When it comes to choosing the correct product for any application, consumers are spoiled for choice with a greater selection of products than ever before.
Constant new designs, improved materials, advanced features, and benefits stated on labels, allow for easy differentiating between suppliers, but what impact does this have when it comes to the decision of a suitable Diamond blade?
With a multitude of options to be used for cutting applications on tiles, be it glazed for interior floors, or raw tiles for outdoor walkways, the first step to consider, is the desired finish after the application has been completed, with the hardness and composition of the material. Being a popular cutting tool for tiles, Diamond blades are available in Segmented, Continuous and Turbo rims.
Generally, the segmented rim produces a faster cut, with some chipping of the cutting edge due to the design of the segments. The slots allow for greater dust extraction and cooling, thus virtually reducing the need for a liquid coolant. The continuous rim, on the other hand, though providing the slowest cut reduces edge chipping to almost none, providing a smooth, clean cut due to the solid rim.
In certain cases where your application requires both a smooth and fast cut, the turbo rim will be the best choice. This diamond blade design offers a comparable cutting time to the segmented blade, producing a better finish, with the corrugations allowing for effective dust removal and cooling, thus suitable for wet or dry cutting.
The end use or application of the product is also influenced by the design of specific diamond blades. Continuous rim diamond blades typically have a thinner kerf width (the width of the diamond segment) when compared to segmented, which will result in a narrower cut, reducing heat from friction, and resulting in less loss of material. Diamond blade manufacturers also base diamond concentration, quality, and size on the typical usage for each type. Finer diamond grit is normally for harder materials (such as glazed tiles and granite), whereas coarser diamond grit is more suitable for softer materials (such as bricks). Choosing the incorrect type may not only result in chipping of the workpiece, but also reduced efficiency and higher cost per cut.
To ensure premium abrasives perform optimally, the machine being used, and its ‘power outage is to be considered. It is important to note that sufficient power tools still need to operate efficiently whilst under load, and that using an under-powered machine might increase the risk of the abrasives not fully reaching their full potential during an application.
As with any choice of product, the end result is key. Diamond blades are no different in this regard but staying informed of the latest technology and information around the various options within the market allows for a better-informed decision and ultimately a more successful application.
Contact your abrasive supplier should you enquire any additional information.
For more information contact us: 011 271 6400 | [email protected] | www.grindtech.com.