Cutting asphalt is different from cutting concrete and requires a special type of blade. Choosing the wrong blade could result in your project taking longer or failing completely. To ensure you get the best asphalt blades, there are a few things to consider. Find out which type of blade works best for asphalt. Plus, find out why you should avoid using concrete blades when cutting asphalt. 

Why Choose Asphalt Blades over Concrete Blades?

Asphalt is a soft and very abrasive surface compared to concrete. An abrasive surface requires a very hard bond to wear and expose diamonds at the proper rate. However, concrete and brick are much harder materials. These harder materials need a softer bond since the material is less abrasive. The best asphalt blades will use a hard bond to achieve a cleaner cut. This hard bond also helps release the debris. 

Choosing to use a softer bonded blade results in the blade wearing out or overheating. When you use a concrete or block blade to cut asphalt, the diamond will not expose fast enough. When the diamond isn’t exposed fast enough, the blade will stop cutting. 

Best Asphalt Blades for Your Machinery

There are two types of asphalt blades to consider, low-HP and high-HP. Your blade selection depends on the type of project you’re working on. It will also depend on the horsepower of the machinery you’re using. 

  • Low HP: Low-HP diamond asphalt blades work in low-HP walk-behind saws. Low-HP saws usually have between 13 to 35 horsepower. These saws work best for residential projects and projects requiring short cuts. They’re also used in projects that need an easy to transport saw rather than a powerhouse. If your project uses a low horsepower saw and you’re making short cuts, opt for a low-HP diamond blade. 
  • High HP:  Projects that need more power, deeper or longer cuts use high-HP walk-behind saws. These machines usually have 35HP or more. These saws are capable of making much longer, sustained cuts. Because of their increased power, they’re also capable of making much deeper cuts. For these machines, we recommend using a high-HP diamond asphalt blade.

Asphalt cutting blades are also used for both wet and dry cutting. Dry cutting uses a softer bond than wet cutting. When wet cutting, the blade needs water to cool and lubricate while cutting. So make sure to double-check which type of blade you’re purchasing.

Only Use Blades from Trusted Manufacturers

When choosing tools for your project, it’s essential to consider quality over cost. The cheapest deal could end up causing expensive problems down the line. Low-cost blades may not be tested for long term use and are prone to failure. Having to repeatedly change blades during a project not only costs you time but costs you money. 

Cost Cutting Blades provides asphalt blades with the ideal bond to improve cutting speed and performance. We believe you deserve the right blades that are up to the task. If we haven’t seen the blade in action, we won’t sell it. Check out our entire selection of asphalt cutting blades, or contact us today for advice on your next project.