Why won’t my block or asphalt blade cut hard brick or concrete?

Block and asphalt are very abrasive. A blade designed for these materials must have an extremely hard bond. A blade for brick or hard concrete must have a much softer bond in order for the blade to wear properly in a material with higher P.S.I. and less abrasiveness. A blade which is too hard will not wear properly. It will not expose any new diamond, and it will stop cutting.

Why shouldn’t I use my brick or concrete blade to cut block or asphalt?

Brick and hard concrete are hard to cut and low in abrasiveness. A blade designed for these materials must have a softer bond. When a softer bonded blade is used on a highly abrasive material, this is very destructive to the soft metals in the blade. The result is premature release of exposed diamond and an early death to your diamond blade.

What makes a blade stop cutting?

The most common reason for a blade not cutting is usually a misapplication. A loss of cutting speed is most often encountered on harder materials which have little or no abrasiveness. A hard bonded blade used on a hard material will not wear properly. It cannot wear away at a fast enough rate to keep diamond exposed and keep cutting the hard material.

What is the difference between a wet blade and a dry blade?

The main difference is the way the diamond matrix is attached to the core. Wet blades are brazed, while dry blades are generally laser welded. Laser welding has a higher melting point. Besides the weld, another difference is the bond. Dry blades usually have a slightly softer bond to allow easier cutting without water to cool and lubricate the cut.


Dry Blade Definitions

Dry Blade

Any blade that could be used wet or dry, but does not need water to do be run. It's usually ran on high speed saw table saws, handhelds, low horsepower walk behind, etc.


High speed dry blade:

A high speed dry blade is any blade that runs on a 5200 RPM handheld saw 


High Speed Specialty Dry Blade: 

Any blade that cuts different material other than just concrete. This includes any masonry blade, or stone blade, that you'd run on a high speed saw.

 

Turbo Dry Blade: 

A blade with turbo segments, that runs on a high speed saw. The turbo segments cut through the material faster. Standard segmented blades typically have a longer life, but cut slower.

 

Early Entry Dry Blade: 

Usually used on Green Concrete for joint widening, but can be used in a dry situation too (usually it's the same day). We also carry a Day-After Blade that could be used on just cured Green Concrete.

 

Low Horsepower Walk Behind Dry Blade: 

It could be anywhere from a 14” to a 20” blade that runs on a low horsepower saw. A High Speed Dry Blade would work up to 20 horsepower, depending on the blade. Usually 18hp is safest, but you could use any double laser welded blade made for the right aggregate (See our aggregate map here).


Metal Specialty Dry Blade: 

A vacuum brazed diamond blade that outlasts abrasives. They don't shrink. They're made with a steel core, and they have vacuum brazed diamonds on the core, there's no segments, and they're just made to be a lot safer, and last a lot longer than standard abrasive fiber discs.


Rescue Dry Blade: 

The rescue blade is a .250 thick blade that is commonly used for the Jaws of Life. People have used it to cut out tree roots. It has tungsten segments on it that are made for Demo, to cut through metal, or whatever comes into your path.


Abrasive Dry Blade: 

Triple-Reinforced Fiber Blade that's used for cutting metal. They're disposable, and customers usually buy them in packs of 10, and larger companies may buy 100’s at a time. It just depends on the preference of the contractor. They are typically used as a regular, general purpose metal blade. Our customers have used them on a variety of applications including stainless steel, welding situations, guardrail, or any other kind of metal cutting when they don't want to use a vacuum brazed diamond blade.


Cup Wheels (Grinders): 

Depending on the style of the cup, they'll go from aggressive to whatever kind of finish the contractor is looking for. These wheels are used to grind down high spots in the concrete, or for removal of material (taking off epoxy, etc.) to expose the aggregate. They are available in single row, double row, turbo, arrow cup, etc., and the different styles do different kinds of things. A lot of times with a cup wheel, you won't get a polished finish, but you'll get a finer finish. So if you use a single row cup wheel, it will leave horseshoe marks, but if you’re just trying to expose the aggregate, and don't really care how it looks, the single row will get the job done fast, and eliminate the high spots in the concrete, and leave it level. If you need something that looks a little bit nicer, but still need the concrete to be level, like a garage floor or basement floor, then maybe go with a turbo cup wheel.


Small Diameter Dry Blade: 

Small diameter is anywhere from 4” to 9”, because you could fit a those on a handheld grinder without taking the guard off. Depending on the size of the grinder, you can cut a variety of materials… masonry material, stone, concrete, etc…




Wet Blade Definitions

Wet Blade:  

Wet blades are designed for a specific aggregate and operated with water as a blade coolant. They are most commonly used on walk behind saws ranging from 22hp to 110hp with blade diameters from 14 inches, all the way up to 48 inches. These saws have water tubes that spray water evenly onto the blade, and down into the cut. Water is vital in keeping the blade cool and preventing loss of tension, core cracks, and segment loss, which can result in damage or more serious safety issues. The water also helps suppress and control unwanted silicon dust, in addition to removing cuttings from the bottom of the cut. 


Cured Concrete Wet Blade:

Pro series cured wet blades are designed for cutting cured concrete, reinforced concrete, and hard rock. Pro series concrete blades are manufactured using the highest quality synthetic diamonds & powders to help provide faster cutting, longer blade life, and dissipate heat caused by friction. All concrete blades are not the same; in fact there are many factors that go into manufacturing the best blade possible for the right cutting applications. Many questions have to be answered in providing the absolute best product possible, such as knowing what’s the horsepower of the saw, is the saw diesel or electric, what’s the aggregate composition, how old is the concrete, how much rebar (reinforced steel) is in the concrete, and what state or city will they be used? All of these factors are critical information to take into account before choosing a pro series blade. Pro series cured concrete blades are most commonly used with walk behind diesel saws that range from 35hp to 110hp. The blade size will range from 14 inches all the way up to 60 inches in diameter.


Overlay Wet Blade:

Pro series overlay wet blades are designed for cutting asphalt over concrete, also known in the industry as “Overlay”. Pro series overlay blades are manufactured using the highest quality synthetic diamonds & powders to help provide faster cutting, longer blade life, and help dissipate heat caused by friction. All overlay blades are not the same; in fact there are many factors that go into manufacturing the best blade possible for the right cutting applications. Many questions have to be answered in providing the absolute best product possible such as knowing what’s the horsepower of the saw, is the saw diesel or electric, what’s the aggregate composition, how old is the concrete, how much rebar is in the concrete, how much asphalt is on top of the concrete, and what state or city will they be used? All of these factors are critical information to take into account before choosing a pro series blade. Pro series overlay blades are most commonly used with walk behind diesel saws that range from 35hp to 110hp. The blade size will range from 20 inches all the way up to 36 inches in diameter.


Asphalt Wet Blade:

Pro series asphalt wet blades are designed for cutting straight asphalt. Pro series asphalt blades are manufactured using the highest quality synthetic diamonds & powders to help provide faster cutting, longer blade life, and help dissipate heat caused by friction. Important information will be required in providing the absolute best product possible such as knowing what’s the horsepower of the saw, whether there’s concrete beneath the asphalt, and if so, how thick is the concrete? Pro series asphalt blades are most commonly used with walk behind diesel saws that range from 35hp to 74hp. The blade size will range from 14 inches all the way up to 36 inches in diameter.


Green Concrete Wet Blade:

Pro series green concrete wet blades are designed for cutting concrete that has been poured within a 24-36 hour period. Green concrete may consist of many different types of aggregates such as flint, quartz, granite, basalt, river gravel and limestone. Pro series green concrete blades are manufactured using the highest quality synthetic diamonds & powders to help provide faster cutting, longer blade life, spalling, and help dissipate heat caused by friction. Important information will be required in providing the absolute best product possible like knowing what’s the horsepower of the saw, aggregate, and how soon are they’re cutting after the concrete is poured. Pro series green blades are most commonly used with walk behind diesel saws that range from 35hp to 74hp. The blade sizes will range from 14 inches, and up to 18 inches in diameter.


Hydraulic Hand saw and Wall Saw Blade:

Pro series hydraulic blades are designed for flush cutting walls and floors vertically and horizontally. Hand saw blades are available in 20” & 24” diameters and are offered in several thicknesses such as .125” (1/8), .250” (1/4”). They’re an excellent alternative for cutting tight 90 degree corners, and curb cutting. They’re most commonly used with hydraulic hand saws that operate between 5-8 GPM (gallons per minute). Hydraulic hand saws will have an arbor size of 1” and a flange with 6 flush faced bolt holes that allow flush cutting possible. Hydraulic hand saws can also be converted with an upright handle to take the stress off the operator’s knees and back when cutting floors, sidewalks, and/or other ground level work. Pro series wall saw blades are most commonly used with hydraulic, and high cycle equipment for larger projects such as window openings, doorways, and walls. The blade sizes range from 24” to 48” in diameter, and offered in several thicknesses .187”, .220” and .250”. Wall saw blades are used with track systems that are fixed to the wall, and allow the operator to operate the saw remotely and safely. Wall saw blades with this combination of equipment are predominately used by professional saw cutters.


Ring Saw Blades:

 Ring saw blades are an excellent cutting alternative when it comes to sawing through block and concrete walls. They are unique in design, lightweight, and offered in several sizes including 14”, 16”, & 20” diameter. They’re used with lightweight handheld saws that are available in several variants such as electric, gas, and hydraulic for larger workloads. Ring saw blades must be operated with water regardless of the saw model that is used. Ring saw blades carry many advantages over traditional diamond blades such as eliminating over cuts on corners, 2-3 times faster cutting speed, the ability to cut 16” deep, and reducing fatigue on the operator. One of the drawbacks when purchasing a ring saw is the costs. Ring saw blades coupled with the saw can costs up to 2-3 times more than standard saw packages depending on which model you choose. 


Bevel Blade: 

Bevel wet blades are used in pairs with each blade having a 45 degree angle giving the user a 90 degree joint bevel in the cut. They’re available in two sizes, 8” & 12” diameter, with an optional thickness of .250”, .375” and .500”. The overall thickness when the blades are paired together will be 1/2”, 3/4” and 1”.   Bevel blades are typically used in concrete applications and require water as a blade coolant. Bevel blades are commonly used with spacers, and will be supplied upon the customer’s request.


Looping Blade:

Loop blades are specifically designed for cutting wide joints for laying electric wire to activate traffic signals. They’re available in two different bonds in either asphalt or concrete, and must be operated with water. They’re available in sizes from 12”, 14”, and 18”. They also vary in thickness from .250”, .310”, .375”and .500”.  


Refractory Blade:

Refractory blades are specifically designed for the cutting of industrial firebrick and available in several different bonds and sizes. The most common sizes are 14”, 18” and 20”. They are also offered with silent core technology to help reduce noise, improving work conditions, and meeting OSHA noise regulations. They’re also used in other applications such as construction of rotary kilns, chimneys, industrial furnaces, and flu linings. Refractory blades are most frequently used with Wet cutting table saws.


Diamond Beaded Wire:

Diamond wire is used in a wide variety of industrial applications including offshore sawing, bridges, concrete walls, stone, jetties, columns, pipes and larger projects that are too big for conventional diamond tools. One of the many advantages with diamond wire is that it can be assembled on the jobsite with a crimping tool for the specific size needed. This is important because the wire is operated with a pulley system, and will vary in size from one project to another. These pulley systems are offered in an array of options like high-cycle, hydraulic, hydro stress and electric, with an optional water spray for cooling. The pulley systems can be operated remotely from a distance with a control unit and cables. Diamond wire is offered in several thicknesses from 8mm to 13mm and manufactured either in sintered, vacuum brazed, and electroplated diamond matrix. Diamond wire is manufactured in three bead shapes: cylindrical, conical, and bi-conical. Cylindrical wire is typically 10.2mm in diameter and is commonly used in pipe cutting. Cylindrical wire is also available in electroplated, vacuum brazed, and will cut and operate bi-directionally. Bi-conical wire is typically 10.2mm in diameter and most commonly used in electroplated form. Bi-conical will operate bi-directionally and is used in pipe cutting applications as well. Conical wire has a limited use and is only available in electroplated bead, and must be used in one direction sawing unlike Bi-conical and Cylindrical which can operate bi-directionally. Most common aggregate for electroplated wire are stone and concrete. Most common aggregate for vacuum brazed wire are stone, concrete and steel. Most common aggregate for Sintered wire are reinforced concrete and stone. 


Concrete Polishing Pad:

Concrete polishing diamond tools are commonly used to transform old, worn concrete surfaces into attractive floors. Concrete polishing is a multi-step process that allows you to choose the level of sheen from satin, high-gloss and other finishes to meet your maintenance and other aesthetic requirements. Concrete polished floors are quickly becoming an alternative to marble, granite and other coated floors. You will see many of these changes in retail stores, warehouses, office buildings, car dealerships and much more throughout the industry. Concrete Polishing pads are used with rotary, planetary machines and hand grinders. Floor polishers range in diameter from 11” to 32” and available with a single or 3 phase power supply. Horsepower ratings typically range from 2hp on the smaller units all the way up to 18hp for the larger machines. Concrete polishing pads are available in various grits such as metal, resin, electroplated, ceramic, non-woven abrasive bonds, and offered in array of sizes from 3” all the way up to 27” in diameter.  

 


Granite Fabrication Blade:

Granite blades are specifically designed for hard stone and offered in several configurations such as segmented, continuous, and turbo. Each one of these different cutting tips will determine the cutting speed, life, and thickness of the cut. Granite blades are manufactured through the process of laser welding, brazing and sintering, and offered in bonds from medium to harder aggregates. Segmented blades are typically bonded medium to hard, and used in wet and dry cutting applications. They are durable and have a longer blade life compared to continuous and turbo blades. Segmented blades are commonly used with 20hp bridge saws ranging in size from 14” to 20” in diameter. Continuous rim blades generally have a softer bond for cutting hard materials such as tile, porcelain, granite, stone and other materials that can chip easily. Continuous rim blades are manufactured with a solid cutting tip, and designed for wet cutting applications which provide a smooth and chip free cut. Continuous rim blades are most commonly used with grinders, tile and circular saws, ranging in size from 4” to 10” in diameter. Turbo blades typically have soft to medium bonds for a variety of applications such as tile, stone, marble, granite, masonry and other hard materials. Turbo blades have a serrated cutting edge designed to give the blade faster cutting speeds while maintaining a smooth and chip free cut. Turbo blades are used with grinders, circular saws and tile saws, ranging in size from 4” to 14” in diameter.