Cutting Tools

Bridge Saw Blades and Small Diameter Grinder Blades

Cutting is the foundational step in stone fabrication—whether you’re slicing slabs or trimming under-mount sinks. Using the proper blade type with the right feed, RPM, and water flow can dramatically reduce chipping, tool wear, and finishing time.

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Bridge Saw Blades – Precision and Power at Scale

Bridge saw blades are intended for slabs and heavy-duty cutting.

• Segment Design: Patterned diamond segments give a cleaner cut and help reduce overheating.

• Silent Cores: Significantly lower vibration and noise, improving cut quality.

• Bond Hardness: Soft bonds for quartzite and engineered stone; harder bonds for marble.

Recommended Tools:

• BMF™ Quartzite Bridge Saw Blades – Engineered for maximum life on ultra-hard materials.

• Stinger™ BLACK V2 Bridge Saw Blades – Reliable performance across granite and engineered surfaces.

• Spider™ II Bridge Saw Blades – Designed for precision and noise control.

Pro Tip:
When cutting 3 cm quartzite, run at 60–70 in/min feed rate with at least 1.5 GPM coolant. Dress the blade every 10–15 cuts to maintain peak performance.

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Small Diameter (Angle Grinder) Blades – Flexibility for Cut-Offs and Detail Work

Small-diameter blades (typically 3″–6″) are used with angle grinders for cut-off work, flush cuts, or where a bridge saw isn’t practical. These are indispensable for sink notches, tile trimming, and field repairs.

Types to Consider:

• Turbo Blades: Continuous rim turbo blades offer fast cuts and clean finishes. The BMF™ Turbo Blade for Quartzite delivers high diamond exposure and friction reduction.

• Silent Core Turbo Blades: The Stinger™ Plus and Stinger Black™ turbo blades minimize vibration while delivering chip-free performance.

• Marble/Tiling Blades: Small-diameter marble blades have fine bonds and high diamond content to slice cleanly through fragile edges.

Best Use Cases:

• Flush cuts within cabinetry or sinks.

• Small cuts on porcelain, quartzite, or granite where larger blades won’t reach.

• Cleanup and detail work on slabs and remnants.

Pro Tip:
Ensure your blade fits your angle grinder’s arbor. Some blades (like Spider™ Turbo) are compatible with both 5/8″ and 7/8″ arbor systems using appropriate adapters.

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Blade Use Summary Table

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Need help selecting blade size and type for your use case? Contact our tooling experts or browse all small diameter blades.

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Coring Tools

Precision and Performance for Every Material

Core bits are essential for creating holes for faucets, sinks, and fixtures. But not all core bits are built the same. The type of material, drilling method, and jobsite setup all determine which bit will deliver the cleanest, fastest results.

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Why Wet vs. Dry Core Bits?

Wet Core Bits:

• Cooling and Lifespan: Water cools the diamond segments, prevents overheating, and extends tool life.

• Cut Quality: Wet drilling produces smoother, chip-free holes, especially on delicate surfaces like porcelain and marble.

• Ideal For: Shop setups, quartzite, porcelain panels, and high-volume drilling.

Dry Core Bits:

• Convenience: Perfect for job sites where water can’t be used or is inconvenient to manage.

• Heat Management: Dry bits are engineered with special bonds and ventilation slots to disperse heat, but they require short, pulsed drilling motions to prevent overheating.

• Ideal For: Field installations, small holes, and quick tasks on granite, engineered stone, or tile.

Pro Tip:
For ultra-compact materials like Dekton, wet drilling is always preferred to avoid thermal shock and chipping.

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Why Do Some Bits Have Different Segment Designs?

Continuous Rim Segments:

• Provide the cleanest holes with minimal edge chipping.

• Best for porcelain and thin tile.

Turbo or Serrated Segments:

• Offer faster drilling by increasing airflow and debris removal.

• Ideal for harder materials like granite or quartzite where speed is critical.

Vacuum Brazed or Electroplated Tips:

• Deliver aggressive, high-speed drilling.

• Commonly used for small-diameter dry bits in on-site work.

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How Wall Thickness Affects Drilling

Thin-Wall Core Bits:

• Faster drilling with less pressure.

• Reduce heat buildup and the risk of cracking thin materials.

• Perfect for porcelain panels, ultra-compact surfaces, and delicate stone.

Thicker-Wall Core Bits:

• More durable for repeated heavy use.

• Better for granite and quartzite where a thicker segment can handle the heat and pressure.

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Material-Specific Considerations

• Quartzite: Requires a soft-bond bit (like BMF™ wet bits) to cut without glazing. Always use water for cooling.

• Porcelain/Dekton: Thin-wall, continuous rim bits prevent chips and blowouts. Start at a slight angle and level out as the bit bites.

• Granite: Turbo-segment dry bits work well with controlled RPM and moderate pressure.

• Marble: Softer stone—requires a finer, continuous rim to prevent edge cracks.

• Engineered Stone: Heat-sensitive—dry bits can scorch resin, so use short pulses and light pressure.

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Pro Tips for Cleaner Holes

1. Start at an Angle: Begin drilling at about 10° to create a shallow guide groove, then straighten the bit.

2. Control RPM: Too high and the bit overheats; too low and the cut will be slow and uneven.

3. Back Out Regularly: Lift the bit every few seconds to clear dust and allow cooling.

4. Use Tape: Applying masking tape on the entry and exit points helps reduce edge chipping on fragile surfaces.

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Coring Tools Summary Table

 

Shaping Tools

Shaping Tools – Finger Bits, Zero Tolerance, and Milling Wheels

Shaping tools define the precision of your edges and cutouts.

• Finger Bits: For CNC and hand routers, designed for profiling.

• Zero Tolerance Wheels: Flatten and smooth sink cutouts.

• Milling Wheels: Remove large amounts of material quickly and efficiently, especially on CNC tables.

Recommended Tools:

• Finger Bits – For smooth, detailed edge profiling.

• Zero Tolerance Wheels – Resin-filled for reduced vibration.

Pro Tip:
Use a coarse wheel first for stock removal, then move to finer grits to minimize polishing time.

 

Polishing Tools

Finishing to Perfection

Polishing is the final step in stone fabrication, bringing out the natural beauty, depth, and shine of the surface. Choosing the correct pad system and sequence is crucial for achieving a consistent, swirl-free finish.

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The Difference Between 3-Step and 7-Step Polishing Pads

3-Step Pad System

• Designed For: Engineered stone, quartz, and jobs where speed is the priority.

• Process: Uses a combination of aggressive and fine grits compressed into three stages (typically coarse, medium, and polish).

• Advantages:

  • Cuts polishing time by more than half.

  • Reduces tool changeovers and labor costs.

  • Works especially well on engineered stone surfaces that don’t require deep refinement.

• Limitations:

  • May not achieve the same mirror-like finish on natural stones like granite or marble.

  • Less forgiving if you skip proper prep steps.

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7-Step Pad System

• Designed For: Natural stones like granite, quartzite, and marble.

• Process: Progresses through a wide range of grit levels (50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000).

• Advantages:

  • Achieves a deeper, high-gloss finish with better clarity and depth.

  • Provides more control over the surface refinement process.

  • Ideal for stones that show scratches or imperfections easily.

• Limitations:

  • Longer polishing time due to more steps.

  • Requires more frequent pad changes.

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Which System Should You Use?

• For Natural Stones (Granite, Marble, Quartzite): A 7-step system is best for achieving a true, mirror-like shine and long-lasting results.

• For Engineered Stone (Quartz): A 3-step system offers faster results without sacrificing finish quality on resin-based surfaces.

• For Mixed Jobs or On-Site Work: A combination of 3-step for quick jobs and 7-step for premium finishes can save time while ensuring quality.

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Recommended Pads

• Spider™ 7-Step Pads: High-gloss finish for natural stones, providing excellent color enhancement and clarity.

• Spider™ 3-Step Pads: Fast, efficient polishing for engineered stone with reduced labor time.

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Pro Tips for Polishing

• Keep pads clean during use—clogged pads can create swirl marks.

• Use light, consistent pressure; pressing too hard can burn the stone surface.

• Maintain proper water flow during wet polishing to prevent heat buildup.

• For quartzite, always finish with the final 3000-grit pass to bring out depth and shine.

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3-Step vs. 7-Step Polishing Pad Comparison Table