Diamond blade Training - Gauteng

Objective: 

To provide participants with a strong understanding of diamond blade construction, material suitability, cutting techniques, safety practices, troubleshooting, and customer guidance—enabling them to confidently recommend and use diamond blades in professional applications.

Modules:

1. Introduction to Diamond Blades:
   • What diamond blades are and how they differ from abrasive blades.
     
   • Overview of applications: construction, tiling, masonry, plumbing, renovation, landscaping.
   • Benefits of diamond technology: faster cutting, longer life, cleaner edges.
     
2. Diamond Blade Construction: 
   Training covers each critical component:
   • Steel Core – precision-cut, tensioned body for stability.
   • Diamond Segments – synthetic diamonds bonded with metal powders.
   • Bond (Matrix) – controls how quickly diamonds are exposed during cutting.
   • Gullets – space for debris removal and cooling.
   • Segment Types – segmented, turbo, continuous rim.
     
3. Segment Types & Their Applications: 
   Understanding the uses of each diamond blade design:
   • Segmented Rim
   • Fast cutting, aggressive.
   • Ideal for concrete, brick, pavers.
   • Best for dry cutting with airflow cooling.
     
   • Turbo Rim
   • Mix of speed and cleaner finish.
   • Suitable for stone, masonry, and some tiles.
   • Improved airflow and chip removal.
   • Continuous Rim
   • Smoothest finish, minimal chipping.
   • Designed for wet cutting.
   • Ideal for ceramics, porcelain, marble, granite.
   • Vacuum-Brazed / Electroplated Blades
     
   • Excellent for speciality materials (fibreglass, plastics, metals).
   • Very fast, aggressive initial cutting.
4. Bond Hardness Explained:
   • Soft bond → cuts hard materials (e.g., porcelain, granite).
     
   • Hard bond → cuts soft abrasive materials (e.g., asphalt, sandstone).
     
   • Choosing the wrong bond leads to rapid wear or glazing.
5. Material-Specific Blade Selection: 
   Participants learn to match blades to materials:
   
   • Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles → continuous rim.
     
   • Granite, Marble, Natural Stone → turbo or continuous rim.
   • Concrete (green, cured, reinforced) → segmented turbo.
   • Bricks & Pavers → segmented.
   • Asphalt → very soft bond blades with deep gullets.
   • Metal / Multi-material → vacuum-brazed blades.
     
6. Dry vs. Wet Cutting:
   • Dry cutting:
     • Used with segmented/turbo rims.
     • Requires intermittent cutting to prevent overheating.
     • Not ideal for delicate materials that chip easily.
       
   • Wet cutting:
     • Required for continuous rim tile blades.
     • Reduces dust, heat, and blade wear.
     • Essential for porcelain and glass.
7. Understanding Blade Diameter & Arbour
   • Matching blade size to machine capacity (115mm, 125mm, 230mm, 300mm, etc.).
     
   • Ensuring correct arbor size (22.23mm, 25.4mm, etc.).
     
   • RPM limits—never exceed blade speed rating.
     
8. Safety Training:
   • Inspecting the blade for cracks, missing segments, or warping.
     
   • Install the blade in the correct rotation direction.
     
   • Using proper PPE: eye, ear, dust, and hand protection.
   • Ensuring machine guards are in place.
   • Avoid side pressure or twisting during cuts.
   • Allow the blade to reach full speed before cutting.
     
9. Cutting Techniques & Best Practices: 
   Participants learn how to maximise blade performance:
   • Let the blade do the work—avoid excessive pressure.
   • Use score-cutting on tiles to prevent chipping.
     
   • Allow cooling pauses during dry cuts.
   • Maintaining a consistent feed rate.
   • Proper support of the workpiece to avoid binding.
     
10. Troubleshooting Common Issues: 
    Training includes diagnosis and corrective action:
    • Blade Wearing Too Fast:
      • Wrong bond hardness.
        
      • Too much pressure.
        
      • Cutting overly abrasive material.
        
    • Glazing (Blade Won’t Cut)
      • Bond too hard for the material.
        
      • Remedy: sharpen the blade using a soft abrasive block or sandstone.
        
    • Chipping
      • Wrong blade type.
      • Cutting too fast.
      • Not using water when required.
        
    • Overheating / Warping
      • Insufficient cooling.
        
      • Incorrect RPM or feed rate.
        
11. Sales & Customer Guidance: 
    Equip sales teams with practical knowledge:
    • Identify the customer’s material FIRST.
      
    • Establish whether cutting will be wet or dry.
    • Recommend the right bond hardness and rim type.
    • Explain why premium blades save time and money.
    • Provide usage tips to extend blade life.
12. Hands-On Demonstration (Optional)
    • Cutting sessions on tile, concrete, and masonry.
    • Technique practice (straight cuts, plunge cuts).
      
    • Observing material-specific blade behaviour.
      
13. Certification: 
    Participants can receive a Diamond Blade Product Specialist Certificate, demonstrating:
    • Ability to match blade to material.
    • Understanding of wet vs dry cutting.
    • Safe operation and troubleshooting knowledge.
      

Outcome: 

After completing the training, participants will:

• Understand diamond blade technology and performance factors.
• Recommend the correct blade for any material or machine.
• Operate and maintain diamond blades safely and effectively.
• Troubleshoot issues confidently and advise customers with authority.
• Increase professional credibility and improve customer satisfaction.