Saw blade question.

[Cheesehead]

I've been cutting my bricks on my old table saw. I got an MK diamond blade. It worked great for cutting & tapering about 50 bricks.

Now, I'm assuming it's dull, I can't cut worth a *&^%$&&.

Question - is this normal? Did I force them through? Should I just break down and buy another two blades, or is there another brand/type that would be recommended?

[Tscarborough]

No, when cutting with diamonds, they do not get "dull", the matrix either doesn't wear or wears too much. As a general rule, when cutting soft material, to "sharpen" the blade, cut something hard (like a regular brick or a chunk of concrete. When cutting something hard, cut something soft.

[Faith In Virginia]

I went through 4 diamond blades and that was with water cooling. so I say yes buy some more. Every time the outside layer of the blade is gone you will know it's time to replace the blade because that is where the diamonds are. They aren't like a regular saw blade so they don't get dull. But they do wear down like the black cutting wheels for block or metal. You will need more.

[Cheesehead]

Originally Posted by Tscarborough

No, when cutting with diamonds, they do not get "dull", the matrix either doesn't wear or wears too much. As a general rule, when cutting soft material, to "sharpen" the blade, cut something hard (like a regular brick or a chunk of concrete. When cutting something hard, cut something soft.

So you're saying I should try to cut a piece of concrete to see if I can rejuvenate the blade?

[Tscarborough]

It will rejuvenate the blade by removing matrix and exposing fresh diamonds. Technically, you should buy the correct blade for the material you are cutting, a blade for firebrick will have a medium strength matrix, since firebrick are very soft, but also somewhat abrasive. If you have a concrete blade (which is what my guess is you have), the fire brick are not hard enough to wear the matrix properly.

[dmun]

Yes, blades do wear out. I've worn out a bunch of them. They wear out a lot faster when the cut isn't flooded with water. I trust you're protecting your lungs with a good respirator when dry cutting?

[Tscarborough]

Wearing out is not the same as becoming dull. When it is worn out it is obvious, as there is no more segment left. If there is segment left, it is not worn out.

[Cheesehead]

Tscarborough - thanks for the suggestion. Cutting a brick allowed me to... cut one more firebrick. Or maybe two, before it just bogged down again. The blade I have is for brick and concrete (gave a link at the start), would there be a better suggestion?

dmun - a big yes on the respirator, earplugs, glasses, leather gloves... my kids make fun of me. But when the other members of the household start yelling at me for something they think I need to do, I can point to my ears, shrug my shoulders, and go back to my work.

[Cheesehead]

Other possible blades?

Amazon.com: MK Diamond 150680 MK-950D 10" Dry Cutting Turbo Rim Premium Blade for soft abrasive materials: Home Improvement

Amazon.com: MK Diamond 158358 MK-625D 10-Inch Dry Cutting Continuous Rim Saw Blade with 5/8-Inch Arbor for Masonry: Power & Hand Tools

[Tscarborough]

Cut something hard until you can see the diamonds.