In the glass Industry dressing sticks are of vital importance when prolonging the life of diamond tools. These small abrasive sticks - comprised of aluminium oxide - help re-expose the diamonds within your glass core drill or peripheral wheel.

Redressing the tool does not involve the sharpening of the diamonds themselves but rather the removal of the metal bond between them. The diamonds within the tool are not typically what wear out. What actually happens is the sharp edges of the diamond round due to use. Ideally, by using a dressing stone the rounded diamonds break out of the bond exposing new ‘sharper’ diamonds to continue grinding/cutting.

There are many reasons why a tool becomes blunt. These include: inferior tool quality, insufficient cooling, spindle vibrations, incorrect grinding/ drilling speeds and increased pressure on the tools. These factors cause the metal bond to wear slower than necessary, resulting in the tool becoming blunt.

To re-sharpen the tool, you will need to use a suitable dressing stick or dressing stone. These will allow you to wear away the metal bond of your tool and expose newer, sharper diamonds. By doing this, you also prolong the life of your tool as it prevents excess pressure being put on the tool to perform at the same capacity.

It is usually best to soak dressing sticks in water (for up to 24 hours) before using them. Using a wet dressing stick allows for better dust control and will ensure that the dressing stick lasts longer.

Diamond Products has partnered with our long-time tooling supplier ADI, to provide quality dressing tools at the right price.

Should you be interested in or need further information regarding dressing sticks, kindly contact Ross on 083 290 2259 or Darryl (Western Cape) on 083 259 2255. Alternatively, you can contact our offices on 0861 75 75 75.