Tips for Dressing Your Diamond Blade

[@ophirdog]

Good video. I just watched a video where they hit the edge of the blade with a file to expose fresh diamond. There is no way I would do that to my blades, and see no need for it. I do the same as you have shown in this video, with an old metal grinding wheel. Not the silicon carbide lapidary wheels but wheels made for grinding metal. I think the one I'm using now is an Aluminium oxide wheel made for tool sharpening. This method has always worked for me.

[@CaptMike]

Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@carmenk4018]

I've got to say. Using a bustard file is substantially more effective than any dressing mtl. However, it does reduce the lifespan. But I suspect to a degree that's a consequence of the blade actually working properly. Haha.

[@clwl10202012]

Wow...what a great video Capt. I'm about ready to tile my master bath floor and shower. I purchased a Chicago 10" tile saw from HF and a 10" Dewalt XP4 blade. I started to look at 45 degree cuts in the shower around niche's and wondered how the hell those cuts looked so smooth and no chipping. A Google search led me to blade dressing and your video is one of the coolest I've seen. Any recommendations on blades is welcomed. Thanks again for taking time to help others.

[@CaptMike]

For cutting tile, any good blade is OK. It does not have to be thin kerf, just keep it dressed.

[@clwl10202012]

@@CaptMike Roger that....You mentioned getting the grinding wheel from Harbor freight. Do you have a link to them? Does it matter how coarse it is? thanks again!!

[@CaptMike]

@@clwl10202012 Does not matter about the coarseness. Find a used one if you can. You only have to run it thru the blade once. www.harborfreight.com/

[@clwl10202012]

@@CaptMike thank you sir

[@kirrbymichael1291]

I was wondering would this method work for the demo saw diamond blades? I have a 14in and it had glazed over the front tip of the cutting edge I thought it was ruined till.i got watching this video now I have hope that it will get life back into it considering its the same blade just bigger than your tile saw blad but the sake type of blade but I was just asking I'm new at this stuff thanks for your time. Love the vid.

[@CaptMike]

I have dressed diamond blades from 6 to 18 inches usi9ng this method. Hope it works out for you . Thanks for watching and comenting.

[@manisteerocks7092]

Great tip!..I'm getting into lapidary work pretty seriously... although I'm novice, I'm investing some serious money in equipment..I'm going to purchase a cab King (6") wheels..how long will diamond wheels last and can I dress those like I'll dress my rock saw blade?..any info would be appreciated

[@treslongwell1332]

I have the Felkner Federl mogul TM-1 and a Rigid 10" glass blade (not real expensive) Got chipping problem. The shaft seems to not wobble but even new blades seem to wobble or chatter. Do I need to replace the shaft and bearings? Haven't tried the dressing yet. Cutting bottles.

[@danielkarczewski2467]

I checked with Harbor freight, did not see any grinding stones/wheels. Where else could I buy grinding wheel/stones. Thank You.

[@CaptMike]

I get mine from a local blacksmith, but you should be able to purchase grinding wheels with no problem. Start here at Harbor Freight and go from there. www.harborfreight.com/search?q=bendh%20grinder%20wheels

[@danielkarczewski2467]

@@CaptMike Does it matter what grit the grinding stone is ?

[@chriscorpora1716]

Capt Mike the only grinding wheels I can find in my area that I can get my hands on for the weekend( I am doing a tile job) is made of Aluminum Oxide, will that do or does it have to be carborundum? Thank you

[@CaptMike]

I hav always used diamond pads and such, but either will grind glass if you use losts of water and a light touch. The courser grits will chip the glass if you are not careful. Do not "Hog" off any excess glass unless it is necessary. Go slow with the finest grit you can get away with and lubericate.

[@chriscorpora1716]

@@CaptMike Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. Im sorry I should have been more specific, I want to dress my blade for cutting Porcelain tile. I am seeing 60-80 grit wheels. That is all Harbor Freight offers at least where I live.

[@CaptMike]

@@chriscorpora1716 I'm pretty sure that will be OK. A diamond blade will cut just about anything except metal and with the right lubericant they will probably do that. Maybe someone will jump in and help us out!

[@bearup1612]

What are the grinding stones made of ? Is it carborundum ?

[@CaptMike]

Yes, that is what the ones I have are made from. Any type of grinding stone will work though. I think the original abraders were probably sandstone or something like that.

[@bearup1612]

@@CaptMike Thanks Mate much appreciated

[@80T]

Hey Mike, thanks for the great information! I just bought a Kobalt 10" tile saw to cut Agates and rocks. In your opinion would this work well? I also seen on another channel to run a brick through first before using it for rocks/work dresses the blade and keeps it new? Basically using the brick for a dressing stone, I'm wondering do I need to do anything to the blade brand new or just start cutting into an Agate??

[@CaptMike]

The blade should cut fine out of the box. What happens is a glaze forms on the diamonds and the grinder wheel or brick removes the glaze and dresses the blade. Thanks for watching my video!

[@80T]

@@CaptMike Awesome, I understand now. Thanks again and you're welcome

[@chriscox52282]

Ever tried pinging the rock saw blade with the narrow edge of a large bastard file? Tried it recentlyand will never redress any other way.

[@electrichellion5946]

Christopher Cox - I’ve heard of it but have not seen how it is done. Tried it on and old bent blade of mine but am not sure if I managed to do it correctly. Care to post a video of how it’s done and tag me in it? Thanks.

[@lisamiller6794]

Capt Mike can I use this on my Taurus 3 saw ? The Blades are very expensive , an they don't last very long. I only use it for the extra curvy patterns that are impossible to cut with a glass cutter.. thanks for sharing❤️

[@CaptMike]

Lisa is this a ring saw? I have one from another maker and you are right the blades/rings are expensive. I would think that dressing your ring/blade this way would be fine, just don't apply much pressure and don't cut into the abrasive material very far. I will try it on my ring saw and let you know how it works.

[@MandyWoodArtist]

Great Mike, did you get a fine blade for the small tile cutter ? I have been looking for one on the net and not found one. I would like to cut bottles more accurately without great chips coming off ,which is the result of the current tile cutting blade on my tile saw.

[@CaptMike]

Mandy, I got mine from Susan McGarry at artifill.com. I have not tried it on bottles yet, so don't know if it will chip.. I still use my old bottle cutter, ice cold the hot water to dissemble my bottles.

[@samuelkatherinediozarago7692]

Fingers to close to blade?Respect thou. Good video.

[@CaptMike]

Thanks for the concern. I take more chances with diamond blades as they don't have a real agressive edge. Should be careful just the same.

[@roosevelt3311]

What kind of blade would you recommend for agate or harder stuff?

[@CaptMike]

Any good diamond blade will be fine. What is important is the liquid the blade runs in. It not only lubricates, but keeps the blade cool and washes away debris. If yu use water you will have to go slow. Check with a website that specializes in working hard stone. or making jewelry. I have an 18" saw that I used for cutting slabs for flint knapping. It runs in an oil bath. My smaller tile saws run in water.

[@roosevelt3311]

@@CaptMike is there much difference in a lapidary saw blade and a wet tile saw blade other than thickness? Can I use a lapidary saw blade on a tile cutter machine?

[@CaptMike]

@@roosevelt3311 The only difference is the thickness (kerf) and quality of the diamond bonding. Yes, you can use and diamond blade on a tile saw as long as the arbor holes are correct. I have both a 6" tile saw and a 10" tile saw. I use a thin kerf on the 6" and a regular kerf on the 10" The 10" is more aggressive, so it depends on what you are after.

[@roosevelt3311]

@@CaptMike Thank you for the advice and tips. I'm getting serious about lapidary and trying to learn as much as I can.

[@SimpLeeBeth]

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