Knowledge · Problems and wear
The most common problems with diamond tools have four causes: a bond not matched to the material (glazing or too fast wear), overheating without cooling (lost segments), wrong operating parameters (feed pressure, speed) and a damaged core (run-out, vibration). The look of a worn segment reveals the cause.
The key points in 30 seconds
Usually it is glazing: the bond is too hard for the material, the diamonds go blunt and do not expose new ones. Cutting an abrasive material helps in the short term; a blade with a softer bond is the lasting fix. How to recognise bond hardness on a blade datasheet: guide to segment specification. The most common case in concrete: granite or basalt aggregate.
The cause is often overheating when cutting dry, core undercutting in asphalt or green concrete, impact on dense rebar or a faulty segment joint. For reinforced concrete see how to cut without losing segments on rebar.
A bent or overheated core, the wrong rotational speed, worn machine bearings or a dirty flange. Run-out must be measured before further work.
Debris not flushed out, too little side clearance on the segments, a tilted core drill or the element shifting during drilling.
Normally the segments wear evenly over their height, with the grit visible. Uneven wear, a shiny surface, cracks or breakouts point to a selection or parameter error.
How to recognise it and how to dress the segments.
Overheating, undercutting, impact, joint.
When a core is fit for further work.
Water, side clearance and drilling square.
Diagnosis by segment appearance.
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