Just because diamond blades contain the toughest material known to man, that doesn’t mean they should be treated in an offhand manner. These are precision-imbued tools. Although larger than a surgeon’s scalpel, they can’t perform accurately unless they receive plenty of care. To this end, here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts, which will prevent their diamond-sintered forms from being callously mistreated.
Don’t Apply Excess Cutting Force
The site foreman might be staring at his watch while shaking his head, but don’t let that pressure affect the job. Don’t rush the work by pressing the tool handle down. Remember, diamond blades don’t actually cut, they abrade.
Don’t Rush the Work
Just like the excess force problem, rush jobs don’t yield good results. Even if they do, imagine the damage. The tool motor becomes overloaded, the blade accumulates premature wear, and the blade bonding becomes so hot that the diamonds end up covered in a job-slowing glaze.
Do Use a Right Blade for The Job Attitude
General-purpose discs are available, but reliance on a generic tool type will inevitably slow the work. If the material to be cut is concrete, use a blade that’s expressly designed to cut concrete. It’s the same for any other material, so pick a diamond cutting tool that suits the job.
Do Check the Tool
It is okay to focus on the diamond blade, for the operator needs to select the right cutting medium. All the same, some attention must be reserved for a tool check. Mount the abrasive disc on a correctly sized blade shaft, and make sure that fit is secure.
Don’t Ignore “Wet” Settings
If using a wet disc, it can’t be operated in dry conditions. The cooling water should run down both sides of the blade if it’s to enjoy a long, fully functional life. Incidentally, safety guards are mandatory, so make sure the water supply makes its way to the cutting edges when the safety guard is in place.
Don’t Skip Tooling Pre-Checks
Visually inspect the diamond blade. Is it cracked or damaged in some other way? Then, with tool still disconnected from its power source, check the mountings and flange edges. There shouldn’t be any blockage around the flanges, and the mounting nut must be fully secured.
A diamond blade Do’s and Don’ts list flips over to cover several more pages. Basically, though, the right tool for the right job approach is best. Use the blade as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions, and mount that blade so that it fits securely and leaves room around the tool flanges. In conclusion, look after the blade, the tool mountings, plus its safety provisions, while using the gear as instructed.
