Diamond Blade vs Abrasive Blade

One day, Diamond Blade vs Abrasive Blade as to which one to choose, we received a message from our customer: “I would use a 12-inch portable cutting saw to cut masonry walls. I have a problem with which blade to buy: ground blades are about $8, while diamond blades are about $150. I figured if I chose to grind the blades, I would need some extra blades for my job. However, even if you want to buy 4 grinding blades, it is still much cheaper than diamond blades. Please kindly help me, this is the first time I have used cut masonry.”

The above are common problems encountered in daily use. When it comes to cutting hard materials such as asphalt, concrete or firebrick, choosing the right tool is very important. One of the most efficient tools is a hot-pressed diamond blade with a fan piece. In this article, we will discuss the benefits and applications of this versatile tool and provide some useful tips to help you use it properly.

The choice between diamond blades and abrasive blades is not static. They are two completely different options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Traditionally, workers would use grinding wheels at first, and many would use only grinding wheels throughout their careers. Others switch between grinding blades and diamond blades as needed. Both options are fine, as long as they have the desired effect.

Let’s take a look at what makes these two options so different, and when it’s more appropriate to choose one over the other.

Methods of cutting, grinding, sharpening and polishing all depend on choosing the right cutting wheel.

In this article, we will introduce two options specifically for cutting hard materials: diamond cutting wheels and abrasive cutting wheels.

What is the difference between them, and how to choose the most suitable cutting wheel? We’ll talk more about that next.

What is a cutting wheel/blade?

Before we discuss these two options in detail, let’s get on the same page. There are many different sizes of cutting wheels to choose from, but in this article we will focus on the 4.5-inch and 7-inch cutting wheels used in Angle grinders. However, a lot of what we’ve covered here applies to cutting wheels of any size.

We are specifically talking about the cutting wheel, also known as the cutting disc. It is not to be confused with grinding wheel options on grinding wheels, cup grinding wheels, flip wheels, wire brush wheels, or other Angle grinders. Discussing all other types of wheels makes the topic more complicated, so today we’ll just focus on proven and real cutting wheels.

So what is the glue cutting wheel?

These wheels are the common and most commonly used cutting wheels. The structure of the bonded cutting wheel is similar to that of the bonded grinding wheel.

Thousands of sharp abrasive particles are bonded together by the resin material, allowing the cutting wheel to cut efficiently. When the adhesive and rough particles wear out, new sharp particles appear, which can extend the service life of the cutting wheel.

There are two types of cemented abrasive cutting wheels:

Type-1 flat wheel

This type of wheel has a raised hub in the center and is known as the Model 27 wheel.

What is Abrasive cutting wheel?

I’d say there’s a missing grinding wheel hidden under cabinets in every garage, shed and workshop in America.

For decades, if you needed to make a clean 90-degree cut on a metal tube, rod, or sheet, you would pick up a pack of abrasive cutting wheels, load them into an Angle grinder, and start cutting. They are a good choice because they cut fast and are cheap, so you can buy a bunch.

Abrasive cutting wheels are often referred to as adhesive wheels or adhesive abrasive wheels, as their name implies. They are made of abrasive fibers, all bonded together to form the wheel. When the grinding wheel cuts, it sheds the used blunt abrasive fibers to make way for the next row of fresh abrasive fibers. This constant shedding is the main reason these wheels cut so quickly. That’s why wheels wear out so quickly.

You can use different granular materials to get these wheels, and each material has different properties, so you need to choose the particles based on what you want to cut.

Zirconia cutting wheels are a popular choice because of their excellent cutting ability and low cost. These durable wheels cut fast and work well on steel, iron and other metals.

Alumina is another common choice, and probably the most popular. Workers like the consistently low cost of these wheels and their cutting speed.

Ceramic wheels are a good choice when you need to reduce heat while cutting. These wheels tend to be cooler when cutting, making them a good choice for stainless steel, steel and metals where cutting is difficult or slow.

There are other cereal options, but these are the three you’ll encounter most often. These cutting wheels also come in two “types.”

Type 1 wheels are flat all the way. These wheels are ideal for deep straight cuts, but the field of view when using the wheels is limited and requires a certain amount of expertise when operating. These are sometimes called Model 41 wheels.

The center depression of the model 27 wheel is used for mounting the wheel. This slight offset gives workers a better view and the option to cut flush, but at the cost of not being able to cut as deeply as the Type 1. These are sometimes referred to as 42 sand wheels.

Finally, these wheels usually have some degree of reinforcement. You will see wheels marked as single, double or triple reinforced. This indicates how many layers of glass fiber reinforcing material are in the wheel. This is an important feature because weak abrasive wheels are known to crack and shatter during cutting, sending shrapnel fragments flying in all directions.

The combination of fiberglass reinforced materials and stronger adhesives makes modern grinding wheels less likely to crack, but be aware that some low-cost options can still crack and break.

What is a diamond cutting wheel?

A diamond cutting wheel is a cutting wheel whose cutting edge is covered with a diamond coating. Compared with ordinary grinding wheels, diamond cutting wheels can reduce a lot of damage. They operate in a similar way to other diamond cutting blades used in saws. You can use it to cut until it becomes dull, while the edges of the diamond coating can last longer and remain sharp.

When buying a diamond cutting wheel or any diamond-coated blade, you need to consider cost-effectiveness, that is, weighing the difference between cheap and expensive wheels. Not all diamond grinding wheels are manufactured to the same quality standards. You can choose more affordable options, but they may have a shorter lifespan or be more likely to crack or break.

Surprisingly, buying the best, most expensive wheels isn’t always the right choice. If this is your first time using a cutting wheel, or if you only use it occasionally and are not skilled, a diamond wheel that costs more than $25 can be easily damaged or destroyed. In this case, it may be better to save some money by starting with a lower-cost option.

If you are experienced and need a wheel with a long life, or your project requires the same size wheel for every cut, then spending money on a higher-end diamond wheel may be the best option.

There are many differences between the two options. The construction of the two wheels is different, and there are other differences.

So, choose the adhesive cutting wheel or the diamond coated wheel? After we have a better understanding of these two types of wheels, we can find out.

Diamond Blade vs Abrasive Blade

Both diamond and bonded cutting wheels have advantages and disadvantages. In most cases, bonded cutting wheels cut faster over their service life, but they also wear out faster.

Diamond cutting wheels are suitable for cutting hard metals, while bonded cutting wheels produce more sparks because particles and bonds are ground at the same time.

Bonded cutting wheels offer more options, while diamond wheels are more effective when cutting tiles and concrete.

In terms of cutting speed, grinding wheels are usually faster, whether it is cutting wood or other materials.Diamond cutting wheels produce less dust because they do not shed particles.The diamond cutting wheel generates more heat during the cutting process, which may cause the material to deform, discolor or burn.
In terms of cost, diamond cutting wheel prices are higher, but the service life is longer, and the grinding wheel prices are lower.
In terms of safety, the correct use of the next two cutting wheels is safe, but the grinding wheel produces more sparks.

In general, the choice of which cutting wheel to use should be based on specific needs and budgets.

When we considering grinding wheels, we need to keep in mind some items:

First is to consider the versatility: Grinding wheels, such as cutting wheels and grinding discs, are known for their versatility. They can cut a variety of materials, including metal, concrete and masonry. This adaptability makes them a popular choice in many construction and manufacturing applications.
Second, we need to know the High cost performance: Grinding wheels are usually cheaper compared to diamond saw blades. This cost-effectiveness can make them an attractive option for those on a tight budget or involved in one-off projects.
Third is about Faster cutting speed: Grinding wheel general provides a faster cutting speed, which is very advantageous when you need to complete tasks quickly. Grinding material Grinding material to produce minimal resistance.
Next is for the Short lifetime: One disadvantage of grinding wheels is their relatively short service life. They wear out faster, especially when cutting hard materials such as ductile iron. This leads to frequent wheel replacement, increasing the overall cost in the long run.

If you are considering a ductile iron diamond saw blade, consider the following:

About the Precise, clean cutting: Diamond saw blades are known for their ability to produce precise, clean cuts. This is especially important when working with ductile iron, as it minimizes the need for additional finishing or smoothing of the cut edges.
Longer service life: Compared with the grinding wheel, the service life of the ductile iron diamond saw blade is significantly longer. The diamond tip can withstand the wear of ductile iron, reducing blade changes and downtime.
Reduce dust and debris: When using diamond blades to cut ductile iron, less dust and debris are produced, which is a significant advantage for worker safety and maintaining a cleaner working environment. In many industrial Settings, dust control is critical to meeting safety and environmental regulations.
Initial investment:One of the main disadvantages of ductile iron diamond saw blades is their high initial cost compared to grinding wheels. However, this cost is offset by their longer service life and superior performance when cutting ductile iron and other hard materials.

Conclusion

Diamond Blade vs Abrasive Blade, both has its own advantages and disadvantages, it depends when you choose which one to use. So, know very detail about your detail requirement, you will know which one to choose.