In the tile world, every cut counts. Whether you’re drilling porcelain panels, shaping stone mosaics, or dry-cutting on site, the performance of your diamond tool determines your speed, finish, and profit.

But not all diamond tools are created equal — and it usually comes down to how those diamonds are bonded to the metal.

Today we’re breaking down the two major players: sintered diamond technology and vacuum brazed diamond technology — what they mean, how they’re made, and when to choose each for your tile work.

What Is Sintered Diamond Technology?

Sintered diamond tools are made by mixing diamond grit with proprietary metal powders, then pressing and heating (sintering) it into a solid form.

Think of it as diamonds baked into metal — the grit is distributed throughout the entire segment, not just bonded to the surface.  The harder the metal powder, the longer it takes to expose new diamonds yet the longer the life.  The softer the metal powder, the faster it takes to expose new diamond thus the shorter the life.

When you use the tool, the top layer of metal wears away, exposing fresh diamond particles underneath. That means the tool keeps cutting consistently over time.

Pros of Sintered Tools

• Long life span: As diamonds wear down, new ones are continuously exposed.

• Ideal for porcelain, granite, and hard ceramic tile: Handles tough materials without glazing over.

• Cooler, smoother cutting: Especially when paired with water.

• Re-sharpenable: Can often be dressed or reconditioned for extended use with aluminum oxide dressing stones such as the Helix Diamond Dressing Stone.

When to Use Sintered Tools

Sintered blades and bits are perfect for:

• Continuous tile saw cutting

• Wet or Dry drilling through porcelain, granite, or marble

• Jobs where longevity and precision matter more than speed

• Professional installers that value long life diamond tools rather over disposable diamond tools

Common examples: Continuous rim wet tile blades, large diameter as well as grinder sized turbo blades, and some core bits for drilling porcelain and stone.

What Is Vacuum Brazed Diamond Technology?

Vacuum brazed diamond tools are made differently — instead of mixing the diamond into the metal, the diamonds are fused onto the surface of the tool’s steel body using a high-temperature vacuum brazing process.

This creates a single layer of exposed diamond grit that’s held firmly in place with metal bonding.

Because every diamond is sitting right on the surface, vacuum brazed tools are extremely aggressive right out of the box.

🔹 Pros of Vacuum Brazed Tools

• Fast, aggressive cutting: Perfect for shaping, grinding, and rough cutting.

• Dry or wet capable: No need for constant water feed in many applications.

• No break-in period: Ready to bite immediately.

• Excellent for aggressive shaping and profiling: Great for cutting curves, trimming, or removing material quickly.

When to Use Vacuum Brazed Tools

Vacuum brazed tools shine when:

• You need speed over longevity

• You’re cutting porcelain panels, mosaics, or natural stone edges

• You’re using an angle grinder for quick notches or outlet cuts

• You’re shaping, profiling or grinding — not making hundreds of straight cuts

Common examples: Brazed core bits, grinding wheels, profile wheels, and rescue blades.

Sintered vs. Vacuum Brazed — Quick Comparison

Real-World Tile Applications

If you’re cutting hard porcelain every week:
Go sintered — you’ll get cooler operation, less chipping, and much longer life. Pair it with a steady water feed and a guide system like HydroTail for pro grade results.

If you’re a DIYer or need a bit for a single project or limited number of holes:
Go vacuum brazed — the tool will eat through tile quickly and clean up your edges with less dust.

If you’re polishing or shaping natural stone edges:
Start with vacuum brazed for material removal, then finish with sintered or resin-bond for a refined edge.

Tile ProSource Takeaway

Both technologies have a place in your setup — it’s not about which is “better,” but which is built for the job you’re doing. 

Look at it as the price per drill hole. A 1-3/8" vacuum brazed bit that costs $36.00 but only bores 50 holes, costs you $0.72 per hole.  On the other hand, a 1-3/8" sintered diamond bit that costs $77.00 but bores 286 holes, costs you $0.26 per hole. 

At Tile ProSource, we stock both sintered and vacuum brazed diamond tools from top manufacturers like DiStar, Bihui and Helix— each chosen for reliability, precision, and performance under real professional-use conditions.

Because when your blade bites right and your cut stays clean, your day runs smoother — and your results speak for themselves.

#FastShippingAlways | #BuiltForTileProsWhoDontSettle

Visit TileProSource.com to explore diamond tools trusted by pros who care about their cuts.