Cutting aluminum plate

admin

I'm making some covers for some boxes, I have a plan to fab some pins, kinda like the ones I have seen on hot rod hoods. Mine will have padlocks instead of cotter pins. My dilemma is that I need to cut the plate, I have my metal cutting saw(circular), but it has the factory blade. I called dewalt and they say its not for aluminum it's for steel. But isn't much softer? Will it hard my steel cutting blade ?   Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I'm not an aluminum guy but I would say that blade is a no no assuming its an abrasive blade. Since aluminum is softer that blade will probably melt instead of cut and gum up the blade, not to mention the crap its gonna leave in the aluminum.
Reply:It's a carbide bladeSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I cut 1/4" 6061 alum diamond plate all the time with a circular saw...the key is you need a carbide blade. Works awesome, you'll be fine. Make sure you wear ear plugs!The more teeth the better..
Reply:Originally Posted by Bluehunter40It's a carbide bladeSent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:The soft aluminum will plug the teeth on a ferrous metal cutting blade. A wood cutting carbide tipped blade with wax for lubricant is a better choice.
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DThe soft aluminum will plug the teeth on a ferrous metal cutting blade. A wood cutting carbide tipped blade with wax for lubricant is a better choice.
Reply:They may make a specific blade for aluminum that is made for the metal cutting saw. If you have a regular 7.25 inch circle saw I would use it with a decent 24 tooth or so thin kerf general purpose blade. I have had good luck with the Bosch brand blades but any of the better ones will work. Depending how thick you are cutting some wax or WD-40 will help keep the blade from plugging up.
Reply:Do you have woodcutting saws?  (table saw, circular saw?)  I use these regularly to cut up to 1/4" plate (the limit is simply because that is the largest I have needed...I don't have a problem with using this for any thickness of aluminum plate).You can get a Diablo Laminate/Non-Ferrous blade at HD.  You can get some fabulous non-ferrous blades from Onsrud online.  Or, if you already have ANY triple-chip-grind blade, I'd be comfortable using that for one project.You get a beautiful edge with the wood-cutting blade.Here are some pics (one of these is 1/4" aluminum plate)[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:And, I used the pins to fasten the lid of a portfolio I built for transporting my pads of art paper to art class...KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:Tips on cutting aluminum with a regular circular saw:   You can use regular carbide tipped blades 7 1/4 inch but select as many teeth as possible.  These wood cutting blades have the incorrect tooth rake angle but will do the job.  They tend to grab more.  You can purchase carbide tipped blades meant for cutting aluminum... they cost a lot but they do not grab as bad.   Only have the blade sticking out enough to cut the thickness plus about a quarter of an inch.  It is less likely to bind.   Release the trigger. let the blade stop and then lift out of the cut.  Lifting out of the cut while the blade is spinning is not wise.   Use a saw wax rubbed on both sides of the blade.  As you use it it will migrate out to the tips.  No need to charge with wax every cut. Usually every 30 to 50 cuts is about right.  Wax reduces the gumming up of the teeth.  You can even use canning wax.   Feed firmly but slowly forward.  You can tell the correct speed forward by the load on the saw.   Face shield, ear plugs and close fitting leather gloves are a good choice.  The chips are hot and they fly everywhere.   If you twist the blade in the kerf it will grab and kick back so do not stand directly behind the saw.  Some pros actually pull the saw all the time.  It is really awkward and I would not recommend.  It takes time to get used to pulling and touching the trigger.  If you see someone using the pulling technique watch and ask questions before you try it.  The big plus is if the saw grabs it leaves your hand and flys away from you.   My lunch buddy had many more years on aluminum than I so much that when he went to help a friend build a garage he used the pull technique on cutting 2by4's  he said the other guys freaked when they saw him cutting LOL.  This guy had more than one saw and one had no base plate.  He would use the blade for bevelling. trimming and backgouging all freehand in the air.  An extremely effective tool but also extremely dangerous.Last edited by lotechman; 08-23-2014 at 12:48 AM.
Reply:"The soft aluminum will plug the teeth on a ferrous metal cutting blade. A wood cutting carbide tipped blade with wax for lubricant is a better choice.""You can use regular carbide tipped blades 7 1/4 inch but select as many teeth as possible."
Reply:I'm making a security cover for an electronics box on a boat. I don't even need to weld, just a cover with some holes drilled. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:Okay another question: can I polish up a plate without a lot of work? If so how?Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:i've never done it before, but from watching youtube videos all you need is some buffing compound and a buffer. if you have some car wax and some rubbing compound that might work just as well a clear coat will keep it that way for a while at least.
Reply:Before you drill the big holes for your pins, drill some small holes in the same location and use them to screw the aluminum to a piece of plywood.Use an automotive car buffer to polish the aluminum.You can get a cheap buffer at Harbor Freight.http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...der-60626.html
Reply:Thanks so much for the help guys, I think I have a handle on this now. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:I use a regular finest tooth I have saw blade installed backwards. I have always had good luck this way.
Reply:Don't use the blade made for steel, use one either made for aluminum or wood, it will cut like plywood.