Why Are There So Many Diamond Blades On the Market?
As you shop for diamond blades, you no doubt see that the selection is very large and diverse. A single online shop offers dozens, if not hundreds of different diamond blades. Why are ther so many diamond blades on the market these days? In this post, we will explore some of the reasons and look at examples.
A Long List of Variables
Going online and buying the first diamond blade you see is probably not something you do. After all, that would be a blind gamble that would not be supported by favorable odds. Yet, it can be very tempting to buy a diamond blade because the price is low. Yet that too is just as risky in many cases.
In reality, the price of a diamond blade is only one variable in a list of elements that can impact the performance of a given blade in a specific situation. There are many factors that affect a blade’s value. However, let’s consider a few of them specifically.
Wet or Dry Environment
Usage environment impacts which blades are used. Fabricators working in fabrication shops performing wet cutting have different requirements than do professionals in dry shops. Hence, different blades must be available for pros cutting in wet environments.
Materials Being Cut
Another factor that affects blade specifications is which materials are being cut. Fabricators that work with a large number of quartzite slabs will have to have a blade that is designed for cutting natural stone. On the other hand a fab shop that primarily works with porcelain surfaces will need to have different blades.
Even within a category of natural or man made materials there will be variations in blade requirements. For example, natural granite is a harder stone than marble is. Even though both materials are natural stone, a shop that work with a lot of granite will need to have diamond blades that are made to cut the harder stone. And there are other factors to consider as well, but you get the idea.
Production Rate
Sometimes the higher priced blade may not be the best option. For example, high volume fabrication shops might focus on the cost of cutting each linear foot of stone. So a diamond blade that is half the price of another blade that lasts 60-70% as long might be a better option. Since the cost of 2 blades yields 120-140% of cutting, a shop that has a high volume can save quite a bit just by using a blade that does not last as long as a higher priced blade. It’s all about the variables.
Price
The last factor that we are going to consider in our consideration of why there are so many blades on the market is the obvious one. You guessed it, pricing.
The price of diamond blades plays a role in the variety that are available too. As we mentioned, some very high volume shops make good use of lower priced blades. Yet, there are also smaller shops with lower budgets to which these lower priced blades appeal as well.
In the end there are a number of factors that will influence your choice of diamond blades. Each professional will need to take into consideration not only the environment and materials that will be processed and fabricated, but also the volume and budget that the production will survive on. Having these factors and others well in mind when purchasing diamond blades for natural and engineered stone fabrication is what drives the diverse selection of blades that are currently out there for purchase.