Aluminum Cutting?

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I have a larg end dump trailer to cut up.  it is all aluminum & the man wants it cut into 4' x 4' pieces whats the fastest & most cost effective method of doing so? Thank you way in advanceI stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:I would think a fairly large Plasma cutter would do quite nicelyBobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:That was my first thought as well, However it is in a pretty remote location & i was hoping not to tie up another welder & compressor.  Do you think a new metal cutting saw such as an evolution saw would do the trick?  It was also suggested an aluminum cutting chain for a chainsaw, i had never tried anything like this has anyone ever used one?I stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:Track hoe with shear?My 1st thought would be my 14" gas saw with an abrasive blade if I couldn't find a diamond blade for nonferous metals..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:Thats what i am thinking.  I wanted to turn it over & let a little O&A ease its way inside until after lunch, and have an extra long fuse . But i was told no.  So I guess i will rent a gas powered chop saw.  Thank you DSWI stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:i just scrapped out an aluminum flatbed semi trailer.I used a plasma and a circular saw. A regular circular saw with a carbide blade is amazing. A worm drive contractors saw is better, and if you can afford one the evolution will give you a permagrinn.  If you have thick sections make multiple passes. Keep a good hold on it and dont let it bind or buck or you will be replacing the blade. A little wd-40 or kerosene will make it cut easier.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:Thank you propanehotrod maybe i can justify a new tool out of this on.I stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:I'd go for a gas powered cut off saw with an abrasive wheel, make sure to get the right wheel for cutting aluminum, the aluminum wheel will cut steel but the steel wheel will not cut aluminum, they get clogged up. You should be able to rent one from a tool rental store. Attached ImagesIan TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Thank you fortyonethirty I think that is what i will be using.  I would have loved to talk myself into a new tool with this job but do to some of the thicknesses of the trailer i think this will be the best way.  Thank you allI stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:Unknown - An oxy-fuel torch will make its way through the aluminum nicely.Once you get your technique down, travel will be quick.Good Luck
Reply:if you do use a carbide blade on a circular saw, squirting a lil wd-40 on the blade from time to time will keep the blade clearing the chips instead of gumming up. if that were my job, it would be plasma and worm drive all the way. could probably get r done in a solid days worth of work (if ya have a plasma and air compressor to keep up)migweld 250parcmate 205weldall 250piforcecut 80i plasma'07 pro 300 miller'08 trailblazer 302mm350pdynasty 700dynasty 200deltaweld 452xr-a 50ft push pull feeders and gooseneck
Reply:Ueeehhg... That trailer has double panels, and repair patches, and tubes, and curves and corners and inaccessible nooks and crannies which will require a minimum of 8" cutting reach. Then there's the shifting, kerf-closing, blade-pinching, sags. Basically, it would be one slow miserable task with a saw.Good Luck
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepUnknown - An oxy-fuel torch will make its way through the aluminum nicely.Once you get your technique down, travel will be quick.Good Luck
Reply:A saw with a carbide blade and WD40 would be the way to go.  For the hard to reach places use a sawzall type reciprocating saw with a long blade and lots of spares.  I like the long ones that are rated for cutting nails.  If you are not thinking you can pinch the blade so wear gloves, ear plugs, and a face shield.
Reply:I've always used wood-cutting blades on aluminum.  But are we talking about thick pieces that are unwieldy because of corrugation-type bends and reinforcements or just very thick plate?  I wonder how a chainsaw would do on thick aluminum?Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by sn0border88I hope im missing the sarcasm...?You can use a regular circular saw and a wood blade no problem, if you dont want to spend the money on the abrasive saw.  How thick is it?
Reply:I agree... but you cant "cut" aluminum with a torch.Yes, I know you can blow holes through it with one, but that wouldnt be any less miserable than a saw.Have we all gone mad?
Reply:True, aluminum won't  carry a "burn" like carbon steel, but once a "melt" is started it can be moved along quickly to make a narrow continuous cut. I'll show ya how sometime.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 02-03-2011 at 09:36 AM.
Reply:denrep can you explain more on O&A with aluminum I am very interested.  If it could be used it, it would be a great help due to the thickness & structure of the trailer. You got my attention I stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!
Reply:Unknown,The flame should be adjusted hot with a heavy preheat but not to an overly high oxidizing flow, because that will tend to cool the melt. When possible, direct the flame so that it is almost parallel to the cut line, yet mostly away from the direct gas flow, so that preheat can be absorbed by the upcoming cut.  As each "step" (which is dictated by the flame's reach length) of the cut's progress reaches melt the flame can be quickly "flipped" so that the the molten aluminum is blown away by the more turbulent part of the flame. Sometimes the flip isn't necessary because gravity will drop the kerf. Once temperature and stride are reached the cut can be made with a continuous travel.I hope that awkward description makes sense, and helps. Fire up your torch and take a practice run.Torch and plasma would make a formidable team on this job.I've never heard of the aluminum chainsaw, that sounds interesting.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 02-03-2011 at 10:37 AM.
Reply:Thank you very much sir i wil be trying a test run soon as i can.  Pictures to fallowI stand behind my welding, I just won't stand under it!