Diamond cutting discs

Author
Discussion

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

7,960 posts

262 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
I've been trying to cut some 2 inch thick flags with my 9inch grinder, something I've regularly done on the past using a diamond cutting disc.
This latest batch of second hand flags are especially hard and my disc is struggling.
The disc I'm using an OX Spectrum branded disc bought at Screwfix.
It cost about £25 and it hasn't done a massive amount of work .

Any recommendations for a better disc for the job please?
Budget up to £50 .

J6542

2,055 posts

51 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Stupid question. But have you got the blade on the correct way?

InitialDave

12,223 posts

126 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Are they the full size ex-council slabs? I'm always impressed at how heavy duty those things are to try and cut through when I've had to mess with them.

I just use "normal" stone cutting discs and accept the high wear.

Does have the useful side effect that a 9" disc, when worn to the point its unusable because the body of the grinder is hitting the workpiece, will fit on a 4.5" grinder for other work.

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

7,960 posts

262 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
J6542 said:
Stupid question. But have you got the blade on the correct way?
Not a stupid question at all.
I’ve taken it off, but the printed side faces outwards when it’s on the machine.


Douglas Quaid

2,430 posts

92 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
The printed side faces inwards and is hidden when installed. It’s the same with circular saw blades. I’ve no idea why this is the case, it’s always baffled me but I’ve used them for many years and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.

Little Lofty

3,484 posts

158 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
I use Abracs 4” blades for cutting porcelain tiles, excellent for the price, their drill bits are also good, I get them from Toolstation.
This seems to get good reviews: https://www.toolstation.com/abracs-general-purpose...

Yabu

2,067 posts

208 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
J6542 said:
Stupid question. But have you got the blade on the correct way?
Not a stupid question at all.
I’ve taken it off, but the printed side faces outwards when it’s on the machine.

Cutting/rotation arrow is still visible just below the bore of the disc, grinder will have a matching arrow

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

7,960 posts

262 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Douglas Quaid said:
The printed side faces inwards and is hidden when installed. It’s the same with circular saw blades. I’ve no idea why this is the case, it’s always baffled me but I’ve used them for many years and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
It’s a lot more obvious with circular saw blades as the hook of the teeth gives the game away, but not with these as the teeth look symmetrical.
BUT, sure enough I have indeed been running the blade the wrong way round. Doh!
I’ll turn it over and try again before I go and buy a new one

wolfracesonic

7,500 posts

134 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
If you have a lot of cutting to do it may be worth contacting Norton’s or Marcrist’s technical department and ask what they recommend specifically for council slabs, rather than the general purpose disc you have. I never knew discs like the one in your pic had a right of wrong way, I’ve always put the label ‘out’: the turbo rim type ones do have a right way, usually with an arrow to show it.

Aluminati

2,755 posts

65 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Abracs Pro from Toolstation are pretty good. Have you been using water on the cut ?

Edited by Aluminati on Saturday 12th October 17:57

Little Lofty

3,484 posts

158 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all

Promised Land

4,946 posts

216 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
Aluminati said:
Abracs Pro from Toolstation are pretty good. Have you been using water on the cut ?

Edited by Aluminati on Saturday 12th October 17:57
Surely that’s a given along with mask, goggles, gloves etc.

Even dustier if the blades in reverse and you’re struggling to cut it.

S6PNJ

5,348 posts

288 months

Saturday 12th October
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
Any recommendations for a better disc for the job please?
Budget up to £50 .
Back in 2016, when I started building a cavity wall / 2.5 bay double garage, I bought a Marcrist Mi650SF Segmented Diamond Blade from Screwfix. It has cut many a brick, breeze block, concrete lintel, roof tile, paving slab and pretty much anything I throw at it. Still tons of life left in it, almost looks unused.

Slightly over budget (assuming it is the same one) by 99p - but I think this is what I have and thoroughly recommended https://www.screwfix.com/p/marcrist-multi-material... It was £34.99 when I bought it June 2016!

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

7,960 posts

262 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
When I turned the blade around, the first cut was little or no better. I persevered and 4 or 5 cuts later, it’s now cutting as well as it did when it was new.
While researching new discs, I read somewhere that it’s advantageous to turn the discs around from time to time as this helps expose new diamonds which of course aids cutting.

You live and learn!

119

9,493 posts

43 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
Aluminati said:
Abracs Pro from Toolstation are pretty good. Have you been using water on the cut ?

Edited by Aluminati on Saturday 12th October 17:57
Cant imagine thats a good idea with an electric grinder.

Vanden Saab

14,787 posts

81 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
Douglas Quaid said:
The printed side faces inwards and is hidden when installed. It’s the same with circular saw blades. I’ve no idea why this is the case, it’s always baffled me but I’ve used them for many years and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember.
Because the outside surface gets more worn and you can no longer see the rotation arrows or the usage instructions.