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DIAMOND SEGMENTS

There are numerous ways to attach the bond and diamond to a metal or composite disc. The following is an explanation to help you select the proper blade.
• Brazing is similar to soldering where a silver solder is heated and bonds the segment to the blade.
• Welding uses heat as well, but the heat is so intense that it melts the metal and the segment together.
• Mechanical bonding physically locks the segment into the blade with some type of a notch.

WHAT BLADE SHOULD YOU BUY?

As you can see, understanding diamond blades can require a degree in metallurgy. So, if you don't plan on spending the next four years getting such a degree, how does the fabricator determine which blade works best for the type of stone being cut?

Your first step is to ask the manufacturer or distributor which blade they recommend for a particular stone or masonry type. Many of them are very knowledgeable, but this doesn't mean you will always get the best advice. Ask other fabricators which blades they use or go to various stone fabrication forums and post a question.

The second and perhaps the most important things to consider when purchasing a good blade are the diameter of the blade and speed of the saw. Here is how to determine the proper blade diameter for your saw.

A good saw manufacturer will tell you what size blade to buy for optimal cutting of different stones. Optimal cutting is determined by calculating the surface feet per minute (sfpm). To calculate the sfpm, you need to know the revolutions per minute (rpm), the diameter of the blade and the numeric value for Pi (3.14). You can also determine the diameter requirements by knowing the recommended sfpm for the stone and rpm of your saw.

sfpm = Pi x rpm x Blade Diameter

Blade Diameter = sfpm/(Pi x rpm)

COMMON SFPM

A reputable diamond blade salesperson will recommend a different blade for cutting marble than used for cutting granite. The difference will be in the diamond concentration, the bond and the diameter if your saw has only one cutting speed. Marble requires more sfpm (6,000 to 8,500 sfpm), so for single speed saws your marble blade will be larger than your granite blade.

Granite requires less sfpm (4,500 to 6,500 sfpm), so for a single speed saw your granite blade will be smaller than your marble blade. It is also much harder than marble and requires a harder bond to make the blade last longer. Using a smaller blade on harder granite makes the blade cut softer.

Limestone requires much more sfpm (7,500 to 10,000 sfpm). For a single speed saw your limestone blade will be larger than your granite or marble blade.
Most engineered stone will require the same sfpm as granite (4,500 to 6,500 sfpm). However, the resins contained in engineered stone can be a concern with certain blade types. For this reason, make sure you use a blade that is designed for engineered stone. There are blades available that will work on granite and engineered stone.