Multi cutting aluminum

[allgm1]

So I recently acquired this sheet of 1/4" dp aluminum 4'x78". I want to cut it down to size, in the past I would attack it with a saws all which works but is hard to get a good straight cut. I have a 4 1/2" grinder w/cut off wheels, circular saw and as I already mentioned the saws all. I was wondering what everyone else would use, I thought about a circular saw with a plywood blade in it (only because I haven't tried it yet), I know a carbide tip blade is not real fond of 1/8" aluminum so I'm sure 1/4" would be certain death for the blade. Looking for some good suggestions for a good clean cut hopefully. TIA

 

[Admin]

 

[Windrock1000]

So I recently acquired this sheet of 1/4" dp aluminum 4'x78". I want to cut it down to size, in the past I would attack it with a saws all which works but is hard to get a good straight cut. I have a 4 1/2" grinder w/cut off wheels, circular saw and as I already mentioned the saws all. I was wondering what everyone else would use, I thought about a circular saw with a plywood blade in it (only because I haven't tried it yet), I know a carbide tip blade is not real fond of 1/8" aluminum so I'm sure 1/4" would be certain death for the blade. Looking for some good suggestions for a good clean cut hopefully. TIA
View attachment 40152

Mark it up and take it to a fab shop and have it sheared. They want charge you much to cut it.

 

[swsebek]

if you want to do your self.I would lay a piece of steel beside it as a guide and c clamp it then use a cut off grinder wheel and run along side the steel.Take your time the aluminum will get hot a gald up the blade.You can also cut halfway through it and finish with sawzall.The sawzall will stay in the cut and then you can touch up the end with sanding disc......Im not much for asking shops to do what I can do myself..

 

[Windrock1000]

if you want to do your self.I would lay a piece of steel beside it as a guide and c clamp it then use a cut off grinder wheel and run along side the steel.Take your time the aluminum will get hot a gald up the blade.You can also cut halfway through it and finish with sawzall.The sawzall will stay in the cut and then you can touch up the end with sanding disc......Im not much for asking shops to do what I can do myself..

Please wear PPE and cut really slow. Blades will exploded when they get loaded up. Straight edge and a jig saw may be a better choice. Good luck!

 

[xltman]

Plasma. Having a shop shear as suggested. If you do use your grinder they make wheels for aluminum, much safer.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[JTW]

Well I'd hit that dude with a circular saw and some WD-40

 

[swsebek]

I never thought of that, Bet that would make a cool sound

 

[Tflynn]

Sounds like a good excuse to buy a plasma cutter. It will fly through it like butter and make a clean cut.

I own a hypertherm and am happy with it. At work I have a Thermal Dynamics by Victor. For the money, I actually recommend the Thermal Dynamics. Way more machine for the money in my opinion

 

[Windrock1000]

Well I'd hit that dude with a circular saw and some WD-40

@JTW you will cut a toe off!

 

[JTW]

@JTW you will cut a toe off!

Well I wasn't planning on using my feet!

 

[Windrock1000]

Well I wasn't planning on using my feet!

You know you will be barefoot.

 

[JTW]

You know you will be barefoot.

And naked... my toes are the least of my worries when cutting metal!

 

[snuffnwhisky]

Skil saw with a blade for non ferrous metal. Carbide tooth with around a 0 deg rake. Fastenal or welding stores usually have them. Wax or lube for the blade. Outside of that would be shear or plasma. Would not recommend a grinding or cutoff wheel. If u need a part number on a blade message me tomorrow. All we do at work is aluminum.

 

[Gator]

I'm with @snuffnwhisky. Buy a blade for the skill saw.
Also, do like @swsebek said, and clamp a straight edge (guide) on it.

 

[trigger]

Skil saw with a blade for non ferrous metal.

That's what I was thinking too. Set the depth, open the dust hole cover and take it slow, it's gonna get hot!

 

[allgm1]

I wish I could either pay some one or buy a plasma cutter but thats not an option for me. I normally won't pay some one to do some thing i can do myself, I have to have some thing to do other than honey do list lol. @swsebek carbide blade + 1/8" aluminum = ringing ears lol. @snuffnwhisky I didn't realize they sold specific blades, going to pick one up this week end. Thanks to all for your replies, I knew I'd get an answer I could use from some one.

 

[CumminsPusher]

I'm with Snuff and everyone on the skil. No matter what you use get the right blade. One for the hard metals will load up too quick and you'll have problems

 

[lonewolf]

Use a carbide blade made specifically for cutting metal, on a circular saw.

 

[tjoreo]

I've used a non ferrous carbide tipped blade on the circular saw many times but usually for .090 metal. WD-40 works pretty good for a lubricant, so I just used it and cleaned it up after the fact. Just makes sure when you start of that you enter the work piece pretty slow or there is a chance of knocking off one of the carbide tips. I do see that Lenox has come out with a new style cut off wheel that says it cuts through anything. Good luck and like everyone says, safety first.

 

[snuffnwhisky]

They do sell multi-metal blades for steel, aluminum, etc... You'll be much happier with one for nonferrous metal only. Do not cut steel with a nonferrous blade. Amazon has a bunch with good pricing. Probably go with around a 50 tooth blade. You'll want a thick blade for that heavy plate so compare thicknesses.