Cutting stone like granite requires a diamond saw blade because of the hardness of the material. Same for other types of stone, like marble and slate, as well as concrete, brick, or ceramic tile.
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Granite may be one of the hardest stones, but diamond is the absolute hardest known natural material. It can cut through anything. That's why we use it in our Timberline® Diamond Saw Blades for Concrete and Masonry.
These circular steel blades have diamond-impregnated grit on the rims, containing a mixture of metal powder, diamond powders and industrial diamonds of different sizes and qualities, depending on the different types of material to cut.
When cutting stone with a diamond-impregnated saw blade, the process is more like grinding than traditional cutting. The diamonds embedded in the blade grind away the material as the blade moves through the stone.
It's a subtle difference, but with saw blades, cutting typically implies a shearing or slicing action, where the material is separated by a sharp edge.
In contrast, grinding implies wearing away the material through abrasion or friction. The action of a diamond-impregnated saw blade on stone is more about abrasion, making "grinding" a more accurate description of the process.
Why does this matter? Because, cutting stone (/grinding stone) creates a LOT of dust.
So. Much. Dust.
If you cut it dry, you definitely want to work outside in a well-ventilated area.
You can also use a wet saw to reduce the dust, which has the added benefit of keeping your blade cool, preventing overheating and reducing friction.
But, the water will mix with the dust, creating a sludge which will drip down to your floor. (And there will still be some dust, anyway.)
If you use a wet saw, you probably also want to work outside, or, if you can't - lay down a tarp.
Either way, make sure you use a mask, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
There are 3 basic types of diamond-impregnated saw blades:
Continuous rims are better on ceramic and other material where chipping can be a problem. Ours provide ultra smooth, chip-free cutting in ceramic tiles, as well as marble and even porcelain.
The individual diamond crystals exposed on the edge and sides of the rim do the cutting.
As you push the rotating blade into the surface of the material, the diamonds cut/grind a groove in the material. While the blade cuts, the material exerts wear on the blade exposing the diamond grit on the rim. This causes the diamond grit to wear away and expose more diamond grit underneath, thus grooving the material.
Segmented blades are ideal for cutting concrete block, concrete, concrete pavers and other abrasive materials. The more abrasive the material the faster the tendency to wear down the rim.
They can also be used on slate, or granite. However, the cut might not be as smooth as with a continuous blade.
They provide the longest life at the lowest cost per cut. The segmented gullets provide faster, cleaner and cooler cuts. These blades should be used only where chipping is not a problem.
Turbo Diamond blades offer the best of both worlds.
This is a combination of the continuous and segmented designs. It has a serrated or wavy rim that gives faster cutting speed and provides a somewhat smoother cut than a purely segmented blade.
They are ideal for cutting concrete, brick, pavers, as well as slate, granite and marble.
These diamond saw blades are sintered with a serrated cutting edge to stay in constant contact with the material.
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They produce a smoother cut than the segmented blades, but, they have a longer life than the continuous rim blades.
In the context of diamond tooling (like a saw blade), "sintered" refers to a process by which the diamond grit is embedded into the tool through a heating method, but without fully melting the base material.
This creates a strong bond between the diamonds and the tool's matrix. A sintered blade typically offers a longer life because as the outer layer wears away, new diamond grit is exposed, allowing for continued cutting.
Trust us - it's a good thing.
A serrated cutting edge is a blade edge that is not smooth but has teeth or grooves.
This design is somewhat of a hybrid between a continuous rim and a segmented rim. A serrated edge can help with faster cutting and better cooling of the blade.
It provides a combination of speed (like you'd get with a segmented blade) and a smoother cut (like you'd get with a continuous rim).
Safety Precautions: Cutting stone can be hazardous, so it’s important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, ear protection, and a dust mask if dry cutting.
It’s also important to ensure that the stone is properly secured to prevent movement during cutting.
Blade Speed: The speed at which the blade is operated affects the efficiency of the cut. Operating at the recommended speed for the blade and material is important to achieve optimal results and prevent blade damage.
Blade Wear: Over time, the diamond particles on the blade wear away and become less effective. Regularly checking the blade for wear and replacing it as needed is essential to maintain cutting efficiency.
Machine Type: Diamond-impregnated saw blades can be used on a variety of machines, including handheld cutters, table saws, and large stationary cutting machines, depending on the size of the stone and the type of cut required.
Always read and follow the operating and safety instructions in the power tool owner’s manual before using.
A diamond blade is a precision cutting tool that is constructed from a steel core plus a hard metal powder mix of diamond segments and a resin bond that fastens it all together. The diameter, and the degree of the diamond’s concentration, of the diamond changes according to the blade and the material it is meant to cut. At SIMA, our diamond blades are subjected to a unique thermal process that increases their strength and resistance to cutting.
If you’re wondering about the main uses of diamond blades or asking yourself questions like “can you cut granite with a grinder?” or “how do I cut stone?” keep reading to find out more.
Diamond blades are a worthy investment. Although these might not be the cheapest cutting tools, concerning their resistance, precision, and durability, they are of great necessity to professional and amateur alike. Because diamonds are the hardest natural mineral, they can be abraded with or ground into a variety of hard materials without ever dulling or wearing down too quickly.
Following materials can be cut by a diamond blade:
These blades are versatile, but using the correct tools and machines —like a masonry saw, circular saw or tile saw— is crucial for achieving the best results.
Diamond blades don’t technically “cut” materials —they grind through them—. The embedded diamond particles induce a shearing effect which progressively wears material off. At SIMA we produce professional diamond blades by filling diamond segments into a highly-accurate steel core by the use of metal powders, iron, zinc, cobalt and tungsten etc. These blades are further cemented with a high-class resin to achieve rigidity and stability.
By performing this grinding operation to its fullest extent, not only has the risk to the user been minimized, but the blades themselves don’t have to create sharp teeth to cut through hard objects. For cutting granite with a circular saw or learning “how to cut stone with a saw?”, diamond blades are an essential part of your toolkit.
Yes, tiles can be cut with a circular saw, but you’ll need a high-quality diamond blade designed specifically for cutting tiles. It leads to a clean, undamaged cut without the material breaking up or cracking.
To cut tiles with a circular saw:
Also, do not apply too much force to the blade while cutting stone or tile. Have the saw’s motor take care of the job, providing clean, accurate and repeatable cuts all the time.
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