Cutting Aluminum w/ Plasma

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I need to cut a 4x8 sheet of 1/8 aluminum diamond plate for a project I am building.  I have a small plasma cutter and was wondering if I could do it without messing the finish up (it's the tread shiny bright) from the heat..  Anybody tried this before?
Reply:If you use a guide and cut from the polished side down, then it will be okay.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Yes, it can be done, wih some practice. Good luck    John G.SMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:It will work great.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Deere2210,Yes the aluminum can be cut with a plasma cutter.  Keep the pattern side down as another poster recommended.Depending on your machine, remember that the aluminum "cut capacity" of your plasma cutter is about 30% less than it is for mild steel.Also, many have experienced problems tig welding a plasma cut aluminum edge.  Seems that the cut edge may become somewhat contaminated from the use of compressed air in the cutting process.  I would recommend some edge grinding if you plan to tig the material.1/8" aluminum plate can also be easily cut with a circular (Skil) saw with a carbide blade.  There are blades made specifically for cutting aluminum but I've found a 60 (or so) tooth 7 1/4 inch carbide blade works nearly as well.  No additional prep is generally required for tig welding.Hope this helps.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:I think I'll give the plasma a try and see how it works.. I do plan to try and tig it after I cut it so I'll make sure I clean it real well first after cutting it and see how it works..  Thanks
Reply:A circular saw with the above recomended blade cuts aluminum almost as well as it cuts wood. I would not waste the time and power to plas if I had a saw.SA200,Ranger8,Trailblazer251NT,MM250,Dayton225AC,T  D-XL75,SpoolMate3545SGA100C,HF-15-1  RFCS-14 When I stick it, it stays stuck!
Reply:Originally Posted by deere2210I think I'll give the plasma a try and see how it works.. I do plan to try and tig it after I cut it so I'll make sure I clean it real well first after cutting it and see how it works..  Thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by umahunteri would go with the others on this use a circular saw or table saw you will get a nice square edge if not try a test piece first if you haven't cut al much with plasma you may have problems with build up etc diamond plates expensive im sure ya don't wanna waste any