Best way to cut aluminum?

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What we have is an old junk cement bulk trailer.  We have all of the steel cut off of it and now need to cut up the aluminum tank into the right sizes for the junk yard.  What would be the best method to do this?
Reply:My 1st thought would be I'd hit it with a gas demo saw and abrasive blades myself. 2nd thought would be plasma, but I wouldn't have a gen set big enough to run my plasma outside the shop..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'd just use a circular saw.HammerFile Big Hammer------------------------------Here, let me Google that for you...
Reply:I have heard that circular saws work greatMiller Diversion 180Hobart Handler 140 (Soon to be replaced with Miller 211?)Miller Spectrum 625 Extreme
Reply:Regular circular saw with lots of carbide teeth on blade.  ( 24 or 32 T)   Set to shallow depth to reduce binding.  Gloves, ear protection, and face shield.  You can buy aluminum cutting 7  1/4 inch blades but they are expensive and you are just hacking it apart.
Reply:Why not use a sawzall/reciprocating saw with a demolition blade?
Reply:Plasma was the idea that was first talked about.  We can drag it up close to the shop.  There is going to be alot of cutting, it is a whole trailer.  The skil saw sounded like a good idea.  Just a regular saw with carbide teeth?  Binding is an issue that we are worried about.
Reply:I guess there is one that we can borrow from someone.  Not sure of the size.  I don't believe the tub is more than 3/8" at max.
Reply:I've done a lot of scary stupid things in my life, but I doubt I'd try to cut up an irregular shape like a bulk trailer with a carbide blade and a circular saw. I've run into enough issues running wormdrives vertical or overhead on flat plywood, let alone on alum, especially if you have to stand on a ladder to do the work.If it had to be a saw, I'd want the extra reach and control I'd have with a demo saw. Bind a blade and they almost always stop and seldom kick back with an abrasive blade. The down side is the weight. Run one above your head for 5 minutes and you'll have a work out. If I had to do a whole trailer, I might look into whether I could find a diamond blade rated for alum. I've only done small amounts of alum with either an abrasive blade or a worn out diamond blade, but had no real issues..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'd give a sawzall with an aluminum cutting blade a try.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by andcon83 The skil saw sounded like a good idea.  Just a regular saw with carbide teeth?  Binding is an issue that we are worried about.
Reply:circular saw is by far the best way.   i buy blades at HD for 10 dollars.   if you don't know what kickback is maybe it's not for you.   but a firm grip on a 7 1/4 in saw will prevent it.for a while i was doing repair work on aluminum workboats.   when i had to replace a fender cleat that was welded to the hull, or just about anything that was welded anywhere i would use the circular saw to take it down.   i would let the blade stick out about an inch and rest the base plate on the metal and the slide the blade over the part i wanted to take down, a little bit at a time, working downward and towards me.   it rips it.    very tricky on a raft but you can't beat it for speed.   also, if you are working on something that has been exposed to salt water for a long time you know how hard it is to get good metal.  but gently pulling the saw across the surface you can skin it and get fresh AL.
Reply:Originally Posted by fdcmiamic.  but gently pulling the saw across the surface you can skin it and get fresh AL.
Reply:i have not tried removing the base plate.  if you had say a rail on a deck and you cut it you might be left with the weld and half an inch of pipe.   i would the rest the base plate on the deck, leave about one inch of blade (or more, not that important) and take that thing down.once you get a little practice in you can do a nice clean removal;  and it is very quick.wear a face shield.
Reply:Couldn't get the plasma untill tonight.  Cirular saw with a steel blade is a no.  Hit a rib and dulled it.  No Carbide ones around.  Had a few cuts in it though, so the 315c Cat made quick work of ripping off the section that was partially cut   It's fun to smash stuff with and excavator.
Reply:Haha.  What we say, "Sounded good at the bar"
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120I get the feeling a lot of you guys missed the fact that andcon83 is junking the trailer,Why the hell anyone would use a circular saw to trash an aluminium trailer is beyond me.The quickest, safest way of cutting the thing up is plasma....Hands down.
Reply:Not a big fan of cutting aluminum with plasma (especially if it's going to be welded), but in this case (scrapping) there's no better/safer option.Keep in mind though that cutting aluminum will require a "little more" machine (plasma amps) than cutting mild steel.  This is a classic case where more is better.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:The plasma cutter is awesome.  Cuts it like butter.  Best way to do it if you are scrapping something.  Fast and easy.  Thanks for all of the replies.