Educational Section

Table of Contents

Diamond Blade Basics
Diamond Tools & Technology
Factors that Affect Cutting Performance
Diamonds - Key to Successful Cutting
Cutting Depth Chart
Operating Speed Chart
Do's and Dont's

Do's and Dont's

Do’s and Don’t’s

Wet Cutting Do's:

• Do follow manufacturer's recommended blade specifications for material to be cut.

• Do inspect the diamond blade for damage that may have occurred during shipment or damage due to previous use.

• Do check mounting flanges for equal diameter, excess wear and flatness. Mounting flanges must have adequate relief around arbor hole.

• Do be sure that the diamond saw blade is mounted on a correct diameter blade shaft between proper blade flanges and is securely hand-tightened with a wrench.

• Do check the saw for proper operating conditions:

1. All fluids are at proper levels.

2. Blade shaft bearings should be free of end and radial play.

3. V-belts should be properly tensioned and pulleys checked
   for excessive wear.

4. Lead-off adjustment is set correctly, to allow the blade to
   travel straight.

5. Do operate with blade guard in place and properly secured.

Do be sure there is a continuous water flow to each side of the blade. Gravity feed does not supply sufficient water flow. The water pumps on concrete saws are "booster" pumps only and are not adequate as a primary pressure source. An adequate water supply is required for wet cutting blades to maintain blade life and cutting efficiency.

• DO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED PULLEY SIZES AND OPERATING SPEEDS. FOR SPECIFIC BLADE DIAMETERS, REFER TO MANUFACTURER'S OPERATING MANUAL.

• Do operate saw with proper safety attire, i.e., safety glasses, safety helmet, safety shoes, hearing protection.

• Do examine blade periodically for cracks in the steel center or segments and for excessive wear under the segments.

Wet Cutting Don'ts:

• Don't use a diamond saw blade without checking manufacturer's
  recommendations for the material to be cut. Improper selection can cause
  excessive blade wear and possible damage to the diamond saw blade and/or
  machine and create an unsafe operating condition.

• Don't use a new diamond saw blade, or remount a used blade, which has a
  core that is not flat or is cracked. This indicates segment damage or loss or a
  damaged arbor hole.

• Don't use mounting flanges that are not clean and flat.

• Don't force blade onto machine blade shaft or mount blade on undersized
  blade shaft. Either condition can result in unsafe operating conditions and
  excessive blade wear.

1. Don't mount blade on machine that does not meet the minimum
   requirements set forth in the manufacturer's machine operating manual.

2. Misalignment of the blade results in loss of blade side
   clearance and proper blade tension.

3. Loose or worn blade shaft bearings cause short diamond
   blade life and may cause segment loss.

4. Use of worn pulleys or improper feed belt tension causes
   loss of proper operating speed and reduced blade
   efficiency.

5. Restricted coolant flow causes excessive heat, poor blade
   performance, and possible segment loss.

• Don't cut dry with blades recommended for wet cutting.

• Don't use blotters with diamond saw blades.

• Don't operate machine with a damaged or open blade guard.

• Don't exceed maximum safe operating speed.

• Don't operate machine without blade guard in place and properly secured.

• Don't operate machine before reading operating instructions provided by
  machine manufacturer.

• Don't operate machine with blade diameter larger than the machine's
  capacity.

• Don't allow bystanders in the work area.

• Don't stand in direct line with diamond or abrasive blades during start up or
  operation.

• Don't increase saw travel to a rate that will reduce the blade's operating
  speed.

Dry Cutting Do's:

• Do follow manufacturer's recommendation regarding specifications for material to be
  cut and suitability for dry cutting applications.

• Do inspect the diamond saw blade for damage that may have occurred during
  shipment or damage due to previous use.

• Do inspect the diamond blade periodically during use for core flatness, fatigue cracks,
  segment damage, undercutting and arbor hole wear.

• Do check the mounting flanges to be sure that they are of equal and correct diameter,
  that they do not show excessive wear and that they are flat.

• Do be sure that the diamond blade is mounted on a correct diameter blade shaft
  between proper blade flanges and is securely hand tightened with the wrench
  provided or an adjustable wrench no longer than 8".

• Do check for proper saw machine condition. Spindle bearing should be free of end
  and radial play. Consult the operating manual from the saw manufacturer for proper
  machine maintenance conditions.

• Do follow the manufacturer's recommendation for operating speeds for specific blade
  diameters.

• Do maintain a firm grip on hand held saws during cutting operation.

• Do wear proper safety equipment. Always wear safety glasses, safety footwear, snug
  fitting clothing, hearing and head protection and respiratory equipment where
  required.

Dry Cutting Don'ts:

• Don't cut dry except with a blade specifically designated for dry cutting by the
  manufacturer.

• Don't force blade onto machine blade shaft, alter the size of the mounting hole, or
  tighten mounting nut excessively. Use of bushing to reduce the arbor hole size is not
  recommended for diamond blades used on high-speed saws.

• Don't exceed the maximum operating speed established for the diamond blade.

• Don't operate a saw without proper safety guards in place. NEVER OPERATE ANY
  SAW, WET OR DRY, WITHOUT A BLADE GUARD!

• Don't stand in direct line with diamond or abrasive blades during start up or
  operation.

• Don't cut or grind with the sides of a diamond blade.

• Don't force the blade into the material; allow the blade to cut at its own speed.
  Forcing the blade may cause overheating and blade damage.

• Don't make long continuous cuts with dry diamond blades. Allow the blade to cool by
  turning in air every few minutes. The harder the material being cut, the more often the
  blade should be allowed to cool.

• Don't use the blade to cut material other than that recommended by the manufacturer
  for that specific blade type.

• Don't use the blade on a type of saw other than that specified by the manufacturer.

• Don't allow the blade to deflect in the cut.

• Don't attempt to cut a curve or a radius.