This document provides an overview of general purpose cutting with diamond blades. It discusses different blade types, how diamond blades work, tools for cutting, and hands-on techniques. The key points covered are: - Different blade styles like segmented, turbo, and patterned diamond blades and their uses. - Diamond blades grind material rather than cut, with the diamonds fracturing to continuously expose new diamonds for cutting. - Important features of handheld saws, walk-behind saws, and masonry saws. - Proper techniques for mounting blades, maintaining consistent pressure while cutting, and step cutting to increase blade life. - Safety precautions like avoiding the kickback zone of the blade.

1. GENERAL PURPOSE CUTTING
PART 1: DISCUSSION

2. This presentation is intended to act as a companion piece
to Lackmond’s hands on diamond training program. It can
also serve as a stand-alone training piece. Classroom
instruction is important, but there is no substitute for hands
on training to reinforce academic concepts. Contact your
Lackmond representative to schedule hands-on training.
COURSES INCLUDE:
• Large Diameter Diamond Blades
• Drilling Products
• Tile Products
• Grinding & Polishing
• Bundling / End User Promotions
OPENING STATEMENT

3. COURSE OVERVIEW
Blade Overview
• Performance differences between blade styles
• Common terms and concepts
• Undercutting / Undercut Protection
• Blade Tensioning
Tools Overview
• Common features and important terms
• Proper blade mounting
• Starting / Operation of tool

4. Blade features and how they impact performance:
Familiarity with commonly used tools
• Hand held, high speed saws
• Walk behind saws
• Masonry Saws
Practical Application: Bond Discussion
• Why is it so important to match blades to specific applications?
• How do blades perform in various aggregate?
Cutting through reinforcement
• Hearing sound difference when hitting rebar
• Feeling saw feedback change
• Proper cutting technique
KEY CONCEPTS

5. Diamond blades are grinding tools, NOT cutting tools
When used correctly, diamond blades are self sharpening tools
The exposed diamond on the blade
segment grinds the material away.
While the blade rotates and is pushed into
the material, the exposed diamonds score
the material and grind it into a fine powder.
The exposed diamonds crack or
fracture as they grind due to applied
pressure and generated heat.
As the segment wears down and the
diamonds are consumed, new diamonds
are exposed to continue the cutting
process
HOW DIAMOND TOOLS WORK

6. • The cutting rim or segment of a diamond blade is comprised of
metal matrix containing various metal powders and small synthetic
diamonds / diamond dust
• The diamonds are the abrasive agent responsible for all of the
actual cutting / grinding
• The metal matrix is designed to wear away at a specific speed
• Matrix composition and wear rate is determined by application
Synthetic diamond (middle) and various metal powders
(left and right) used in the diamond blade manufacturing process
BOND DISCUSSION
Diamond Bond and Matrix

7. • While concrete may be made to a consistent PSI, the aggregate
making up that concrete can vary wildly between regions
• Due to the variation in aggregate type and hardness, blades may
work well in one region yet poorly in another
AGGREGATE HARDNESS MAP

8. Typical Uses:
• Traditional and most popular style of large diameter
diamond blade
• Available in multiple price points and with both laser
and sintered welds
• Available in multiple bonds for a variety of applications
Advantages:
• Excellent cross between cutting speed and blade life
• Fits most popular saws in the marketplace
Potential drawbacks to style:
• Difficult to discern difference between high quality and
lower quality blades based upon appearance alone
• Many technology advances allow increased
performance with minimal added cost over this
traditional design
SEGMENTED BLADES

9. TURBO BLADES
Typical Uses:
• Granite, marble, stone, and decorative applications
• Applications requiring a clean, finished cutting edge
Advantages:
• Rim design achieves a very clean, fine finished edge
• Excellent performance in very hard, dense materials such as
granite, quartz, and natural stone
Potential drawbacks to style:
• Sacrifices some cutting speed to achieve smoother cut
• Larger diameter turbo blades are not widely stocked at
traditional construction distribution / supply houses

10. SEGMENTED TURBO BLADES
Typical Uses:
• Popular in all general purpose applications
• Excellent performance in overlay situations
(when undercut segments are present)
• Perfect for situations needing excellent cutting speed
Advantages:
• Combines features of both segmented and turbo style blades
• Very fast cutting speed and, usually, excellent blade life
Potential drawbacks to style:
• Often only found in premium level products, so cost can
be a factor
• Some segment designs are purely for marketing reasons
and have no significant or measurable performance impact

11. SPECIALTY BLADES
Typical Uses:
• Wide variety of styles, designs, and materials available
to fit any cutting situation
• Ductile, Demolition, Steel, and many more applications
Advantages:
• Specifically designed for niche applications
• Excellent performance in stated applications, increasing
productivity, worker safety, and lowering costs
Potential drawbacks to style:
• Often only usable for one specific situation or application
• Can be expensive depending on product
• Less variety of compatible tools than with traditional
diamond blades

12. PATTERNED DIAMOND
Typical Uses:
• Most popular in stone and granite industries, but also
available in higher quality general construction products
Advantages:
• Patterned diamond blades provide the most efficient
arrangement of diamond for extremely fast cutting
• Manufacturing processes provide flexibility in designing
a bond matrix, making these blades extremely versatile
Potential drawbacks to style:
• Due to labor, manufacturing, and material concerns, these
products are generally higher cost and focused on higher
end uses

13. The term “Undercutting” or “Knife Edging” refers to the
premature wear of the weld point between blade segment
and core
• Usually a result of cutting very abrasive materials
• Also seen when cutting THROUGH a slab and in to
the sand / gravel substrate
Most asphalt / block blades and multi-application blades
incorporate undercut protection segments to prevent this
issue
Undercutting (left) can quickly
lead to segment loss (right)
UNDERCUTTING / KNIFE EDGING

14. UNDERCUT PROTECTION
Four separate approaches to undercut protection.
• The arrows point directly to the undercut protection
segment.
• The style used is based upon a number of factors
but is most heavily influenced by core design, segment
spacing, and manufacturing processes

15. Roll tensioning machines like the
one shown are used on almost
every Lackmond diamond blade
The lightly colored “ring” on both
sides of the blade core is
evidence of pre and post blade
tensioning
Blade Tensioning is a quality control process performed
both prior to & after welding segments to the core
• This process ensures that blades run straight and true when at
operating speeds
• A tensioned blade will cut more straight, more quickly, last
longer, and put less wear on the tool
• Low cost manufacturers often skip this step and some even
paint their blades to hide their lack of blade tensioning
BLADE TENSIONING

16. GENERAL PURPOSE CUTTING
PART 2: TOOLS

17. ChokeBlade Flange
Throttle Lockout
Throttle Control
Start Throttle Lock
Stop Switch
Water Tap
Starter Handle
Illustrations from Husqvarna®
K760 product manual
Important terms and features for a hand held, high speed saw:
TOOL OVERVIEW

18. Gas Cap
Water Valve
Blade Guard
Starter Handle
Adjustable Handle
Kill Switch
Blade Height Control Wheel
TOOL OVERVIEW
Important terms and features for walk behind saw:

19. On / Off Switch
Handle
Air Filter
Plunge Release
Cutting Channel
Sliding TraySliding Tray Lock
TOOL OVERVIEW
Important terms and features for masonry saw:

20. GENERAL PURPOSE CUTTING
PART 3: HANDS ON

21. • Ensure the blade arrow matches the rotation of the saw.
• Most hand held saws have an arrow displayed
• On the blade guard.
• Place the diamond blade on the drive shaft
between both flange washers
• Lock the shaft
• Tighten bolt with supplied wrench until blade
is secure
• Follow your specific saw’s instructions
MOUNTING THE BLADE

22. We will be using the Masonry saw for our hands on portion
for a number of reasons
• Easier to control and feel differences between blade types
• Safety
• Eliminates user inexperience as a factor in blade performance
TURN OFF saw after each cut, BEFORE moving hands to
the cutting zone
• Allow blade to completely stop before removing material
Pay attention to the following factors as you cut:
• Attempt to maintain a consistent level of downward pressure
on the handle
• Feel the difference in cutting speeds across various products
and blade types
• Listen for sound differences between materials & blade types
PROPER CUTTING TECHNIQUE

23. For handheld saws:
• Allow the weight of the tool to apply downward force
• Your hands are there only to control the saw
Let the blade sink in to the cutting surface prior to
pushing forward
Begin cutting along your line getting progressively
deeper with each pass of the blade
• This cutting technique is called Step Cutting and it allows
the blade to remove less material each pass
• Cutting speed, blade life, and user fatigue are all positively
impacted by step-cutting
Remove the blade from a cut prior to releasing the
saw throttle or turning off power
PROPER CUTTING TECHNIQUE

24. Move STOP Switch to left positionPress in Decompression Valve1.
3.
5. 6.
4.
2.
HAND HELD H/S: STARTING THE SAW
Pull CHOKE fully out
Press Air Purge 6+ times
Depress Throttle Controls &
engage Start Throttle Lock
Pull throttle cable to start saw

25. • NEVER cut in the “Kickback Zone” of a high speed handheld blade
• Cutting using the portion of the diamond blade ABOVE the centerline
(as shown below) can result in climbing kickback and serious bodily
injury
• ONLY use the bottom half of a diamond blade when cutting
to avoid climbing kickback
• Always read and obey all instructions that come with your specific saw
NEVER cut with this
portion of the blade
SAFETY: KICKBACK ZONE