Running a diamond blade inside its RPM range is one of the easiest ways to protect the blade, the slab and your saw. The table below lists the RPM ranges we recommend for each blade. Never exceed the maximum RPM marked on the blade or the rating of your saw.
| Blade | 14 in (350 mm) | 16 in (400 mm) | 18 in (450 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The King (Slim) | 2400-2800 | 2200-2700 | 2000-2400 |
| Safety Kut Silent | 2400-2800 | 2200-2600 | 2000-2400 |
| Safety Kut Slim | 2400-2800 | 2200-2700 | 2000-2400 |
| Performance Silent | 2400-2800 | 2200-2600 | - |
| One For All Silent | 2200-2600 | 2000-2400 | 1800-2200 |
| V-Array | 2000-2600 | 1800-2400 | 1600-2200 |
| Mastercut H2O Silent | 2000-2400 | 1800-2200 | - |
| The Queen (quartzite) | 1500-1800 | 1500-1800 | - |
Why the range changes with diameter
At the same RPM, a larger blade has a higher speed at the rim. That is why the 18 in range is lower than the 14 in range for the same blade. Always read the range for the exact diameter you are mounting.
Material changes the range too
Notice that our quartzite blade runs at lower speeds than our porcelain blades. Check the range for the blade and material you are cutting instead of using one speed for every job.
One exception: when cutting quartzite such as Cristallo, we recommend running The King at around 2000 RPM (around 1800 RPM with the 18 in blade), or as close to that as your machine allows, since some saws cannot reach 2000 and run at 1500. That is lower than the range in the table. Use that speed only for quartzite. For porcelain, stay inside the table.
RPM is only half of the setup
Three things matter most: the right RPM, plenty of water, and a table that is truly flat. The table plays a big part in avoiding breakage and vibration, so make sure it is really flat, not almost flat, before you blame the blade.
Feed rate and the way the blade enters and exits the slab matter just as much. Follow your saw manufacturer's guidance and enter the cut slowly. If you see vibration or chipping, check RPM first, then water flow, table flatness, blade condition and flanges. Our guide to chipping when cutting porcelain slabs goes through the rest of the checklist.
See all our bridge saw blades. Always wear protective equipment and follow your saw manufacturer's safety instructions.