How to take care of your Blades 101- Saws

Diamond, Concrete, Fire Rescue and Ductile Blade Care

Good blades can be expensive, so you should want them to last as long as possible. That’s true whether you’re cutting ductile iron pipe with a ductile saw blade or concrete with a dry-cut diamond blade. Even fire rescue blades, built for emergency applications and fast cuts, need a little care to ensure they last the next time you need them. Diamond blades, in particular, are made to take a beating, but poor use and maintenance practices can leave even the highest quality diamond blade with a short, ineffective life. Here are some tips on how to care for your blades, no matter what they are.

General Diamond Blade Care

Choose the right blade for the material. Every blade is designed to cut specific materials. Pick the blade that matches your material, whether concrete, asphalt, ductile iron or rescue.

• Mount the blade correctly. Ensure the arbor size matches and the blade is mounted in the proper direction, usually indicated with arrows.
• Avoid overheating the blade. Wet cutting should include a consistent flow of water to cool and control dust.
• Use proper feed pressure. A common diamond blade mistake is forcing the cut with excessive feed pressure. That risks warping the blade and breaking segments.
• Inspect the blade before use. Check for cracks and chips in the metal body, missing segments and uneven wear before each use.
• Dress the blade as needed. Occasionally, cut into a soft material such as a cinder block to reveal new diamonds.

Concrete Diamond Blades

Concrete is hard on all blades, so using the right blade the right way is important.

• Use water cooling. Wet cutting will keep the blade from glazing and will extend the life of the blade.
• Shallow first cut. Hard, cured concrete may require an initial shallow pass to prevent pushing too much material into the blade.
• Control cutting depth. Cut only as deep as is needed to save the life of the blade.
• Store properly when not in use. Keep blades dry and not exposed to corrosive materials when in storage.

Fire Rescue Blades

Fire rescue blades are made for emergencies. Their focus is speed and durability rather than cutting speed or economy.

• Dry cutting. Fire rescue blades are made to cut dry without water, dust control or cooling.
• Store properly when not in use. Fire rescue blades are for emergencies, so do not use them for everyday jobs. Keep them fresh and available.
• Inspect after training runs or use. Rescue blades can be damaged by chipping during training runs. Check carefully for chips after use.
• Ductile Iron Blades
• Pipe cutting is different from cutting concrete and asphalt.
• Avoid pinching or binding. Ductile iron pipe should not be pinched by applying uneven pressure or if the pipe moves as you cut.
• Be aware of sparks. Metal cutting can generate heat and cause sparks, so always cut in a safe, nonflammable area.  https://www.firehouse.com/safety-health
• Alternate cuts when possible. Rotating between different materials will help keep the blade open and sharp.

Concrete Saws

The condition of your saw is as important as the blade.

• Maintain your saws. Clean them after each use and inspect them for loose belts, missing guards and bad bearings.
• Match the saw to the blade RPM. Every blade and saw has a speed rating; make sure they are compatible.
• Check arbor wear. An arbor wearing against the blade body will cause the blade to run off balance and reduce its life.
• Blade care is simple, but it does take discipline. The rewards are faster, smoother cuts, longer life and fewer blade replacements. Each blade deserves your care, and with it, your tools will reward you with consistent performance.