Troubleshooting

Problem: The blade isn’t cutting

Causes:

• The blades Bond is too hard for material being cut or blade has become dull
• Machine drive belts need retightening or the machine has insufficient horsepower for the specification being used.
• In dry cutting, blades will become dull as a result of overheating.

Solution:

• Check that specification is correct for the material
• Check direction of rotation
• Dull blades can be sharpened by cutting a soft abrasive material
• For dry cutting, discontinue use and consult blade manufacturer

Problem: Cracks in the core

Causes:

• Excessive cutting pressure, caused by too high infeed, results in the blade core bending and flexing.
• Metal fatigue will eventually cause core to crack.
• Worn shafts, damaged machine bearings or an incorrectly mounted blade.
• Blade may be too hard for the material being cut.
• For wet cutting, inadequate water supply.
• For dry cutting, improper use of blades.

Solution:

• Use the correct blade with a softer bond.
• Saw operator should use steady, even infeed pressure and be careful not to twist or jam the blade in the cut.
• For wet cutting, use adequate water supply.
• For dry cutting, allow adequate airflow around blade to prevent overheating.

Problem: Damaged/out-of-round arbor hole

Cause:

• Blade will hammer if it is incorrectly aligned when mounted.
• The blade will spin or vibrate on the spindle if the flanges are not properly tightened.
• The blade will pound if the saw shaft is badly worn or grooved.

Solution:

• Make sure that the blade is mounted on the correct diameter spindle before tightening.
• Make sure that the pin holes slide over the drive pin.

Problem: Out-of-round blade

Cause:

• Blade shaft bearing may be worn or the blade is too hard for the material being cut, which will result in the blade hammering and wearing out of round.
• Machine spindle may have groove scored in it as result of previous blade slipping on spindle.

Solution:

• Fit new bearing and ensure regular lubrication.
• Choose a blade with a softer bond system.

Problem: Over heating

(the most common cause of blade failure). Overheating can cause many other problems such as core cracks, loss of tension and segment loss. Look for black or bluish discoloration on the core.

Causes:

• In wet cutting, there may be an inadequate water supply.
• In dry cutting, excessive cutting can result in heat build-up.

Solution:

• In wet cutting, make sure water tubes are not blocked or damaged and check that dust suppression systems are adequate for wet cut blades.
• In dry cutting, with hand-held machine, use gently reciprocating action and avoid cutting too deep in a single pass.

Problem: Rapid wear

Causes:

• Blade specification is causing the diamond to be over-exposed.
• An inadequate water supply can cause damaged or blocked water tubes.
• If the blade wears out of round this will increase the wear normally due to bad bearing, worn shaft or the blade specification being too hard for the material.
• Softening of the blade specification and low blade speed can be caused by loose drive belts.

Solution:

• Use a blade with a harder bond system.
• Make sure water supply is adequate.

Problem: Segment cracks

Cause:

• Blade specification may be too hard for the material being cut, causing hammering in the cut.

Solution:

• Use a blade with a softer bond system.

Problem: Segment loss

Causes:

• Blade has twisted or jammed in the cut because the material was not held firmly.
• Machine has been twisted or turned while blade is in the cut.
• Blade core has undercut due to cutting below the asphalt into the sub-base.
• Blade is too hard for the material being cut, resulting in the blade hammering in the cut.
• Blade is deflected in the cut due to the blade flanges being worn or deformed and failing to provide proper support. Inadequate water supply.

Solution:

• Use proper blade specification for the material being cut.
• Hold material or saw firmly when cutting. - Make sure saw is properly aligned to permit square cutting, and avoid twisting the blade in the cut.
• In wet cutting, make sure water supply is adequate on both sides of the blade and look for line blockages.
• If core is thin due to under cutting, wear-resistant cores and undercut protection is necessary.

Problem: Tension loss

Causes:

• Blade core overheated. - The blade is deviating in the cut because it is too hard for the application.
• Blade is being used on a misaligned saw.

Solution:

• Check alignment of saw.
• For wet cut blades ensure sufficient water supply.
• Check that machine is running at correct rpm, that the flanges are of the correct and same size, and that there is no wear on the machine bearing.
• Make sure the blade is not spinning on the spindle and that it is secure.
• Make sure that the blade is cutting in straight lines only.

Problem: Under cutting

Causes:

• Gradual abrasion of steel center due to highly abrasive fines generated during cutting
• Constant rubbing of the loose material causes premature wear and has no beneficial effect on the cut surface.

Solution:

• Make sure that the blade specification has offset segments to assist removal of the slurry from the cut.
• Make sure that the blade is not cutting below the asphalt into the sub-base.
• Make sure that the water supply is correct, since increased water flow will wash slurry from the contact area and reduce undercutting. This is especially important for deep cuts.

Problem: Uneven segment wear

Causes:

• Saw head is misaligned.
• Insufficient water supply, generally on one side of the blade

Solution:

• Align spindle or replace bad bearings.
• Make sure water flow is properly distributed.
• Check saw head for horizontal and vertical alignment.
• If cracks appear, the segment is too hard for the material being cut.

Problem: Blade wobbles

Causes:

• Blade is being run at improper operating speed (rpm)
• The blade core has overheated
• Unequal pressure on flanges.

Solution:

• Make sure spindle is running at the recommended speed of the blade.
• The core may be out of round from improper use of blade.
• If blade is dark blue/black at core/segment from overheating, contact manufacturer.
• Make sure flanges are identical in diameter and are the recommended size.

Problem: Short life

Causes:

• Using the incorrect blade on a specific material.
• For wet cutting, inadequate water supply.

Solution:

• Use the proper blade specification.
• For wet cutting, make lines and hoses are clean.