The Krypt Keeper Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 want to cut out some parts and brackets. whats the best way to cut aluminum that doesn't require me to hit the grinder for an hour to clean things up. father in law has a plasma cutter he uses for his welding business, yet he is also never around for me to use his fun cool tools. I take it out of his daughter though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikesail Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Table saw with a carbide blade. It will make lots of noise, but cuts cleanly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowrideCX Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Gringer with a cut off wheel. Or a bansaw. Jigsaw either way you will need to clean it up with a sanding disc on the grinder. Unless you have a waterjet machine.... :icon_think: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrick Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 want to cut out some parts and brackets. whats the best way to cut aluminum that doesn't require me to hit the grinder for an hour to clean things up. father in law has a plasma cutter he uses for his welding business, yet he is also never around for me to use his fun cool tools. I take it out of his daughter though Go to a hobby store and get some modeling clay and quick-set epoxy. Borrow father-in-law's keys, note the key manufacturer and key code, make an impression (both sides in case you can't get a key code), pour them full of the epoxy. When they dry, go to Home Depot and pick up a couple of correct blanks and a file. Make yourself a key to his shop, and never have to file anything by hand again. Fully stocking the beer fridge each time you visit may help reduce interruptions by the local constabulary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Table saw with a carbide blade. It will make lots of noise, but cuts cleanly. This is how I do it for straight cuts. The old Black & Decker Piranha blades with the curved carbide teeth do a great job. Just go real slow and damn sure where safety glasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 hmmm icepick has a great idea except having to go to his house and put up with his g/f and family. no table saw, remember doing that in the past when I worked at a boat building shop. Noisy as shit and instant glitter. got a hack saw, had a scroll saw however I left it at my parents house in their shed.. now that I think about it.. after the tornado hit 2 yrs ago it hasn't been seen since not to mention all the walls and half the shit in the shed.. think I will call my father in law and make an apointment at his house. Believe he might have a plasma cutter set up for cutting aluminum. After making some measurements and marking them down on the plate to be cut this would be the best way. making a headlight bracket, chain guard brackets and possibly some turn signal brackets.. hmmm might be a cool time to learn how to TIG weld also.. thanks guys for the help, think I will just wait and see about doing it the proper way. The final pieces will show it in quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 How about a router with some type of carbide narrow bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01xxallen Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Go to the aluminum supplier and ask them to cut it in their giant brake. "Ker-chuum.............here." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbird Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Go to the aluminum supplier and ask them to cut it in their giant brake. "Ker-chuum.............here." And when they're done laughing at you they may help you. Brakes make bends, not cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicholy Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Go to the aluminum supplier and ask them to cut it in their giant brake. "Ker-chuum.............here." Giant shear? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALCXX Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Aluminum cuts really fast with a plasma arc. Practice, practice, practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01xxallen Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Go to the aluminum supplier and ask them to cut it in their giant brake. "Ker-chuum.............here." And when they're done laughing at you they may help you. Brakes make bends, not cuts. Shear. Thanks, I know when I'm at the door of despair, you'll be there to push me through. :icon_doh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 A band saw will work nicely. But it will leave lines on the cuts. If you choose to go the table saw route, just make damn sure you don't get it caught and have metal flung back at you at 1000 fps. Personally, i wouldn't do that. To many hard learned lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 A band saw will work nicely. But it will leave lines on the cuts. If you choose to go the table saw route, just make damn sure you don't get it caught and have metal flung back at you at 1000 fps. Personally, i wouldn't do that. To many hard learned lessons. I probably wouldn't do it either, if my table saw had any more power than your average bench grinder. It's an old, old belt-drive 8" Craftsmen. Maybe 1/2 or 3/4 HP. Dulling blades get pitched pretty quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbird2 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 reciprocating saw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 plate is still sitting on my work bench, got tired of waiting for my father in law so I went and bought some 1/8" X 1" aluminum flat stock.. nothing a hacksaw and bench grinder couldnt handle. Father in law is swamped with work.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W.A.T. Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 My 2 cents... When building the aluminum sheet metal parts for the aircraft builds, we use a mid-sized router with a 1/4" carbide bit. If you take the time to fashion a shroud and hook up a shop vac there is almost no mess at all. Use cutting oil designed for aluminum. Measure from the outside edge of the bit to the edge of the router base. Then use double-back-tape to hold down a strait strip of 1"x 1/4" aluminum bar as a guide. Sure makes life easier for me. Good luck and let us know which method works best for you. Disclaimer: Use this advise at you own risk. Safety Glasses recommend and sober up before trying this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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