The MK-30 is MK Diamond's combination masonry blade: a medium-hard matrix bond formulated to cut both brick and block rather than being optimized for one of them. That is the blade a masonry saw operator wants when the cut list changes material several times a day and stopping to swap blades costs more than the difference in blade life. This is the 20-inch Supreme grade blade on a 1-inch arbor.
Built for
- Masonry saws running a mixed cut list of brick and block on the same setup
- Small crews and rental fleets that cannot carry a dedicated blade for every material
- Block yards and brickyards cutting to length on a table saw
- Site work where the material on the pallet is not always what the drawing said it would be
Specifications
- MK Diamond part number 128678
- Series: MK-30
- Diameter: 20 inches (508 mm)
- Segment width (kerf): .142 inch
- Arbor: 1 inch
- Grade: Supreme
- Rim: segmented
- Cutting method: wet
- Bond: medium-hard matrix
- Material: brick and block
Matching the bond to the material
Diamond blade selection starts with bond hardness, not diameter. The metal matrix holding the diamonds has to erode at roughly the same rate the material dulls them. Erode too slowly and the blade glazes over and stops cutting; erode too fast and you throw away segment height you paid for. The working rule is that harder, denser material wants a softer bond, and softer or more abrasive material wants a harder bond. MK Diamond builds the masonry line around exactly that split: the MK-10 is a soft matrix for hard brick, the MK-50 is a hard matrix for abrasive concrete block, and the MK-30 sits between them as a medium-hard combination bond for crews that cut both.
Where this blade sits in the MK masonry line
MK Diamond groups its wet-cutting masonry blades by bond rather than by saw. The MK-10 is the soft-matrix blade for brick, including hard and dense brick. The MK-50 is the hard-matrix blade for concrete block, both precision and slump. The MK-30 is the medium-hard combination bond that cuts either one, trading some speed and some blade life for not having to change blades between materials. If your work is almost all one material, the dedicated blade is the cheaper blade per cut; if you move between brick and block on the same saw all day, the combination blade usually wins.
Operating notes
Run this blade wet. Water does two jobs on a segmented masonry blade: it clears the slurry out of the kerf so the segments keep biting, and it carries heat away from the steel core, which is what keeps a core from warping or losing tension. Feed at a steady, moderate rate and let the blade do the work. Forcing a segmented blade into dense material heats the core and rounds the leading edge of the segments rather than cutting faster. Never exceed the maximum operating speed marked on the blade, and check that the saw arbor, flanges and blade guard are in good condition before mounting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the MK-30, the MK-10 and the MK-50?
Bond hardness. The MK-10 is a soft matrix for brick, especially hard brick. The MK-50 is a hard matrix for concrete block, both precision and slump. The MK-30 is the medium-hard combination bond in between, which cuts both materials at the cost of some speed and some blade life compared with the dedicated blade.
Should I buy the combination blade or two dedicated blades?
It depends on how your day is organized. If the work is overwhelmingly one material, a dedicated blade gives more cuts per blade and a faster feed. If you switch materials constantly, the combination blade saves the changeover time and the cost of carrying two blades in inventory.
Is this a wet or dry blade?
Wet. Water clears the slurry from the kerf and carries heat out of the steel core, which is what keeps a core from warping or losing tension in production cutting.
What arbor does it take?
This part number is a 1 inch arbor, which is the standard arbor on masonry table saws in this size range.
What does Supreme grade mean?
Supreme is MK Diamond's top grade tier. Within a series the grade describes diamond concentration and quality rather than a different bond, so a Supreme blade is built to deliver more cuts before the segments are used up.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized MK Diamond dealer with US-based support. Our staff works with masonry, restoration and building-maintenance contractors every day, so if you are unsure which masonry blade is right for the material you are cutting, call or email us with the saw and the material and we will point you at the correct part number.
