Slow cutting and short blade life are common problems with diamond blades. It is very important to understand that the segment of the blade is designed to wear at a certain rate. That is one of the important factors that makes one blade different to another.
Slow Cutting Speed
Cause: Usually occurs when a blade is used to cut a material that is too hard for the segment. The hard material wears the exposed diamonds, but not the metal portion of the segment. The segment wears too slowly, no new diamonds are exposed and you see slow cutting speeds.
Solution: Cut a soft, abrasive material until diamonds are well exposed. Try asphalt, block, sandstone, or dried mortar. Choose the proper blade for the application.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, heat builds up and the blade begins to bounce leading to segment loss, core cracks and a very unsafe condition
Short Blade Life
Cause: Usually occurs when a blade is used to cut a material that is too soft and abrasive for the segment. The abrasive material wears the metal of the segment too fast, and you see short blade life.
Solution: Specify the correct blade for your application. Check water flow. Make sure the blade is rated for the equipment used. Check saw is in good condition.
Potential: If blade specification is not changed, the problem will reoccur. Customer will not get the full blade life and efficiency of the diamond tool
Core or Segment Cracks
Cause: Blade is too hard for the material. Saw is in need of repair. Blade is mounted improperly. Overheating. Twisting while cutting or attempting to cut curves.
Solution: Specify a softer bonded blade for the material. Check all bearings, belt, shaft, and flanges. Check direction of blade travel. Follow guidelines for proper blade operation and cooling procedures.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, it will result in segment loss and possible core destruction. This is an extremely dangerous situation. Do no continue to use this blade.
Wobbling/Warped Blade
Cause: Blade is out of tension...the steel core is not straight. Wrong size collars or mounted incorrectly. Blade is allowed to overheat (bluish-black marks). Blade run at improper RPM.
Solution: Return blade to factory for repair. Use the correct size blade collars. Check flanges are smooth and tight fitting. Follow guidelines for proper blade operation and cooling procedures. Check RPM rating for blade and saw.
Potential: If the problem is allowed to continue, heat builds up and the blade begins to bounce leading to segment loss, core cracks and a very unsafe condition. Produces poor quality cuts.
Undercutting:
Cause: Steel core is worn faster than segments by abrasive material being cut.
Solution: Specify a blade with a wear-retardant design. Increase water flow to flush cut.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, the core will wear out from under the segment and allow the segments to separate.
Slow Cutting Speed
Cause: Usually occurs when a blade is used to cut a material that is too hard for the segment. The hard material wears the exposed diamonds, but not the metal portion of the segment. The segment wears too slowly, no new diamonds are exposed and you see slow cutting speeds.
Solution: Cut a soft, abrasive material until diamonds are well exposed. Try asphalt, block, sandstone, or dried mortar. Choose the proper blade for the application.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, heat builds up and the blade begins to bounce leading to segment loss, core cracks and a very unsafe condition
Short Blade Life
Cause: Usually occurs when a blade is used to cut a material that is too soft and abrasive for the segment. The abrasive material wears the metal of the segment too fast, and you see short blade life.
Solution: Specify the correct blade for your application. Check water flow. Make sure the blade is rated for the equipment used. Check saw is in good condition.
Potential: If blade specification is not changed, the problem will reoccur. Customer will not get the full blade life and efficiency of the diamond tool
Core or Segment Cracks
Cause: Blade is too hard for the material. Saw is in need of repair. Blade is mounted improperly. Overheating. Twisting while cutting or attempting to cut curves.
Solution: Specify a softer bonded blade for the material. Check all bearings, belt, shaft, and flanges. Check direction of blade travel. Follow guidelines for proper blade operation and cooling procedures.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, it will result in segment loss and possible core destruction. This is an extremely dangerous situation. Do no continue to use this blade.
Wobbling/Warped Blade
Cause: Blade is out of tension...the steel core is not straight. Wrong size collars or mounted incorrectly. Blade is allowed to overheat (bluish-black marks). Blade run at improper RPM.
Solution: Return blade to factory for repair. Use the correct size blade collars. Check flanges are smooth and tight fitting. Follow guidelines for proper blade operation and cooling procedures. Check RPM rating for blade and saw.
Potential: If the problem is allowed to continue, heat builds up and the blade begins to bounce leading to segment loss, core cracks and a very unsafe condition. Produces poor quality cuts.
Undercutting:
Cause: Steel core is worn faster than segments by abrasive material being cut.
Solution: Specify a blade with a wear-retardant design. Increase water flow to flush cut.
Potential: If this problem is allowed to continue, the core will wear out from under the segment and allow the segments to separate.
