With so many different abrasives on the market, finding the most suitable one can be a minefield and contractors and DIYers alike are therefore looking to merchants and manufacturers to help them find the right diamond blade for each job. Here, Dom Waring, Specialist Markets Manager – Hire Machines and CP Engineering at Norton Clipper, Saint-Gobain Abrasives discusses how builders’ merchants can do just that.
One of the most prominent factors that lead to loss of time, money and resources whilst on site is the incorrect use of tools. This issue could be as simple as contractors using the wrong diamond blade on a material, which can soon lead to hours of lost time and expenses when replacing multiple blades.
As such, our absolute top advice for any merchants looking to point their customers in the right direction is simply “don’t be afraid to ask”. There can be endless variables that determine what type of product is ideally suited for specific applications, so if you’re ever unsure, there is always a Norton Clipper representative happy to talk these through.
Also remember to check a manufacturer’s website, as there will often be pages of information on which blade is best for which job and webpages may even feature product guides or demo videos.
Instead of guiding customers towards the cheapest all-rounder option or the same product for every job, firstly ensure you ask them some questions: “what quantity do they need to cut?”, “what materials will they be cutting?” and “what power tools or machines will they use to cut it with?” The answers will help determine which size and type of products are needed.
“What many tradespeople aren’t aware of however is the wide variety of diamond blades, which is where customers rely on the advice of the merchant. There are diamond blades available for almost every material and application, and using the right one can determine a job well done.”
Most contractors will be looking for the faster and longer-lasting performance found in diamond blades. Diamond blades offer a more comfortable and safer cut for the user thanks to reduced vibrations, which helps to decrease the effects of fatigue and the chances of getting white finger. But the main attraction to diamond blades is, of course, their unrivalled ability to work longer, faster, and achieve a better finish — helping contractors save both time and money on a job.
What many tradespeople aren’t aware of however is the wide variety of diamond blades, which is where customers rely on the advice of the merchant. There are diamond blades available for almost every material and application, and using the right one can determine a job well done.
Put simply, when using an incorrect diamond blade, the tools used must work harder to achieve the desired result, whilst the blade can prematurely wear and no longer cut effectively. It may even damage the material when cutting.
Norton Clipper has worked to ensure its stockists can help advise their customers on the best product for the job, all at a simple glance.
For example, the wide variety of products within Norton Clipper’s diamond blade range are tailored to specific materials and applications to guarantee maximum performance and merchants need to be able to quickly and easily identify the correct blade for a customer’s project.
Here, the Norton Clipper diamond blades and packaging are colour coded as follows, helping to determine which materials the blade is suitable for:
- Red — Concrete/Beton range, suitable for use on concrete and reinforced concrete;
- Blue — Universal range, suitable for use on a wide range of building materials, including roof tiles, pipes, bricks, block paving and kerbs;
- Black — Asphalt and Green Concrete range, suitable for use on asphalt and abrasive materials including asphalt over concrete, green concrete, bitumen, cement joints, breeze blocks and Lignacite blocks;
- Grey — Multimaterial range, one blade to tackle all materials, these blades can tackle anything from reinforced concrete to general building materials and even asphalt;
- Green — Ceramic range, suitable for use on ceramic and porcelain tiles;
- Turquoise — Granite and Pro Marmo range, ideal for use on granite, marble and stone;
- Orange — ZMD and RC range, designed to tackle refractory materials and refractory bricks easily.
The diamond blade range also offers a clear choice of product performance levels for every job requirement — Standard, Classic, Pro, and Extreme, helping stockists to recommend a product that suits the budget and level of performance and longevity that the customer requires.
Norton Clipper is also offering merchants a range of point of sale materials to help boost customer relations and product awareness, which will help provide upselling opportunities and boost merchant sales throughout the year. Kits include bus stop hanger cards with magnetic mounts, flyers, dispensers, and signage.
Click the followig link to see which Norton Clipper blades are best for which application, and for more details on the brand’s support package for merchants.
A version of this article appeared in the May edition of PBM. Click the link to read the full digital issue.
