How to choose the best diamond blade

Every professional tiler will need to cut materials, and whether they are cutting ceramic tiles, hard porcelain or delicate mosaic, it is important to use the right tools and equipment. This includes choosing the best diamond blade for the cut, with factors such as the material, the finish and the cutting speed all impacting the tiler’s decision. However, with so many options available in many cases tilers will reach for an ‘all-purpose’ blade, rather than a blade which is the best choice for their project.

It is always worth taking the time to consider which is the best diamond blade for job, as you will benefit from a better finish, a longer blade life, more efficient cutting and a better experience overall. In this useful guide, we take you through how to choose the best diamond blade when cutting tiles.

What is a diamond blade?

This type of blade incorporates a thin layer of diamonds around the outer edge, which are designed to cut through hard or abrasive materials. In comparison to traditional saw blades, diamond blades offer precise cutting without common issues such as chipping. Not only will the actual cuts benefit from using a diamond blade, but you will also benefit from increased longevity, as the blades have an extremely high resistance to wear, in comparison to the short life of traditional saw blades.

There are two main types of diamond blades to choose from, segmented blades and continuous diamond blades. The segmented blades have segments with slots between them around the edge of the blade, which are designed to improve stability and reduce temperature whilst cutting. Whereas, continuous blades have a full layer of diamonds around the rim of the blade. which make them ideal for cutting through ceramic and porcelain tiles.

The basic points to consider when choosing a diamond blade

The saw or tile cutter

The first thing you need to consider is what tile cutting equipment you will be using, as the blade will need to fit and work perfectly with the RPM and horsepower of the machine. It is worth noting that blades which will be used for cutting through hard materials and porcelain tiles, should not exceed a cutting speed of 30-39m/s, otherwise you will be at risk of damage. Whereas, if you are cutting through softer materials such as limestone or wood, it is possible to use blades designed for speeds upwards of 40m/s.

The tile thickness

If you have a specific project in mind, consider the thickness of the tiles which you will need to be cutting through. In general, the larger the material you need to cut, the larger the blade will need to be. The size of diamond blades vary significantly, with blades available with a diameter of just 40mm right through to 900mm.

Wet or dry cutting

Wet cutting will be better for your blade, but if you no need to dry cut, it is important that you choose a blade designed for this. In comparison to wet blades, the dry cutting blades will have slats cut into the edge. If you are dry cutting, we recommend making shallow passes and allowing the blade to spin in the air at regular intervals, so that it can call down.

The material to be cut

The hardness and abrasiveness of the tiles will determine how strong the bond between the diamonds and the metal blade needs to be. If you are cutting a very hard tile, you will need a soft bond so that the diamonds do not dull during cutting. Whereas, for a more abrasive, softer material, you will need a hard bond which will prevent the material from wearing through the blade quickly. The majority of materials will be classified as medium to hard, soft, medium to soft and hard.

The price

If you are looking for a blade which will withstand heavy use across multiple jobs, it may be worth investing in one of the more expensive diamond blades. However, for occasional use or a small tiling job, there are plenty of budget friendly blades available which will be up to the job.

What diamond blades do you recommend?

The following are some great examples of diamond blades, all of which are stocked by us:

1) Dart Red Ten RT-10 Smooth Cut Diamond Ceramic Blade – A smooth and effective ceramic tile blade, with a continuous diamond rim designed to ensure a smooth cut. Suitable for all tiles including ceramic, porcelain and marble.

2) Dart Red Ten ST-10 Super Thin Diamond Tile Blade – This pro-performance super thin porcelain tile blade is designed for the quick cutting of ceramic, porcelain and marble, and includes a segment height of 10mm.

3) Montolit CGX Blade – This versatile diamond blade is suitable for both wet and dry use, and is designed for cutting porcelain stoneware and hard ceramic.

4) Montolit STL Diamond Grinding Wheel – This is an innovative disc which offers multi-purpose finishing of tiles, as it can be used for bevelling, making small cuts, grinding, rounding and shaping edges. Ideal for both wet and dry use, the disc will fit any standard grinder and it is suitable for porcelain, stoneware, ceramic and marble.

5) Montolit Turmont Continuous Rim Blade – This continuous diamond blade is suitable for both wet and dry use, and it can be used for cutting porcelain stoneware, marble and ceramic. As a versatile blade, it can be used with an angle grinder, a wet tile cutter and a table saw machine.

6) TIGR TTE115 Blade – This ultra-thin diamond blade is designed specifically for dry cutting through porcelain, thin marble and granite.

As a team of tiling professionals and wholesale suppliers of tiling equipment, we are more than happy to recommend the ideal diamond blade for your project. Whether you are looking to cut through porcelain tiles, marble or other materials, we have a wide range of diamond blades available for stockists throughout the UK and Ireland. To find out more about stocking our blades or to find your nearest stockist, please contact our team today.

If you work with a variety of construction materials on a daily basis, you need to add a diamond blade to your toolbox. If you’re not already familiar with diamond blades, these saw blades are extremely useful for cutting various types of materials. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about diamond blades and why these tools would make a great addition to your lineup.

What Is a Diamond Blade?

A diamond blade is a specific type of saw blade used in various fields, from construction to independent contracting. Diamond blades get their name from the tiny diamond particles affixed to the outside edge of the blade. These particles help diamond blades cut through tough materials that traditional blades cannot.

Parts of a Diamond Blade

A diamond blade is made up of several components. Here is a breakdown of the various parts that come together to form this abrasive blade.

Diamond Crystals

The diamond crystals that manufacturers attach to these blades are typically synthetic and come in a wide range of sizes, shapes, and types. These diamond varieties influence the type of cut and performance of the blade.

Diamond Edge and Metal Bond

A metal bond adheres the diamond crystals to the edge of the blade. This bond is formed by a mixture of different metals. During the grinding process, this bond slowly exposes the diamond particles to result in a clean cut. The harder the metal bond, the smaller the diamond erosion, and vice versa. Softer metal bonds are ideal for cutting harder materials because of the stronger diamond erosion. Meanwhile, harder bonds are ideal for cutting softer materials due to the less aggressive diamond erosion.

Steel Core

The steel core of the diamond blade is perfectly centered to allow the blade to turn. The steel core helps reduce stress on the blade through the tensioning process during manufacturing.

How Diamond Blades Work

Diamond blades don’t actually “cut” through working materials. Instead, these blades use friction to grind down hard materials and create a clean edge. The friction is created between the diamond fragments and bonding material that meets the cutting material. One thing to keep in mind while selecting and using diamond blades is the hardness of your working material. A softer bonding substance is ideal for cutting harder stones and surfaces. The softer bonding wears away to expose more diamond fragments. On the other hand, you should select a diamond blade with a harder bond when cutting softer materials. These diamonds will be exposed and intact longer than a harder cutting material.

Wet Cutting vs. Dry Cutting

Diamond blades are useful for both wet and dry cutting techniques, which are two specific cutting styles. Dry cutting is the traditional way of cutting with a diamond blade, using the friction of the abrasive diamond materials to grind away at the surface of your working material. On the other hand, wet cutting helps reduce and displace some of the heat and friction from traditional dry cutting. Wet cutting involves spraying a stream of water or another coolant along the blade to decrease its temperature. Wet cutting has several advantages, such as preventing chips and other damage to the blade and reducing the number of particles produced by the cutting process.

Materials That Diamond Blades Can Cut

Diamond saw blades specialize in cutting hard stone materials and masonry that most traditional blades can’t handle. Depending on the blade, abrasive diamond blades can cut through concrete, masonry, tile, and even some metals such as steel and iron. These saw blades also have multi-purpose applications for cutting softer materials like plastic, wood, and glass. If your blades have the right bonding materials, you can cut through a whole variety of objects. Each blade’s application will depend on the manufacturer and construction, so always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for working materials.

Maintenance Tips for Diamond Blades

Diamond blade maintenance involves regular inspections and repairs that you would schedule for many other tools. Always inspect your saw blades between uses to check for any chips, hairline fractures, or other damage to the tool. If you notice small cracks that stem from the blade’s core, you could be using the incorrect bond with your working material. For harder materials, switch to a softer bonded blade. When wet cutting, be sure to use an adequate amount of coolant to keep the blade from overheating because it can lead to cracks, chips, and other damage to the blade. Additionally, proper ventilation and airflow are important when dry cutting to prevent overheating and dust buildup.

Advantages of Using Diamond Blades

There are many advantages of using diamond blades as a contractor or manufacturer. This type of blade leaves a clean cut that other types of stone and steel-cutting blades can’t deliver. Diamond blades prevent burring, which is the rough edge created during metal-cutting processes. You can use diamond blades for both dry and wet cutting processes with various materials, which adds versatility to your workshop. Diamond blades are ideal for contractors, construction workers, metalworkers, and many other industrial fields working with assorted materials.

How To Choose a Diamond Blade

When choosing a diamond blade for your business, consider a few different factors. Consider which materials you’re currently working with and their hardness. This will help you decide whether you need a blade with a softer or harder diamond bonding material. Here at Pro Blades Outlet, we offer a wide selection of diamond blades specially designed for different cutting materials. You’ll know exactly which blades to choose for your project, and if you have any remaining questions, feel free to contact us to learn more!

We hope this guide on everything you need to know about diamond blades has helped you understand more about these blades. If you’re ready to add one of these blades to your toolbox, you can find a variety of sizes, styles, and types of diamond blades here at Pro Blades Outlet. Find a diamond blade made for cutting whatever material you’re working with today.

Diamond blades contain industrial-grade diamond embedded in segments or rims on their cutting edge. As the blade is used, the abrasive qualities of the material being cut (such as concrete) wears down the segment. Diamond crystals either get crushed or let loose as the metal matrix gets worn away, exposing new diamonds to continue the cutting.

The abrasive quality of the material being cut is a large factor in choosing the correct blade for a job. Harder, less abrasive materials such as cured concrete require a blade with a softer metal mix to ensure adequate erosion of the segment brings new diamond to the surface at an optimum rate.

Soft, abrasive materials such as green concrete and asphalt tend to wear down segments faster. Therefore, segments with a harder, more wear-resistant metal mix in the segment, provide longer blade life and overall better performance.

Abrasive materials tend to erode the metal core, or center, of diamond blades causing undercutting. Undercutting tends to be concentrated on part of the core that attaches to the segment. If undercutting is excessive, it can cause segment loss and damage the blade. Diamond Vantage offers 3 types of undercut protection which reduce abrasive slurry accumulation beneath the segments to provide extended blade life.

Segments come in different heights. The total segment height is not as important as the diamond depth – the portion of the segment that contains diamonds. The diamond depth combined with diamond concentration and quality determines the overall performance value of the blade.

The accompanying chart shows the effect different variables have on a diamond blade cutting speed and blade life.

What to Consider When Choosing a Diamond Blade:

•  What is the material?
•  Brick?
•  Block?
•  Combination of Brick and Block?
•  Green Concrete?
•  Cured Concrete?
•  Asphalt?
•  What is the cutting method? Wet or Dry?
•  What kind of equipment is being used?
•  High speed hand held saw?
•  Masonry table type saw?
•  Walk behind saw? (low or high H.P.)
•  Hand held power tool?
•  How deep is the cut?
•  Use proper blade diameter for depth required.(remember, a 5" cut requires a 14" blade.)
•  How big is the job?
•  Higher quality blades are more economical to use.