Three Tips When Using Dry Diamond Blades

There are many handy projects you can do that will require the use of a dry diamond blade for cutting cement, stone or similar materials, but there are a few things to remember before attempting to use your power saw with a diamond blade. The following are just a few of the things to keep in mind for your safety and to keep the finished project looking good.

Protect yourself from dust 

Depending upon the material that you are cutting, the amount of dust that can kick up can sometimes be significant. It is always best to protect yourself with a breathing apparatus. At the very least, a surgical mask will do the job. Most people will not be cutting for any significant amount of time, so a surgical mask will be both cheap and effective. When cutting for an extended period of time, you need to invest in a more elaborate respirator mask.

Protect your eyes and body

Protecting your eyes should be obvious to anyone, but there are still thousands of accidents every year in the country that could have been prevented with protective glasses. Do not go cheap on buying a pair. This is an investment that you will never regret. In addition to protecting your eyes, do not neglect your body. It is best to wear something heavy with long sleeves to protect from a stray chunk of concrete hitting your body. Although seldom life threatening, the first time you get hit by a small size rock at high speed, you will wish you were wearing a thicker shirt or jacket.

Allow your cutting blade to cool

Using a hand held power tool means that you will be using a dry diamond blade. Unlike the larger saws used in the construction industry that use wet blades, your dry blade will be dependent upon air to keep the blade cool instead of water. These blades are designed to stay cool from the air, but it is equally important to use the correct technique when cutting. You should make short, shallow cuts with your saw, and give your blade a chance to cool before cutting a second time. Avoid cutting through the cement or stone with a single cut.

For more information about a dry diamond saw blade, you can visit a website of one of the companies that specializes in these blades. The U.S. Diamond company is one example.

Read more...