With the growing trend of large format tile and porcelain tile it is important to under- stand which tile blade and saw is best for the job. What size tile will determine what type of saw to use and the type of tile (i.e. ceramic, porcelain, etc.) will determine what blade to use. Most tile installers need to cut a variety of tiles ranging from ceramics to porcelains and even natural stones. These materials have a variety of differences that the opera- tor needs to understand when selecting the correct diamond blade for the job. Each diamond blade is designed to be used on a specific material or set of materials. For example, there are ceramic tile blades, porcelain tile blades, glass tile blades and much more. Diamond blades are manufactured using a synthetic diamond combined with a metal compound to form the matrix. This along with the actual bond of the matrix deter- mines what type of mate- rial it will cut optimally. There are a few fac- tors to consider when selecting a diamond blade: (1) Blade life, (2) Cutting speed, (3) what type of material is being cut and (4) level of finish desired. There are usually trade-offs when choosing between level of finish and cutting speed as well as blade life and cutting speed. Faster cut- ting blades are usually engineered with a wider-slot turbo rim or segmented rim. These blades cut fast but “tend to chip the material, which may be okay for a specific job.” There are also blades designed with a thinner kerf that tend to cut faster due to minimizing the heat and blade drag. Also, diamond blades with longer life usually have a harder bond that tends to cut a little slower than softer bonded blades. Most suppliers offer a wide range of blades to cut a variety of applications and they are usually indicated on the blade and/or pack- aging making it easy for the operator to select the right blade for the job. Lackmond Products offer a wide range of blades for every application needed. All Lackmond’s blades include the application(s) clearly marked on the blade label and the package making it easy for the consumer to make their decision. Selecting the right saw for the job is very important. If the job requires 24" x 24" tiles and the pattern is a diagonal pattern on the floor, then there are going to be a lot of diagonal cuts needed. A saw that can make a diagonal cut on a 24" x 24" would be ideal. With the growing number of hard porcelain tiles being installed, a saw with a durable motor (i.e. 13 Amp or more) is also important. Lackmond offers the first saw in its class that is capable of cutting a 24" x 24" tile on a diagonal and is engineered with a 15 amp motor. ADVERTORIAL –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Tile Saws and Tile Blades Important choices to make when selecting the right diamond blade and saw for the job 86 TileLetter | April 2017