Blade Dressing Guide — Restoring Cutting Performance

Blade Dressing Guide: How to Expose New Diamonds & Restore Cutting Speed

Over time, a diamond blade can “glaze”—a condition where metal bond material smooths over the diamonds, reducing cutting speed. Dressing restores performance by removing a thin surface layer and exposing fresh diamonds.

This guide explains when to dress a blade, how to do it safely, and what materials can be used as dressing blocks.

What Is Blade Dressing?

Blade dressing removes worn metal from the segment surface so new diamonds can emerge. A properly dressed blade cuts cleaner, stays cooler, and performs longer.

Common signs a blade needs dressing:

• Slow cutting
• Excessive vibration
• Sparks during cutting
• Shiny, smooth segment faces
• Material burning instead of grinding

When Should You Dress a Blade?

Dress a blade when:

• Cutting cured concrete and speed drops
• Switching from hard to soft material
• The blade glazes from overheating
• A dry blade cools unevenly
• Storage or rust reduces diamond exposure

How to Dress a Diamond Blade

Best Dressing Materials:

• Specialty blade dressing stone
• Soft concrete block
• Abrasive cinder block
• Lightweight sandstone
• Professional Dressing Steps:
• Mount the blade securely
• Run the saw at normal RPM
• Make repeated shallow passes through the dressing material
• Continue until diamond edges reappear
• Inspect segment surface before returning to hard cutting
• Never force the blade during dressing—let the abrasive material do the work.

 

Safety Notes for Blade Dressing

1. Wear eye protection and a respirator
2. Keep hands clear of the cutting path
3. Use stable, non-slippery footing
4. Ensure dressing block is on solid ground

Troubleshooting Dressing Issues
Blade still cuts slow after dressing

1. Bond hardness mismatch → Switch to softer bond blade
2. Blade heats quickly during re-use
3. Core partially warped → Replace the blade
4. Segments have uneven wear
5. Saw misalignment or inconsistent pressure → Correct saw setup

Blade Dressing Guide (PDF)