What Size Diamond Blade Should I Choose?
Size of the blade will also have an impact on what your cutting and the project your working on.
You're not going to walk into the kitchen to cut some tile with a 30″ diamond blade and a massive cut off saw. You'll probably use a much smaller, electric saw with a more applicable 4″ blade.
Keep this in mind next time you begin a home renovation project.
The size you choose will depend on the sizing that fits your saw.
In order to find this out, read the saws manufacturers manual or product packaging and find out the diameter of the blade it takes.
How Long Do Diamond Blades Last?
It depends.
The material you're cutting and the usage will be the greatest determinants of your blades life expectancy.
That being said, it's generally known that a diamond blade can be used about 100 times longer than other abrasive type blades.
The quality of the blade will also play a factor:
Low Quality Blades Will Last for Around 10 Hours of Total Cutting Time
Higher Quality Blades Have a Lifespan of up to 120 Hours or Even More of Cutting Time
Remember, buying cheap is often more expensive in the long run.
Diamond Blade And Saw Safety Tips
Any blade and saw is dangerous.
Saws spin at a couple thousand Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Combine that with the fact the blade is made of the hardest material on earth and you have a pretty serious cutting machine.
There's no way you want your hand or any other body part anywhere near that blade…
Here are a few tips to keep you safe out there:
Cutting with a circular saw, road saw, or anything with a high speed blade will cause debris to go flying everywhere.
That means you need to wear gear the protects you, especially your face:
Safety Goggles
Helmet (With Face Shield)
Gloves
Long Clothing
Respiratory Equipment
Steel Toe Boots
Just like a car needs specific gas, saws and blades have their own instructions that need to be followed.
Always check the manufacturers manual as well as the product packaging for the proper safety and handling of the product.
Whenever operating saws, it's a bad idea to force the saw. Avoid pushing it too hard.
Even diamond blades have their limits and will crack, chip, and break
Simply put, do not cut with the blade at such an angle that the sides of the saw does any of cutting.
The blades are only designed to cut at the edges of the saw and not the flat sides.
Saws get really hot, really fast.
There's a lot of power, friction, and force that go into grinding away the likes of concrete, brick, and asphalt.
If your saw doesn't use water for cool down, you should take a break time.
The harder the material you're cutting, the more cool down time you'll need.
Like stated above, many blades are only designed to cut certain materials.
Don't cut materials you're not supposed to!
Reading the manufacturers manual and following the recommendations is a must.
These instructions are designed to prevent the diamond blade from wearing down or ripping through material.
Before operating any saw with a diamond blade, it's a good idea to make sure nothing is already damaged.
Check both sides and the edges of the blade to ensure it's ready to go.
