Diamond tool troubleshooting guide

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2010/1/10 Read:4276

Blade problems: causes and cures

Guide to common problems

Insufficient power

Overheating-Dry cutting blades

Loss of Tension

Out of Round

Excessive blade vibration

Blade Problems: Causes and Cures
A very small percentage of diamond saw blades are returned for defects in manufacturing. The majority of diamond saw blade problems originate from:

1) Incorrect application of the blade
2) Abuse of the blade
3) Defective Equipment

Guide to Common Problems
A diamond saw blade will stop cutting if the exposed diamonds wear down quicker than the bond can expose new diamonds.

Reasons:

Metal Bonds -- Improper Blade Specifications
Metal bonds used in diamond saw blades are designed for use on a specific range of materials. Softer bonds, which wear faster, are used on materials that are harder or less abrasive, e.g., concrete and brick. Harder bonds, which wear slowly, are used on materials which are softer or more abrasive, e.g., asphalt and cement blocks.

Dressing of Diamond Saw Blades --
"Opening Up" the Blade
Although the majority of diamond saw blades are "dressed" by the manufacturer, there should always be an initial break-in period. Diamond saw blades which are pushed too hard at the beginning will stop cutting. Diamond saw blades should always be allowed to sharpen in the material being cut.

Insufficient Power
If the angle grinder or sawing machine does not have enough power, the bond will not break down sufficiently. This again, will stop the saw blade from cutting.


Overheating -- Dry Cutting Blades
If the diamond rim becomes overheated it can mushroom or melt over the diamonds. If this happens, you should:

1) Take shallow passes
2) Allow blade to spin the air for 30-50 seconds

Loss of Tension
Diamond saw blades are designed to run true at a prescribed RPM. A blade that is overheated or suffers from shocking (being dropped) can lose its tension. This could cause the blade to "wobble" or "flutter."


Out of Round
A diamond saw blade is out of round when one portion of the blade shows to be higher than the other after a number of cuts. Possible causes may be:

If the arbor shaft on the sawing machine is worn the blade will not fit true on the shaft. The wear patter on the blade shows high and low.
solution: Replace arbor shaft.

The bearings are worn. If this is the case, you will notice a wear pattern of quartering: 1/4 high, next low, high, etc.
solution: Replace bad bearing.

Excessive Blade Vibration
If the bond is too hard for the material being cut, the diamonds will become dull and the blade will begin to glaze over. When the blade is glazing over, it will have a tendency to hammer pound as it is sawing.
solution: Use another bond specification