Masonry Magazine November 2006 Page. 18
Saws & Blades
Relearning the Basics
Masonry saws and blades have almost become victims of their own success. Since their performance has significantly improved and maintenance requirements have decreased over the last five years, contractors and employees are less inclined to follow basic maintenance protocols. Masonry saws and blades have almost become victims of their own success.
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Diamond blades have proven themselves so reliable over the years that masons take them for granted and don't inspect them, thinking they're always going to perform without fail, said Brian Delahaut, vice president and general manager for MK Diamond Products Inc. in Torrance, Calif., which sells more than one million diamond blades annually.
"Diamond blades, if used correctly, will perform like they're supposed to and provide a safe - extremely safe - tool," Delahaut said. "If used improperly and you don't inspect them, eventually there's going to be something that gives."
He advises masons to inspect their blades for fatigue cracks since a damaged section of blade can actually break loose, creating a hazard for the operator.
"A lot of the safety issue for blades is when they get fatigue cracks. That's when they can become dangerous," Delahaut said. "When you put the tool away, you look at it [the blade]. When you're ready to use it, look at it again. Cracks are very easy to see."
Being familiar with the saw and type of blade is also crucial, said N-E-D's Blais. "The most important thing is to know what type of equipment they have. Knowing the horsepower is very important," he said. "Also, what type of machine you have is important. A blade designed for dry cutting can usually be used for dry or wet cuts, but a blade designed for wet cutting can only be used for wet cutting."
Each type of masonry material requires a specific blade, run at a specified operating speed. Deviating from the manufacturer's specifications can wear out the blade prematurely and cause imperfect cuts.
"If a saw is not tuned up and it's bogged down, you don't get your true RPMs," Blais said. "If a blade runs too fast, it will glaze."
Basic maintenance procedures such as using the proper blade for the material hardness, ensuring the shaft bearings aren't worn, and keeping the saw head aligned allow for better equipment operation and increased safety, Delahaut said. "These are things the industry has forgotten."
Maintaining Saws
Saws are important tools on every masonry job site, so it's imperative that masons keep the machines running in peak condition for maximum efficiency and output. The good news is that new technologies have made maintenance easier and less frequent, said Mike Joynt, president of Mississippi Valley Stihl in Peoria, Ill., the Stihl distributor for northern Illinois and Iowa.
New machines run up to five times longer without maintenance than machines made just five years ago, he said. For example, it was almost a requirement that the air filter be cleaned with every tank of gas and, if it wasn't, the saw would run leaner and at a lower RPM. Today's