Malia Powers, Author at U.S.SAWS

Choosing the Right Diamond Tooling and Polishing Pads

25-01-2023 - Featured

As the aesthetic value of concrete gains popularity, the need for specialized tools to achieve a brilliant shine increases. In order to maximize the quality of your work, having the proper tools is a must. For any grinding or polishing work, understanding the scope of your project will guide you to the right set of tools. Attaining that perfect finish requires knowledge of the type of grinding that will be done (wet or dry), the best grinder to use, and the material(s) that need to be finished. This guide will help ensure you are using the right tools to obtain the desired outcome for your project.

What is diamond tooling?

Diamond tooling is the process by which diamond “grit”, think heavy-duty sandpaper, is used to cut, grind, and drill a wide variety of surfaces. These are real diamonds, but not the ones found in fine jewelry. They are synthetic diamonds, grown in a lab, that are renowned for their abrasiveness. By using synthetic diamonds, manufacturers are able to control the size of the diamond bits used. The scope of the project controls the grain size of the diamonds. For challenging jobs, like grinding concrete flooring, larger bits of diamond are required. For polishing projects, it is best to go with smaller grains.

In order to grind and polish concrete, a sturdy, abrasive material is required. Diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth, scoring a 10 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it the perfect abrasive material for grinding and polishing projects. They are also thermal conductors. This allows the heat to transfer out of the diamond, extending the lifespan of the grinder or polisher by protecting it from overheating. Another benefit of using diamonds in tools is that they do not react with any chemicals that may be used in the grinding or polishing process.

Another consideration for your grinder or polisher is the number of segments your tool has. The options are single segment and double segment. While most medium to large projects will use a double segment for better performance on larger machines and for smoother finishes, single segments are optimal for smaller, lightweight machines.

Bonds

Bonds are essential to diamond tooling. The bonds are used to secure the diamond pieces to the tool. Not only are the bonds critical to holding the diamond pieces intact on the tool, but they also gradually wear down, allowing new bits of diamond to be exposed as the older diamond pieces become dull. Bonds may be metal or resin and are chosen based on the hardness of the concrete involved in the project. To understand how hard the concrete surface is, do a scratch test.

Soft metal bonds will create the best results for hard surfaces. Harder materials require more abrasive action. Soft bonds wear down faster, allowing new diamond bits to become exposed faster, maximizing the effect of the diamond tooling on the surface. Using soft bonds on hard materials will reduce any instances of glazing, where the abrasiveness of the tool melts and re-hardens as a smooth surface, rendering the tool ineffective. One great option for single-segment jobs is U.S. Saws’ Single Segment Fast Change – Soft Bond, which is a single-segment fast-change diamond grinding tooling for grinding machines. This tool saves time and money and increases production through its ease of use and fast change system. For larger jobs, U.S. Saws has the perfect double segment option, the Double Segment Fast Change – Soft Bond. Perfect for larger concrete finishing jobs that require a perfectly smooth surface, this tool reduces downtime and saves money while coming in a variety of grit sizes, including #16/20, #30/40, #60/80, and #120/150.

Medium metal bonds work in a wide variety of situations. These are a great idea if the hardness of the surface is undetermined. The issue with medium metal bonds is that soft materials will cause the bond to wear quickly, and hard materials will prove more difficult to cut. U.S. Saws offers an economic option for single-segment medium bond diamond tooling. The Single Segment Fast Change – Medium Bond diamond tooling makes grinding a breeze with the fast change benefit. Double-segment options are also available. The Double Segment Fast Change – Medium Bond is an excellent choice for those larger jobs where the hardness of the surface is unknown. Both the single segment and double segment come with a variety of grit options.

Hard metal bonds are resistant to softer materials, like asphalt, soft concrete, and rain-damaged concrete. They are ideal for use on projects that require adhesive removal. U.S. Saws offers the Single Segment Fast Change – Hard Bond product as a way for contractors to save time and money through the fast change system, making fast work of those soft material projects.

Diamond Polishing Pads

Polishing pads are integral to obtaining the perfect sheen on your project’s surface. Choosing the right polishing pad is dependent on the thickness of the pad, wet versus dry polishing, and type of surface. Polishing pads typically range in thickness from 2 millimeters to 8 millimeters. Thicker pads last longer but are prone to cupping. Pads that have been cupped do not wear evenly, many times causing the outer portion of the pad to not make contact with the surface, reducing the effective size of the polishing pad. Friction is always an issue with grinding and polishing. Wet polishing pads reduce heat caused by friction, which in turn allows for a higher degree of shine in the finished product. However, wet polishing pads can be messy. Dry polishing pads may see an increase in heat due to friction, but they are also designed to withstand higher levels of heat. While dry polishing pads also create a mess through dust, there are dust collection systems available that make fast work of any dust and debris. Understanding the surface material and the work environment will aid in choosing the right wet or dry polishing pad for your project.

U.S. Saws offers multiple options for all of your polishing pad requirements. The 5” Honeycomb Polishing Pad Pack is the perfect option for polishing granite and marble. This pack of dry pads includes multiple grits to get you through a wide range of polishing finishes. Lower-numbered grit is coarser, while higher-numbered grit is finer. This is ideal for hand-held grinders. For larger surface areas, U.S. Saws offers the 7” Honeycomb Polishing Pad Pack. This pack is for dry polishing and also contains a wide range of grits, from #50 to #3000.

The 5” Standard Concrete Polishing Pad Pack from U.S. Saws is the right option for smaller wet polishing concrete surfaces for a high gloss finish. U.S. Saws has a great option for larger concrete surface areas. The 7” Standard Concrete Polishing Pad Pack provides a wide variety of grit sizes that are ideal for wet polishing.

Contact U.S. SAWS today to locate the proper diamond tooling products for your project.

World of Concrete 2023!

11-01-2023 - Featured

The World of Concrete will be taking over Las Vegas Convention Center from January 16-19, 2023! This annual extravaganza of all things concrete will provide access to over 160 educational opportunities in the areas of technical, business, and safety development, including interactive workshops, industry certifications, and overviews of cutting-edge tech like 3D printing, fiber reinforcing, and mass concrete. The Women’s Association of Concrete Professionals, the FORGE Foundation, the National Association of Hispanic Contractors, Family Business Institute, AAC Worldwide, and Modern WorkTruck Solutions are also on board as new educators at this year’s convention providing insight on a variety of current events and updates in the area of concrete and its impact on business and society.

This convention also has its fair share of exciting events. A silent and live auction will be held on January 18, 2023. Items up for auction include not only equipment and supplies relevant to the concrete world, but also vacation packages and electronics like televisions and computers. This auction funds many Construction Industry Management programs at public universities across the country.

The Weatherington Award Presentation Competition will take place on January 16, 2023. This competition allows three students from each Construction Industry Management Program to make a presentation reflecting the individual student’s experiences in research activities and coursework and how those lessons learned will impact their careers in the concrete industry. The winner will receive recognition as the award winner and will also receive a $2,500 scholarship award.

One can’t-miss event is the 2023 Spec Mix Bricklayer 500 World Championship, taking place January 18, 2023. This lively event sees skilled masonry apprentices, block layers, and world-class brick layers go head to head to win bragging rights as the World’s Best Bricklayer. Also up for grabs for the winner who displays the perfect combination of skill, speed and stamina is a prize package worth over $125,000.

The best part of World of Concrete 2023 will be all of the exhibitors on display. This is a wonderful opportunity to network with concrete industry leaders from around the country to showcase products, generate valuable leads, and boost sales.

Make sure to stop by the U.S. SAWS booth. You will be able to find us at the South Hall, Booth S11307. We will also be doing demonstrations in the Silver Lot, Booth O31658 where you can see us in action with our Mark-III Dust Buggy, Ultra Vac 1250G, One Man Polymer Pump and MC-45.

Causes of Concrete Damage

17-08-2022 - Featured

When you enter a construction site and notice cracks and sunken areas, it can be stressful for everyone involved. Moisture problems, improper curing, and other outside influences can cause this to happen in most areas where concrete has been placed. If you are tasked with polishing concrete or maintenance, this previous damage can make the job more difficult and time-consuming.

If the floor is not thoroughly inspected, it can cause even more damage than is already there, especially if you cannot figure out what caused the cracks and sunken areas. There are numerous ways that concrete can be damaged, so it’s important to identify this damage early. Having the right knowledge and tools for such a task can help anyone perform the job at hand.

What Leads to Concrete Damage?

Improper Installation

When there is an abundant amount of moisture during the mixing and curing processes, this can be a main cause of improper concrete installation. This can be caused by the contractor being in a rush, or simply not being as qualified to do the job the correct way. Signs of incorrect installation can include spalling, blisters, and crazing which causes damage that needs to be fixed before you can continue with your main project.

Outdoor Elements

For concrete floors that are outdoors, these are going to be constantly affected by the elements we untimely can’t control at times. Natural causes such as wind, freeze-thaw occurrences, and rain can all cause damage to these concrete floors. The continuous freeze-thaw cycle that can occur slowly breaks down concrete, which causes the cracks you might see. Moisture is the primary cause for damage because its ability to freeze. The concrete expands and puts pressure on the material inside which the end result could cause major damage.

Corrosion

The biggest cause of concrete deterioration is corrosion. With the reinforced concrete floors, the steel bars that are inserted can become rusted. Even though most of the time the concrete offers its own layer of protection, chloride ions from salts can reach these bars through cracks in the concrete. Because this is a typical and reoccurring issue, having the concrete be maintained and installed correctly the first time is important.

How to Protect Your Concrete:

Although damage may be uncontrollable, proper maintenance can help prevent damage from getting worse over time. As mentioned earlier, proper installation can ensure that the concrete lasts, but a quality polish can also help prevent deterioration. Proper concrete grinding is a crucial step in making sure you have the most ideal concrete surface and getting rid of any unnecessary objects in the concrete. Before starting to work on the concrete, there should always be an inspection. If you find out about the quality and age of the floor, you will be able to better assess whether you need to fill only the cracks or replace everything completely

U.S. Saws is an innovator in the tool industry. Concrete requires the right knowledge and tools to get the job done the right way. Knowing what causes damages to these floors and how to maintain them is essential. As there are many factors to consider for your next concrete project, engaging with a company to help guide you will ensure your project is completed promptly in the right manner. Contact U.S. Saws today to find all of your concrete floor needs!

How to Diamond Grind a Concrete Floor

03-08-2022 - Uncategorized

Concrete floor grinding is used for removing old coatings, smoothing surfaces, and prepping concrete for epoxy. If you want the best results and want this process done as quickly as possible, diamond grinding should always be your number one choice for your next project. This is done by using diamond pads that open up the floor you are attending to and give you the proper surface you are looking for in the end.

Diamonds are hard materials that are able to implement more sustainable scratch patterns into concrete. If you need to grind away epoxy, mastic, or even paint, diamond pads can do this efficiently. Knowing how to use these pads and having the right equipment for the job can save you time and money for your next concrete flooring project.

Deciding the Correct Diamond Tooling:

Having the right concrete tooling is important before any concrete grinding is done. Depending on the type of concrete surface, different types of pads are needed. For softer concrete surfaces, you won’t need as an aggressive pad but one with finer grit. Harder surfaces require more aggressive grind with an abrasive grit. The 7″ POLISHING PAD #3000 GRIT is the perfect diamond pad that is high-quality and are able to expose aggregate in the concrete surface you’re working on. These lighter grit pads are great if you are wanting a more intense and polished surface as the end result.

Time to Get Started:

Diamond pads are important, but so is the grinder you are going to be using as well. The VSG-10 (Variable Speed Grinder) is an easy to use, concrete floor grinding and concrete floor polishing machine that will prep concrete surfaces in areas that cannot be accessed by larger equipment. This is an excellent choice for large and small projects. This grinder accepts different grinding plates and pads with a variety of bonds and grits to make sure you are able to use whatever fits your project needs the best.

When you have chosen your grinder, it is time to start the actual process. You want to begin with a slow forward motion, moving left and right slowly to keep the concrete level as you are grinding. When doing this, the steadier you are, the better so no sudden movements cause damage to the concrete. Once you have gone over the floor the first time with this process, make sure you vacuum at the end. This is essential to remove any dirt or debris from the concrete to prevent gouging. Having a dust collector such as the ULTRA VAC 1250 | DUST COLLECTOR, can help this process go more smoothly and save you valuable time at the end of the day.

U.S. Saws is an innovator in the tool industry. Diamond grinding is essential for all concrete flooring needs that will take your project to the next level. As there are many factors to consider in choosing the proper concrete pads for your project, engaging with a company to help guide you to the right knowledge and diamond grinding pads will ensure your project is completed promptly in the right manner. Contact U.S. Saws today to find the diamond grinding pads to meet your specific concrete needs.

Concrete Vacuums 101

20-07-2022 - Featured

Dust and debris are normal outcomes when cutting, polishing, and grinding during a project. Because of the abundance of dust, it can become time-consuming and difficult at times to clean it all up. You can use sweeping and dry brushing, but taking another hour to clean up is the last thing you want to do after a long day working on a project. If you want to save time and money, concrete vacuums are your number one choice. Normal vacuums you use around the house aren’t strong enough to handle concrete debris; you need a high-quality industrial vacuum. These are one of the most important tools in the construction business not just because it makes the job easier, but for worker safety as well.

Why Are They Important?

The saying “work smarter, not harder” comes into full effect when it comes to using concrete vacuums. You can spend an extra hour cleaning up alone after already spending eight hours on a tough project if you’re not using an industrial vacuum. These types of vacuums are great to clean up ultra-fine dust and powder after cutting. This is a crucial process because the dust particles can cause the floor you are working on to be slick without you even noticing. Debris and dust during a project causes it to be airborne as well. Without a concrete vacuum, this can cause these particles to get in your eyes and nose which can cause overwhelmingly health hazards.

Make Sure You Have the Right Vacuum:

Depending on the project you are working on, you need to make sure you have the right size to ensure safety and to make the project go as smooth as possible. There are four possible indicators that the vacuum you are using is too small:

1. You constantly have to empty it
2. There is dust still on the surface
3. When cutting, polishing, or grinding there is airborne dust
4. The filter is constantly clogged

Even though at times these vacuums can be pricy, it is worth spending more to ensure the safety of all workers present. Not only can improper vacuums cause damage to yourself, but to your tools as well. Grinding and cutting with layers of dust can damage your tools. The dust build up can lead to diamond tooling wear because of the abrasive nature of concrete dust. Having the right vacuum for the job will help you keep your tools working properly and save you money from having to spend money on new ones.

When looking for a concrete vacuum, make U.S Saws your number one choice. Our Ultra Vac 1250 Dust Collector is the perfect fit for any project. With its lightweight and durable foundation, this vacuum can handle any job small or large. Already have a vacuum but need parts? U.S. Saws has you covered! With adapters, hoses, and poly cams, we have what you need to make sure your vacuum is working efficiently and properly for your projects in the future.

U.S. Saws is an innovator in the tool industry. Concrete vacuums are a crucial tool that will take your project to the next level with safety and progression. As there are many factors to consider in choosing the proper vacuum for your project, engaging with a company to help guide you to the right vacuum will ensure your project is completed promptly in the right manner and as safe as possible. Contact U.S. Saws today to find the concrete vacuum that meets your specific needs.

Author: Malia Powers