Use Diamond Blades Safely

DIAMOND BLADE SAFETY GUIDELINES

DO

• Ensure the arrow on the blade coincides with the direction of rotation of the machine
• Use personal safety equipment (goggles, gloves, face, head and noise protection)
• Use the machine guard
• Ensure the material is held securely before blade contact
• Guide the blade straight into the material without tilting
• Carry out a slight pendulum movement (forwards, backwards). This maximizes the true potential of blade speed and disperses heat build-up
• Work without too much pressure - the weight of the machine should be sufficient

DO NOT

• Make long continuous cuts with a dry blade (carry out a slight pendulum movement to keep the blade cool)
• Cut too deep in a single pass with a dry blade
• Apply too much pressure and force your diamond blade through the cut
• Let excessive heat be generated at the cutting edge of the blade
• Attempt to cut curves with your blade
• Use standard cutting blades for grinding or for raking out mortar joints

SAFE DRY DIAMOND CORE DRILLING TECHNIQUE

The dry diamond core drill is designed to enable rapid, clean service entries in brick and internal wall materials.

It is ideally suited for plumbers, heating and ventilating engineers, electricians, kitchen fitters and general builders.

Using a minimum 850W, variable speed electric drill with clutch, the coring action is totally rotary enabling the operating noise and vibration to be reduced to the minimum.

1. Pilot drill the wall first with a 13mm (1/2") masonry drill.
2. Locate the 12mm 'A' taper guide rod down through the core and 'push fit' the rod into the 'A' taper adaptor. Drill the pilot hole.
3. Use an 850-watt (min) rotary drill fitted with clutch and variable speed control.
4. Don’t use hammer action when drilling with a dry diamond core drill.
5. Use machine at between 380-3000 rpm. The harder the material and larger the diameter of core, the slower the rpm. The softer the material and for smaller diameter cores, the higher the rpm. Ultimately, faster rotational speeds does not always mean better penetration.
6. Make sure the chuck is tight.
7. Clear swarf at regular intervals, as a build-up will cause overheating, extensive clutch wear and a possible loss of segment.
8. Rotate core bit when entering and leaving hole.
9. Keep machine level.
10. Don’t force the bit – let it do the work. This will prolong its life and reduce the chance of failure.
11. If the bit starts to vibrate, reduce pressure.

TIPS ON GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR DIAMOND PRODUCT

Blade Tips

• Make certain the blade is suitable for the material before cutting
• Guide the blade straight into the material. Do not tilt or subject it to lateral stress or pressure
• Do not use unnecessary pressure; the weight of the machine is sufficient
• Carry out a slight pendulum movement (forwards, backwards)

Dry Core Tips

• Ideally, use a dedicated dry diamond core machine with variable speed control and a slipping clutch
• Use on rotary only: no hammer action
• Pilot drill the wall first with a 13mm masonry drill and use a guide rod to follow the pilot hole
• For harder materials and larger diameter cores use a slower RPM: for softer materials and smaller diameter cores use a faster RPM
• Clear debris from the hole at regular intervals to prevent the core from binding in the hole
• Do not force the core; let it do the work

Wet Core Tips

• Use suitable wet drilling diamond drill motors and rig stands
• Ensure the rig stand is level and secure with zero movement
• Use sufficient supply of water to keep the segments cool
• When the core hits re-bar; relax the pressure and allow the core to drill at its own rate

Re-sharpening Tip

• If the cutting speed of a diamond product reduces you can re-sharpen it by making several passes into a highly abrasive material; such as a 3-Newton concrete block or soft sandstone

Variables that affect performance