Diamond Blades – What’s the difference?
I’ll be tiling the backsplash of our kitchen counter with tumbled marble and glass accent tiles once accent tile shows up (due in on 3/24/07). The plan is to use my 4 1/2″ angle grinder with a continuous rim diamond blade for some (maybe all) of the cuts depending on how well it works.
My question is this. What is the difference between the various diamond blades available? Aall of these blades are rated for higher speed than my grinder produces.
Hilti is $35 at Home Depot
Bosch is $30 at Home Depot
Dewalt is $30 at Lowe’s
Hitachi is $19 at Lowe’s
Various off brands are available at HD, Lowes, and Menards for $15 or less.
Is there an appreciable difference between the Hitachi and Hilti that will produce a better cut? I don’t mind buying the more expensive blade if will be better than the lower cost item. What kind of life span can I expect out fo one of these blades? I appreciate the help.
Replies
Recommend rental of a wet saw or better yet, if you see yourself doing more tile later on, buy a used tile wet saw. A 41/2 inch angle grinder will handle the tile OK, cuts won't be all that great but they'll do. Your going to generate a lot of hazardous dust and your not going to be able to do the glass tile with it. Just my two cents!
If you insist on staying with the angle grinder, get yourself a half face dust mask with cartridge filters, not some half-azzed paper mask with those Mickey mouse rubber bands to hold it on. Oh yea, safety goggles and hearing protection(like sponge ear plugs) also.
You could get a basic wet cutting machine for $100 at HD or Lowes and have way more control on cutting the tiles.
Using the angle grinder will be rough and kick up so much dust you can't see what you're doing.
But to answer you, all of the brands are good, so you can take you pick.
Edited 3/5/2007 11:55 pm ET by USAnigel