Cutting an Aluminum 4"x2"

Wood cutting bandsaw will do. Or a tablesaw with a wood blade. Grinding wheels tend to load up on aluminum.

John Martin

A non-ferrous carbide saw blade can be used. Something like WD-40 will aid in the cut. You can use a saw lube that is in the form of a stick but for only a couple of cuts it is not economical. Gloves , faceshield and hearing protection is prudent. I have used 40 tooth regualr carbide 7 1/4 saw blades in my skill saw. The angle of the teeth is not correct but they will still cut the aluminum. Randy

A woodcuting blade in a circ saw works for me. Us a slow feed! Pat

What the others said. Except you *can* grind alum! (below) We cut aluminum in a chop saw w/ regular carbide blade all the time, BUT, for thick stuff, go slow, keep it cool, cuz alum will melt onto the blade. Easy enough to chip off, tho. Water is OK, iffin you can keep it out of the motor. And you are not grounded. :) Maybe just immerse the bar in cold water every once in a while, as such a mass will disipate the heat pretty well, until the whole block heats up.

If you just have to shave some off, welding supply houses carry an aluminum grinding wheel for 4 and 7" grinders, and removes material like an SOB!! Amazing. And lasts pretty long, and wasn't more expensive than regular depressed-center wheels. Wouldn't use it in place of a saw, nec'ly, but iffin you need to touch up or remove high spots, that will do it, no problem.

---------------------------- Mr. P.V.'d formerly Droll Troll

"Pat Ford" wrote in message news:cl5nul$hfi$ snipped-for-privacy@nrc-news.nrc.ca...

Update....

I bought an el-cheapo carbide tipped wood cutting blade from HF and tried cutting the 2"x4" Al today.

After overcoming my reticence at pushing a wood cutting blade into metal I was pleasantly surprised to see that it cut quite well. I don't think its the kind of thing that prolongs the life of either saw motor or blade (the blade lost a tooth- what did I expect for $2.99?), but for just a few cuts it does the job.

Thanks for the advice gents.

Deadsy.

HoloBarre©® wrote:

I worked at a boat yard where we built aluminium boats (Hulls where ~.125") we used wood blade with a different angle on the teeth. We used alot of wood working tools. Pat

Glad it helped.