Sharpening a diamond cutting disc - A simple guide

Sharpening the diamond cutting disc: How to increase the service life of your tools.

A diamond cutting disc is an essential tool in many craft and construction projects. However, it is only as good as its cutting quality at that moment.

A dull cut-off wheel leads to unnecessarily bad results.

In this article you will learn how to:

• How to sharpen diamond cutting discs
  
  
• In which cases a sharpening is possible

What is a diamond cutting disc?

Brief explanation of how a diamond cutting disc works.

A diamond disc consists of a metal body to which various diamond segments are attached.

The diamond segment is provided with diamond particles that are worn away during cutting and can reappear.

Why does the diamond cutting disc need to be sharpened?

A dull diamond cutting disc leads to several problems:

1. Impaired cutting performance - Leads to significantly longer time consumption.

2. Poorer quality of the cut edges with possible breakouts

3. A dull diamond blade tends to jam in the material.

4. The machine can be significantly overloaded because it tries to compensate for the lack of cutting power with more machine power.

To prevent these problems, you should resharpen your diamond cutting disc when needed.

The rule of thumb is: If the cutting performance decreases significantly, it must be reground. This should also be done in the case of unusual outbreaks or regular jams.

Fingernail test

A simple and proven method of determining the sharpness of a diamond cutting disc is the fingernail test.

To do this, run your fingernail along the surface of the diamond segments. Normally you should be able to feel the smallest and regular bulges of the diamond particles.

Methods for sharpening a diamond blade

There are several methods to sharpen a diamond blade. Here are two options:

1. For the do-it-yourselfer - sand-lime brick

Sand-lime brick can be very effective and cost-effective in helping to uncover new diamond chips in the diamond segment . It is particularly important to pay attention to the correct execution for the best possible results.

1. Place (assemble) sand-lime brick in such a way that it cannot slip.

2. Make five cuts in the sand-lime brick. You should bring the cutting disc to the maximum number of revolutions and immerse it in the sand-lime brick.

3. Very important: After immersing in the sandstone , switch off the machine immediately and wait until the diamond cutting disc stops rotating. In this way, the diamond segments are additionally brought into shape.

4. Make five complete cuts in the sand-lime brick and cut through.

2. For the professional - sharpening stone for diamond discs

The special sharpening stone is the better alternative to a sand-lime stone for craftsmen and craft businesses that have to sharpen a large number of diamond cutting discs.

To do this, cut off one or two thin strips of the sharpening stone. Already then enough new diamond particles should be exposed.

This variant is significantly faster and does not lead to high wear of sand-lime bricks.

Additional tips to extend the life of your diamond cutting disc

Sharpening your diamond blade is one way to extend its life. However, there are other measures you can take.

Here are some tips for you:

• Use the correct blade for the material or group of materials to be cut.
  
  
• Make sure that the cutting disc is always correctly aligned. Incorrect use of the direction of rotation is not recommended, leads to poorer cuts and premature wear.
  
  
• Make sure the cutting disc does not overheat. This is best done with breaks in cutting or with the addition of water if the disc is designed for wet cutting .
  
  
• Use suitable cut protection to avoid additional damage to the cutting disc.
  
  
• Please do not permanently expose to water or high humidity.

By using these tips and regularly sharpening your cut-off wheel, you can ensure that it stays in good condition and lasts extra long.

Conclusion

A diamond cutting disc is an essential diamond tool for many DIY and construction projects.

It is imperative to keep the diamond blade in proper condition to get the best possible cut quality without chipping.