cutting alum with wood blade.

[darkshadow]

I know this is ok, I have cuts lots before but always smaller or thin stock.

I need to cut a 1 1/2"x1 1/2" block at least 3 times, with a 12" general use 80 (IIRC) tooth blade.


you usually need to lube alum. cutting bits and blades, but I would rather not get my new chop saw covered in oil, or wreck my blade.


Any thoughts.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Should work fine for the most. Give it a shot of any kind of lube, WD40, whatever, something is better then nothing.

 

[bigblock72]

That block is going to get way hot and so is your blade, in fact any plastic parts will likely melt from the shavings. WD40 will help and it evaporates, but if you really like your saw don't cut anything thicker than 1/4-3/8".

 

[ryoken]

an old trick I use is to put a thinish piece of wood in with the aluminum, so your cutting thru both.. the wood keeps the blade clean...

obviously you want to go real slow on thick stuff...

 

[darkshadow]

I re-thought it and with the profile I am trying to cut I'll just use my sawzall and lube it good.

 

[rdn2blazer]

You can allways pull out of the cut and dunk it in water to cool it between cuts. Its totally doable.

 

[rdn2blazer]

If I can cut solid steel spring perches with my Porter Cable Porta Band you can cut Al with a wood blade. Someone said it could not be done with a porta band, I knew it could be. Was not that hard to do just took a little time. I cut 4 in dia Aluminum on my Horizontal saw thats no better then a wood saw.

 

[rdn2blazer]

This saw cut 4 in dia. AL no problem. As you can see it aint a big saw.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Glad to see i wasn't the only one using that same saw as a seat while cutting.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Glad to see i wasn't the only one using that same saw as a seat while cutting.

Well ya know, Brilliant minds think alike .

 

[darkshadow]

well I wouldn't argue with you since we all know you know your stuff, a band saw and a duel bevel sliding miter saw. I would not hesitate to cat it with any kind of band saw.

I am making extension blocks to screw to the bottom of my tokarev mags to make the grip a bit longer for my big hands.

the block of alum. I got will work better if I cut it down the middle then shape it, so I'll sawzall it.

 

[kyser_soze]

I use wood blades to cut Al all the time at work. Use a lubricating wax stick.

 

[rdn2blazer]

I use wood blades to cut Al all the time at work. Use a lubricating wax stick.

I have used wax many times aswell, I just hate the build up that happens most of the time with it right at the cut. If Im band sawing it starts to interfear while following the line, ofcourse you just clear the cut and wipe it away, but still....it bugs me. It lubricates fine though.