If you are a keen DIYer, you might be considering investing in a saw of some description. Despite commonly being found on construction sites, circular saws are versatile pieces of kit that can be used for a variety of purposes around the home. For example, you might want to cut some logs for firewood or cut long pieces of plywood to the required lengths when building a desk or some shelves. You might even have a job that requires you to cut metal or tile. But what type of blade should be fitted to your saw? The experts at Devour Tools say that diamond blades could be the ideal choice for some of your home DIY jobs.
What is a Diamond Blade?
If you have never heard of a diamond blade before, you might be curious as to what it is. After all, isn’t a blade just a blade? Why would you need a ‘diamond’ blade?
A diamond blade is not a complete blade made from diamond. Nor is it a blade in the shape of a diamond. What it is, is a steel blade that has been tipped with crushed synthetic diamonds to produce one of the most effective cutting devices around today.
If you were not already aware, diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known in the world. The use of diamonds allows for the quick and effective cutting of many other hard materials including metal, concrete, tile, porcelain, stone, and brick.
How are Diamond Blades Made?
There are a few different ways that diamond blades are made. A mix of crushed metal and diamonds are bonded to a blade through sintering, laser welding, silver brazing, or electroplating. How the bond is created will depend on the preferences of the company manufacturing the blade as well as the strength of the bond required. Electroplating provides the toughest bond, ensuring a supreme performance from the diamond blade.
Are Diamond Blades Only Suited to Commercial Use?
As diamond blades are often chosen for cutting through hard materials such as masonry and stone, you would be forgiven for assuming that they are for commercial use only. However, they are also a fantastic option for tile and metal cutting, so they can be used by homeowners in a circular saw or tile saw.
What you should be aware of when it comes to diamond blades is that they don’t actually cut through materials. Instead, they grind the material down, which means they are not suitable for some materials, such as wood or glass, as the grinding would result in a rough edge.
How to Safely Use Diamond Blades
If you fit a diamond blade to a saw for DIY jobs in the home, there are some things you need to be aware of to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. The first thing is to know whether the type of cutting you are doing should be done wet or dry. In general, wet cutting is recommended as it stops the blade from getting too hot and will prolong its life. Wet cutting will also minimize the amount of dust and debris flying about, making it a safer way to cut in many instances.
You also need to make sure that the saw you are using is in full working order before you begin and that the blade has been attached properly. Furthermore, always wear the required protective gear when using any kind of saw. Safety helmet, gloves, steel-capped shoes, and goggles are a must. Furthermore, you should also make sure you are not wearing loose clothing that could get trapped in the mechanism of the saw.