Whether you use Devour Tools diamond blades or blades from another manufacturer, there is little point in wearing them out prematurely. Tile blades, masonry blades, and even metal cutting blades will last longer if you take care of them properly. Doing so isn’t a bad idea when you consider how much a quality blade costs.
Taking care of your diamond blades begins with using the right blade for the job. There is also a certain amount of technique involved, including learning how to use saw and blade together in such a way as to let the blade do the work for you. It is a skill that takes time to learn.
Here are five additional tips for extending the life of your diamond blades:
1. Match the Matrix
We say all the time that you need the right blade for the job. One of the things to pay attention to is a blade’s bonding matrix. What does this mean? The easiest way to understand it is to think of soft and hard bonds. Some bonding processes result in a very hard bond while others are softer.
As strange as it sounds, you ideally want a softer bond for hard materials and a hard bond for soft materials. Match the bonding matrix to the job you are doing, and you put less stress on the blade’s diamonds and bonds.
2. Match the Equipment
Next, match your blade to the saw. If you have a high horsepower saw, you’re better off using a high-performance blade that can withstand the higher RPMs and stress. Likewise, a standard blade performs best with low horsepower equipment. A lower horsepower saw doesn’t put as much stress on the blade.
What happens if you mismatch blade and equipment? One of the worst consequences is a warped blade. But in addition, you can wear down the diamonds much faster.
3. Sharpen Your Blades When Necessary
Next up, you can extend the life of your diamond blades by sharpening them when necessary. To be clear, we use the word ‘sharpen’ for lack of a better choice. But you are not actually sharpening the diamonds, you’re removing bonding metal residue that accumulates on the diamonds over time.
For this job, you will need something known as a dressing stone. Dressing stones are made specifically for this purpose. Get yourself a good stone and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. You’ll have a sharper blade in no time.
4. Clean Your Blades
Before you begin a new cutting job, clean the blade. You don’t need a special cleaner and a rag. Instead, you just need a hard piece of scrap material. Concrete works well. All you need to do to clean your blade is cut the scrap concrete for 10 to 15 seconds. Friction will remove all the grime and dirt left behind by the last job.
5. Prefer Wet Cutting over Dry
Finally, wet cutting is always best for diamond blades in terms of longevity. Wet cutting is designed to keep the blade cooler and to lubricate during cutting. Both reduce friction so that the diamonds do not wear away as quickly.
If you are forced to dry cut, it doesn’t hurt to cool your blade with a little bit of water after you’re done cutting. But for longevity’s sake, limit dry cutting to something you do only when necessary. Always choose wet cutting if you have the opportunity. With that said, Devour blades can be run dry with little to no problem. In fact, Devour blades are purposely designed to handle both wet and dry cutting.
Diamond blades are tough and resilient. However, they don’t last forever. Utilize the five tips in this post and you will extend the life of your blades substantially.
