasts longer and cuts faster than other glass saw blades commonly found on the market. Perfect cuts on glass tiles and glass mosaics.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: THE BEST TILE CUTTER FOR CUTTING PORCELAIN TILES
When it comes time to buy diamond blades there are a few things you should take in to account before making your purchase. What are you cutting? What kind of saw are you using? Is the application wet or dry? What is the diameter of blade that you need? These four questions can help you find the perfect blade that will help you get the most of the job you&#;re working on.
This will determine the metallurgical bond of the blade necessary. The bond is a combination of metals used to form the segment, and what controls how fast new diamond is exposed during the cutting process. Use a blade for the specific material you are cutting. Any reputable manufacturer will list what materials you can cut on the package. The wrong bond will lead to blade failure in different ways; too soft of a bond and the blade will wear out too fast. Too hard of a bond and the blade will stop cutting shortly after you start using it.
Different horsepower requires different types of blades. Higher horsepower saws require more diamond than low horsepower saws. Saw RPMs vary by setup for blade size. For example, you can take a 48hp saw that is set up for a 36&#; blade, and install an 18&#; blade guard for smaller requirements. If the pulleys aren&#;t changed, the blade will turn at the recommended speed of a 36&#; which is much too slow for an 18&#;. These factors have to be taken in to account to get the best performance out of your blades.
Knowing if you will have water on the job site is important when selecting any Diamond Blade. Smaller diamond blades are designed to cut dry but can also cut equally well wet. The key to dry cutting is making shallow passes, and letting the blade spin in the air every minute or so to cool it down. Larger diameter (24&#; and above) must be used with water because of the depth of cut. There is no easy way to cool large diameter blades without water.
There are a lot of different things to consider when selecting your Diamond Blade. Many of those variables revolve around what tool you&#;re using. You always want to make sure you&#;re putting the right size blade on the right saw. The RPM of the saw will vary based on the blade diameter it&#;s designed for. Always use the tool (or saw) that&#;s designed for the cutting depth you need, and then choose your diamond blade to suit. See the depth chart below:
If you ask yourself these four questions this will help you pick out the right and best suited blade for you and your job.
A diamond blade is a cutting tool with diamond grains fixed on the edge. It is commonly used in construction and manufacturing industries to cut through hard materials such as concrete, asphalt, and stone.
Choosing the right diamond blade is crucial to ensure efficient and precise cutting. Using the wrong blade can result in poor performance, damage to the blade or the material being cut, and even safety hazards.
Identify the specific material you need to cut. Different diamond blades are designed for different materials. For example, if you're cutting concrete, you'll need a blade specifically designed for concrete cutting.
The blade diameter should be suitable for the equipment you're using. Check the specifications of your saw or cutter to determine the maximum blade diameter it can accommodate. Using a blade with a larger diameter than recommended can lead to accidents and damage to the equipment.
The arbor size of the blade should match the arbor size of your saw or cutter. The arbor is the center hole of the blade that fits onto the equipment's spindle. Using a blade with an incorrect arbor size can result in instability and poor cutting performance.
Consider the specific cutting requirements and select the appropriate blade type. There are different types of diamond blades, such as segmented blades for general-purpose cutting, continuous rim blades for smooth cutting, and turbo blades for faster cutting. Choose the blade type that suits your needs.
Ensure that the diamond blade meets the necessary quality standards and specifications. Look for blades that have undergone rigorous testing and are certified for their performance and safety. Check for features like diamond concentration, bond type, and blade lifespan to ensure optimal cutting results.
By following these 5 steps, you can confidently select the right diamond blade for your cutting needs. Remember to prioritize safety and quality to achieve the best cutting performance.
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