Aluminum Cutting Techniques....

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Hey guys,Since a lot of you do aluminum, I wanted to show my techniques I use to fabricate many odd configurations & ways to change them. I get a lot of residual 6061 cutoffs from work & use them to make adjustable jigs, frames, brackets, crafts, & classic/show car accessories. I use my table saw(10") with an Irwin 80T non-ferrous blade, & simply use WD-40 as a lubricant. The WD keeps the blade teeth clean & the cuts are superb. I just spray the length of the cut to be made on the material & a quick shot on the blade.The saw is set for C/L with calipers & height adjusted to just clear the thickness of the material. Once the C/L is set & cut is made, the fence is adjusted for thickness to be removed from each side to get the desired width of slot. Also, I use the sq. tubing to make "C" channel, or reverse cut opposite corners to make angle. The idea of slotting the square tube is because I make a lot of jigs that I need to have adjustable height & width brackets to slide where I need them.... makes it quite easy. I also use this saw to cut all my alum. D/Plate sheets to size. You gotta just take you time & wear the proper PPE for your safety. Cutting alum. makes a lot of mini-shrapnel. The pics are kinda self-explanatory with the results. Also, here is the outfit I buy my blades. Hope this helps any of you who do a lot of alum & need odd shapes. Gonna need (3) posts to get all the pics on.... give me a couple xtra minutes.     Thanks.........           Dennyhttp://www.cripedistributing.com/irw...9s-p-5151.htmlGroup 1: Setup... Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Group 2...... Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Group 3... Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Thanks for posting this thread, some great ideas that I'll be sure to use
Reply:I used to use a table saw to rip aluminum extrusion at my old job.  We used regular wood cutting blades and lubed them with a wax stick.  Worked good.  Used the band saw too sometimes, and a jigsaw to make shapes.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:i too used to use a standard table saw with wood blades to rip sheets of aluminum. always puckered my butt hole when i did it though. call me a puss thats okMillermatic 251, 50A spoolmatic, 400amp teacoSyncrowave 250
Reply:I have used normal "fine" wood blades from Freud to cut aluminum in my table saw and chop saws.  I don't do it often, but it is always a bit scary.  sometimes, the blade will grad the aluminum if you feed it too fast.......that's not fun.  I have had large chunks of aluminum go flying!!!
Reply:yea i used to use the diablo blades. but now i use no grab blades made for aluminum. much smoother and safer.Millermatic 251, 50A spoolmatic, 400amp teacoSyncrowave 250
Reply:Thanks for the information Denny and the rest. That WD-40 is some good stuff. From catching catfish to cutting aluminum, it has a lot of uses.
Reply:I use alchool as coolant in the cutting blade, drill bit and in the hand saw to make a nice and clear cut. You shall test the alchool Regards
Reply:alcohol? like rubbing alcohol?Millermatic 251, 50A spoolmatic, 400amp teacoSyncrowave 250