Safety

Diamond Blade Do's & Don'ts

There's a common term these days that refers to a very famous person we all know as 'that guy.' Nobody ever wants to be 'that guy'. But everyone knows this person and knows just how quickly the legend of his famous deeds can spread. Here are some tips to help you work with diamond blades without becoming infamous.

Wet Cutting Do's & Don'ts

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:
  • All fluids are at proper levels.
  • Blade shaft bearings should be free of end and radial play.
  • V-belts should be properly tensioned and pulleys checked for excessive wear.
  • Lead off adjustment is set correctly, to allow the blade to travel straight.
  • 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 a sufficient water flow. The water pumps on concrete saws are "booster" pumps only and are not adequate as a primary pressure source. An adequate coolant 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 the saw with proper safety attire, i.e., safety glasses, safety helmet, safety shoes and hearing protection.
• Do examine blade periodically for heat marks or cracks in the steel center or segments, or excessive wear under the segments.

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, which shows segment damage or loss, or which has a damaged arbor hole.
• Don't use mounting flanges on which the bearing surfaces 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.
• Don't mount blade on machine that does not meet the minimum requirements set forth in the manufacturer's machine operating manual.
• Don't stand in direct line of blades during start-up or operation.

Dry Cutting Do's & Don'ts

Do's 

• Do follow manufacturer's recommendation regarding specification 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 damage to the arbor hole.
• Do check the mounting flanges to be sure that they are of equal or 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 conditions. Spindle bearings 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 at all times. Always wear safety glasses, safety footwear, snug fitting clothing, hearing and head protection, and respiratory equipment where required.

Don'ts 

• Don't cut dry except with a blade specifically designated for dry cutting by the manufacturer.
• 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 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 force blade onto machine blade shaft, alter the size of the mounting hole, or tighten mounting nut excessively. The use of loose bushings to reduce the arbor hole size is not recommended for diamond blades used on high speed saws.
• Don't stand in direct line with dry diamond or abrasive blades during start-up or operation.
• Don't attempt to cut more than 1 ½ inches deep per pass with dry cut blades.
• Don't make long continuous cuts with a dry diamond blade. 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 force the blade into the material; allow the blade to cut at its own speed. Forcing the blade may cause overheating or blade damage.
• Don't cut or grind with the sides of a diamond blade.
• Don't allow the blade to deflect in the cut.
• Don't attempt to cut curves or radii.

For additional information on this topic or if you need any other abrasive safety information, please review the Norton Product Safety page, ANSI, OSHA, and all literature provided by the abrasive wheel and machine manufacturer. You may contact the Saint-Gobain Product Safety Department at (508) 795-, fax: (508) 795-, or contact your Saint-Gobain Abrasives representative with any safety related questions.

For more information, please visit Leading Diamond Tools.

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