ArticleCutting BladesMAKING THE CUT: FINDING THERIGHT BLADE FOR THE JOBDominic Waring, Technical Sales Manager at Norton Clipper, Saint-Gobain Abrasives,explains how you can ensure you’re using the best diamond blade or cutting disc for a job.Using the wrong type of diamond blade orcutting disc can lead to inadequateresults and damaged products, while alsowasting a contractor’s time and resources. Butwith so many different types of abrasives on themarket, finding the right one can be a minefield.At Norton Clipper, our absolute top advice for anycontractor working with cutting equipment is:don’t be afraid to ask. There can be endlessvariables that determine what type of product isideally suited for certain applications, so if you’reever unsure, it’s always best to ask those in theknow. Your local builders’ merchants will alwaysbe happy to lend a hand, but don’t forget to alsocheck a manufacturer’s website, as there willoften be pages of information on which blade isbest for which job, and may even feature productguides or demo videos.Instead of looking towards the cheapest option orusing the same product for every job, first askyourself some questions: what quantity do I needto cut?; what materials will I be cutting?; andwhat tools will I use to cut it with? – the answerswill help you determine which size and type ofproduct you need, and whether you need a cuttingdisc or a diamond blade.A cutting disc is a lightweight and cheap cuttingoption that delivers a decent cut for smallerprojects. These discs are thinner and less durablethan their diamond blade counterparts, meaningthey can wear out fairly quickly. When looking tomake lots of cuts, or when working on toughmaterials, this often means using up numerouscutting discs. Fitting and removing the worn downdiscs may only take a couple of minutes each, butcan quickly add up to hours of lost time on site –proving a less cost effective option for thosebigger projects.This being said, the cost andease of use of cutting discsmake them a great optionwhen cutting just a couple ofroof tiles. As they arelightweight, these discs alsomake a good accompaniment forcordless power tools, using less power to startup and saving on battery life.“For roof tiles we wouldrecommend acontinuous rim, whichoffers a smoother cutwith a reduced risk ofchipping”For many contractors though, jobs require thefaster and longer-lasting performance found indiamond blades. These blades offer a morecomfortable and safer cut for the user asvibration is reduced, decreasing the effects offatigue and the chances of getting white finger.But the main attraction to diamond blades is, ofcourse, their unrivalled ability to work longer,faster, and achieve a better finish – helping tosave both time and money on a job.Two main types of diamond bladeWhat many tradespeople aren’t aware of,however, is the extensive variety of diamondblades. There are two main types of diamondblades – a segmented rim and a continuous rim.For roof tiles we would strongly recommend acontinuous rim, which offers a smoother cut witha reduced risk of chipping – minimising anyworries of wastage or damaged tiles.Left: Norton Clipper Multipurpose 230mm.There are diamond bladesavailable for almost everymaterial and application, andusing the right one can reallydetermine a job well done. Whenusing an incorrect diamond blade, thetools used have to work harder to achievethe desired result, whilst the blade can prematurelywear and no longer cut effectively, and may evendamage the material you are trying to cut.In general, a multi-material or general buildingmaterialcontinuous rim blade is the perfect fit forroof tiles, and will help achieve smooth cuts timeafter time. Whether you opt for cutting discs,diamond blades or a combination of the two, it isalways advised that you check that they aresuitable for the product you will be cutting.At Norton Clipper, we’ve worked hard to make itas easy as possible for contractors to take thestress out of the selection process. Each type ofNorton Clipper diamond blade is colour coded andclearly states its application type, meaningtradespeople can find a suitable product bysimply scanning the shelves, or taking a quicklook at our website beforehand to find out whatthey should be looking for.Above: Colour coding for diamond blades.Contact Norton Abrasives01785 279553www.nortonabrasives.com60 TC SEPTEMBER 2020
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