Masonry Magazine November 2004 Page. 30
Saw BLADES
Once the blade is in the field, it is up to the cutting operator to apply a blade to the job at hand in a profitable manner.
Field Performance
THE INFORMATION presented provides the background on how diamond blades should perform. But once the blade is in the field, it is up to the cutting operator to apply a blade to the job at hand in a profitable manner (Figure 7). An operator should regularly inspect for lost segments, uneven segment wear, developing cracks in the segment or steel core, undercutting, overheating, proper diamond exposure, loss of tension and arbor hole/drive pin distortion. Common equipment maintenance items such as blade flanges, blade shaft bearings, alignment of the axle and water delivery system should also be regularly checked. These actions will help ensure continued optimum performance in a safe manner.
QUALITY MASONRY TOOLS
KING BRICK HOD
VARIABLES WHICH AFFECT DIAMOND BLADE PERFORMANCE
| VARIABLES | CONDITION | CUTTING SPEED | BLADE LIFE |
|----------------------|-----------|---------------|------------|
| BOND HARDNESS | HARDER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| | SOFTER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| DIAMOND QUALITY | LOWER | SLOWER | SHORTER |
| | HIGHER | FASTER | LONGER |
| DIAMOND CONCENTRATION| LOWER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| | HIGHER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| SEGMENT WIDTH | THINNER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| | THICKER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| HORSEPOWER | LOWER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| | HIGHER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| BLADE RIPM | LOWER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| | HIGHER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| WATER FLOW | LOWER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| | HIGHER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| CUTTING DEPTH | SHALLOW | FASTER | LONGER |
| | DEEP | SLOWER | SHORTER |
| MATERIAL HARDNESS | HARDER | SLOWER | LONGER |
| | SOFTER | FASTER | SHORTER |
| ABRASIVENESS | MORE | FASTER | SHORTER |
| | LESS | SLOWER | LONGER |
| AGGREGATE SIZE | LARGER | SLOWER | SHORTER |
| | SMALLER | FASTER | LONGER |
| STEEL REINFORCEMENT | LESS | FASTER | LONGER |
| | MORE | SLOWER | SHORTER |
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Conclusion
THE PROPER USE of a diamond blade requires more than just a good diamond blade and a machine. It requires the skills of a professional operator with the knowledge to effectively utilize the tools in conjunction with the analytical skills learned either on the job or in formal training programs.
For optimum performance of a diamond blade this article has shown that, in addition to a trained operator, diamond "wear" is a good and necessary characteristic. If diamonds do not wear, they are of little value in a construction application. While a gem diamond may last forever when "worn" on a woman's finger, a synthetic diamond for a construction application is only of value when it is wearing away!
This article was prepared utilizing information from the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA) Cutting Edge and CSDA Operator Certification training manuals. CSDA is a nonprofit trade association of contractors, manufacturers and affiliated members from the construction and renovation industry. For more information about CSDA and its training programs, call (727) 577-5004 or visit www.csda.org.