Diamond precision in construction: types, equipment, and applications of blades

Modern construction is developing at a rapid pace, and with it grow the demands for precision, speed, and quality in material processing. Today it is impossible to imagine a construction site without diamond blades — a tool that has become an integral part of most installation, finishing, and demolition work.
Thanks to the unique properties of the diamond layer, these blades are capable of cutting the hardest and densest materials — from ceramics and granite to concrete and asphalt. For this reason, they are widely used both in interior finishing and in major repairs and reconstruction of buildings.
Diamond blades provide high performance, minimal wear, and precise cutting, making them a universal solution in both professional and domestic construction. In many cases, they are the only possible tool for performing specific technological operations where other types of consumables simply cannot cope.

Types of diamond blades
The classification of diamond blades is quite extensive, as they differ in dozens of parameters. Below are the main characteristics to consider when choosing.

Arbor hole diameter
The arbor hole is the central opening through which the blade is mounted on the tool spindle. The most common sizes are 20 mm, 22.23 mm, 25.4 mm, 30 mm, and others. The arbor size determines the compatibility of the blade with specific equipment. For standardization, adapter rings are used to mount a blade with a larger hole onto a spindle of smaller diameter. For example, a blade with a 30 mm hole (for a stone-cutting machine) can be installed on a tile cutter with a 25.4 mm spindle using an adapter ring.

Blade diameter
The outer diameter directly determines which equipment can use the diamond blade and what tasks it can perform. Each tool type (whether an angle grinder, tile cutter, or joint cutter) is designed to work with blades of a certain diameter range. For example, handheld grinders most often use blades of 100–230 mm, while stationary saws and cutters use large-format blades — 300–1600 mm and more.
Every machine is equipped with a protective guard that limits the maximum allowable blade diameter. If the blade does not fit under the guard or exceeds the dimensions specified by the manufacturer, its use is strictly prohibited by safety regulations. Exceeding the permissible diameter can lead to increased vibration, blade failure, and serious injury to the operator.

Diameter also affects:

• Maximum cutting depth (for example, a 125 mm blade cuts up to 35–40 mm, while a 230 mm blade cuts up to 65–70 mm);

• Linear cutting speed, which depends on spindle rotation frequency. Linear speed is a very important operational parameter for diamond blades. The optimal working speed for most blades is 80 m/s.

Cooling requirements
Blades are divided into:

• Dry-cutting — used without water;

• Wet-cutting — require cooling;

• Universal — can be used with or without water cooling.
  Violating the recommended mode can result in poorer cut quality and loss of cutting efficiency.

Type of diamond rim
Structurally, there are three main types:

• Continuous rim (crown) — provides the cleanest cut, used for wet cutting of facing materials;

• Segmented — used for rough work, especially when cutting concrete or asphalt; suitable for both dry and wet cutting;

• Turbo (corrugated) — an intermediate option between continuous and segmented, offering faster cutting with acceptable edge quality.

Material to be cut
Each diamond blade is designed for a specific type of material, and manufacturers always indicate this on the packaging or directly on the blade body. You may find designations such as Concrete, Granite, Ceramic, Asphalt, Universal, etc. — these labels show for which material the tool will work most efficiently.

Main material categories:

• Concrete and reinforced concrete — require blades with strong metal bonding and increased segment thickness to withstand contact with rebar;

• Brick, sandstone, aerated concrete — less dense materials, suitable for blades with softer bonding that ensure fast material removal and smooth cutting;

• Granite, marble, porcelain stoneware — hard and brittle stones that require blades with a high diamond concentration and precise edge geometry, often with turbo or continuous rims;

• Asphalt and abrasive materials — require blades with wider segment gaps for sludge and dust removal, and soft bonding to counteract abrasive wear;

• Universal blades — a compromise solution that allows working with different materials at moderate edge quality requirements but with a shorter service life.

Using a diamond blade for the wrong material leads to several problems:

• Accelerated wear and shorter tool life;

• Overheating and “glazing” of segments, causing the blade to stop cutting;

• Chips and cracks in the processed material;

• Increased load on the tool’s motor and vibration;

• Complete loss of cutting ability under prolonged incorrect use.

When choosing a blade, it is important to consider not only the type of material but also its structure and condition (reinforced concrete, dry or wet tile, fresh or old asphalt, etc.). Many renowned diamond tool manufacturers develop entire product lines tailored to specific tasks — from ultra-precise porcelain tile cutting to rough concrete demolition.
Thus, a properly selected blade is not just a matter of compatibility — it guarantees quality, safety, and cost efficiency.

Main operations using diamond blades
Diamond blades are used for a wide range of construction tasks. The most common include:

• Interior and facade finishing — precise trimming of tile, porcelain, marble, and granite for interior and exterior finishing;

• Demolition of walls, slabs, and foundations — accurate or rough cutting of concrete, reinforced concrete, and stone during reconstruction and repair;

• Grooving for wiring and utilities — creating channels in walls, floors, and ceilings for electrical wiring, pipes, and other systems;

• Cutting openings (windows, doors, technical passages) — forming holes of required dimensions in concrete, stone, and brick walls;

• Floor and coating renovation — removing old layers of concrete, tiles, or screed and preparing the base for new finishes;

• Creating expansion and deformation joints — cutting compensation lines in concrete and asphalt surfaces to prevent cracking;

• Cutting damaged road surfaces — removing damaged sections during road, sidewalk, or airfield repair;

• Facade and architectural restoration — precise cutting of natural stone, decorative panels, and stucco during restoration works;

• Fabricating construction elements — accurate cutting of slabs, blocks, bricks, and other materials to specified dimensions;

• Installing engineering systems — cutting holes for ventilation shafts, ducts, pipes, and cable channels;

• Cutting slabs and staircases — making straight or curved cuts without vibration or damage to the structure;

• Removing defects and irregularities — trimming protruding concrete parts, removing drips, and smoothing edges;

• Preparing samples and test pieces — cutting materials for laboratory testing and quality control.

Thus, the range of diamond blade applications covers nearly all stages of construction and renovation — from rough demolition and base preparation to final finishing and restoration. Thanks to their high precision and wear resistance, diamond blades remain an indispensable tool in every professional builder’s arsenal.

Equipment for diamond blades
The efficiency and quality of cutting depend not only on the blade itself but also on the equipment on which it is used. Different machine types have their own design features, operating modes, and diameter limitations. Choosing the right equipment determines processing accuracy, work speed, and operator safety.
The modern range includes both portable tools for small finishing tasks and industrial machines designed for deep concrete and stone cutting. Below are the main types of equipment used with diamond blades, along with their characteristics and applications.

Angle grinder
Purpose: a universal tool for construction and finishing work.
Mode: dry cutting.
Blade diameters: 100–230 mm.
Materials: concrete, tile, porcelain stoneware, granite, marble, brick.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 70 mm (with a 230 mm blade).
Features: compact, mobile, suitable for cutting, grinding, and material fitting on-site.

Tile cutter (manual or stationary)
Purpose: precise processing of facing materials.
Mode: wet cutting with water supply.
Blade diameters: 180–250 mm.
Materials: tile, granite, porcelain, marble.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 60 mm (depending on model).
Features: provides clean, chip-free cuts; used for finishing and tile fitting.

Stone cutting machine
Purpose: processing of hard construction materials and natural stone.
Mode: wet cutting with continuous water supply.
Blade diameters: 300–450 mm.
Materials: concrete, brick, paving stone, granite, sandstone, marble.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 180 mm.
Features: high precision, stability, and the ability to cut at an angle.

Gasoline and electric cutters
Purpose: rough and demolition work on construction sites.
Mode: dry or wet cutting.
Blade diameters: 300–450 mm.
Materials: concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 160 mm.
Features: autonomy (gasoline models), high productivity, used for road and installation work.

Wall chaser
Purpose: cutting channels (grooves) for wiring, pipes, and utilities.
Mode: dry cutting with dust extraction system.
Blade diameters: 125–230 mm.
Materials: concrete, brick, foam block.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 60 mm.
Features: operates with two parallel blades, adjustable groove width.

Joint cutter
Purpose: industrial equipment for cutting joints in concrete and asphalt surfaces.
Mode: mainly wet cutting.
Blade diameters: 350–1200 mm or more.
Materials: concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 500 mm.
Features: used for floors, roads, and airfields; equipped with a powerful engine and water cooling system.

Wall saw
Purpose: cutting walls, slabs, and other structures during reconstruction and demolition.
Mode: wet cutting with water feed.
Blade diameters: 600–1600 mm.
Materials: concrete, reinforced concrete, stone, brick.
Maximum cutting depth: up to 730 mm.
Features: provides smooth vertical and horizontal cuts without vibration; often remote-controlled.

Conclusion
Diamond cutting is one of the most important technologies in modern construction. The choice of the right blade and equipment directly affects the speed, precision, and safety of work. A properly selected diamond tool guarantees long service life, clean cuts, and high-quality results regardless of task complexity.