Plated Info

PLATED PRODUCTS

 Plated products are usually a single layer of diamonds highly concentrated and held on by a tough, durable nickel alloy.  This high concentration, usually about 140-150, enables plated products to remain their original shape and dimension throughout their working life.  Unlike the metal or resin bond impregnated products where the diamond particles are buried in the bond, the plated product allows the diamond particles to protrude from the surface and gives a freer, faster cutting action with minimum heat generation.

 MATERIALS

 Diamond Plated products can be used successfully on the following materials:

MANUFACTURES

 Diamond Plated products are used in the following industries:

RECOMMENDATIONS

CIRCULAR SAW BLADES

Whenever a circular saw becomes glazed or loaded with soft materials, such as uncured resins or fused dust, it can be easily cleaned.  The optimum cleaning method is to soak over night in Methyl Ethyl Ketone and use a wire brush.  When excessive loading and burning has occurred, a soft silicon carbide stick followed by a rubber or cretex abrasive stick, held against the rotating blades cutting edge will usually abrade away the fused materials.  When cutting or grinding material that is generally “Gummy” or does not cut freely it is suggested using a slotted blade and if possible using water to help wash away the excess dust to keep from loading and burning.

MOUNTED SAWS

All National Diamond mounted saws are of one-piece construction.  We do not braze, solder, or weld our shanks to the saw to prevent separation when in operation.  Mounted saws are manufactured continuous or slotted to aid in cooler operation.  These special design tools are normally used in hand trimming, grooving, slotting or I.D. grinding operations.  They are most efficiently used with air routers 1/2 to 1 horsepower rotating at approximately 15,000 RPM to 17,000 RPM.  Both sides of the cutting edge are plated with 1/8” return of diamonds, which allows for relief to prevent binding.  In many cases mounted saws can be recoated at a 20% savings, providing the old blank can be reused.

ROUTERS

When using a diamond-coated router, the cutting action does not depend on sharp edges of the tool, but on the abrasive action of the diamond grit.  Fiberglass plastics quickly dull the sharp edges of any router.  The proper method of removing stock with a diamond-coated router is where the maximum depth of cut is approximately one-third of its diameter.  This will allow the tool to get rid of the dust it creates as fast as it is generated.  To obtain maximum life out of the router you should never use it as a saw. 

Air hand tools as well as electric tools are suitable for all routers.  On routers from 1/4” to 2”, 20,000 RPM and 3/4 to 1 1/2 horsepower should be used to maintain proper speed under load and permit the diamond grit to scratch out the dust without undue pressure.  This will reduce the heat generated by the abrasive cutting action.  The high speed will also give you maximum life out of the router bit.

HOLE SAWS

National Diamond hole saws can be manufactured from a one-piece construction for precision core drilling.  We can also manufacture these from standard hole saws such as Starrett, Nickleson, Black & Decker, Miller Falls, Milwaukee, and Do All.  The teeth are removed and diamond is plated on the cutting surface.  On most materials the recommended speeds are as follows; 1/2” to 1 1/4” speed of 2100 RPM, 1 1/4” to 2” speeds 1500 to 1700 RPM, and 2” to 3” speeds of 1100 RPM should be used.  On 4 1/2” drill speeds 600 RPM is used, and on the larger than 4 1/2” speeds range from 250 to 400 RPM.  The slower speeds are being used as the materials hardness increases.  As in most other plated products, hole saws can be recoated at a 20% savings, provided the old blank can be reused.

Recoating or Reconditioning

After extended periods of hard usage and the cleaning process has to be done more frequently or excess pressure is needed to pass the tool through the material, it may become evident that the tool is simply worn out.  When this occurs, most plated tools can be returned to the factory for complete reconditioning and recoating.  This recoating process is done by removing all the old diamond and plating left on the blade and if need be re-worked before diamond is again applied to restore it to its new condition.  This recoating service is economically feasible in the fact that it is 20% less than the cost of a new blade.

For maximum value it is often not feasible to send only one blade in at a time.  Example: sending 1 #SB2U - 2” Saw Blade to be replated at a 20% discount comes out to $19.20.  New cost would be $24.00, giving you a savings of $4.80.  Weighing out the savings along with the cost of shipping the part to NDL to be replated might not be cost effective. 

* 20% DISCOUNT FOR STRIPPING & REPLATING *

Note:  With stripping and replating, the tool(s)

sent in must be in reusable condition.  Ask for more details.

Diamond Grit Information

RPM and SFPM Chart found in General Information