With so many grinder tooling options available, choosing the right one for your project can feel overwhelming. The key to getting the best results and maximising your return on investment is to ask the right questions before you start grinding.
Taking a thoughtful approach to diamond tooling selection will save time, reduce wear on your grinder, and deliver a better surface finish. Here are the factors to consider.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
1. What type of grinder are you using?
Whether you’re working with a compact walk-behind or a heavy-duty planetary grinder, the weight, RPM, and design of your machine will affect which tooling works best. Each grinder is built for specific shoe shapes, and the head pressure from the machine weight determines how each segment performs.
2. How big is the job?
The size of the project, along with machine weight and concrete hardness, will determine how quickly diamonds wear down. For larger jobs, it often makes sense to invest in premium tooling that delivers consistent performance and lasts longer.
3. What finish do you need?
If a high-gloss polished concrete finish is the goal, avoid aggressive segments that can mark or gouge the surface. Instead, use finer-grit diamonds and tooling designed to reduce scratch patterns.
4. How hard is the concrete?
Concrete hardness plays a major role in tooling selection. The general rule is:
- Hard concrete = soft bond tooling
- Soft concrete = hard bond tooling
Not sure how to test hardness? There are simple scratch tests and videos that can help.
5. Was a curing agent applied?
If the slab was treated with curing agents, you’ll need tooling that can open the surface effectively. Segments with more bite, such as V-style or Rapida designs, work well for breaking through dense caps.
6. Is there a coating on the slab?
It’s not always obvious what type of coating you’re dealing with until removal starts. Having a selection of removal tools—like PCDs or arrow-shaped segments—lets you test and adapt on site.
7. What matters most: speed, finish, or cost?
There’s no single right answer. Aggressive tooling delivers speed, finer segments give a better finish, and budget-friendly tooling can keep costs down. Choose the balance that suits your project.
Always Bring Options
Turning up with just one type of diamond tooling limits your flexibility. Once you’ve asked the questions above, you’ll have a good idea of what you need—but conditions can change. Bringing a selection of segment shapes and bond types means you’re prepared for whatever the site throws at you.
Learn More
Not sure which tooling is right for your grinder? Our experts can help you match tooling to your machine, job size, and surface requirements—so you get the best results every time.