how you suggest i cut aluminum?

[Walleye]

i gots 3 millimeter aluminum... and i need to cut it to an exact rectangle... i've already marked out the dimensions in sharpie... how you all suggest i go about cutting it?

i was thinking hacksaw... but i'm not sure that will work... i know i have to set this up outside... i cant have thousands of metal filings inside... but how should i hold it down?

 

[BatmanNate]

I would use a dremel.

 

[amnesiac]

bandsaw/jigsaw?

 

[Mookow]

allow me to suggest using something sharp

 

[Joony]

one of those expensive laster cutters!

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate
I would use a dremel.

that's for the fine detail work. i'm talking about the long lengthwise cuts.

 

Radial arm saw with a carbide blade, works great

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
bandsaw/jigsaw?

wouldnt that hurt my bandsaw?


poor bandsaw....

 

[hevnsnt]

Originally posted by: amnesiac
bandsaw/jigsaw?

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: Roger
Radial arm saw with a carbide blade, works great

yeah, that's one of the woodworking tools i dont have...


that, and a sander planer...


so, what other options? i need to make 1 22 inch pass, and one 9 inch pass.

 

[Walleye]

i got a nice chopsaw... but that's more for steel...

 

That will work just fine.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: Roger
That will work just fine.

not for the lengths i need. and it's only 3 mm aluminum.. my chopsaw would just rip it apart.

the chopsaw has a 14 inch disc, and it doesnt travel at all... so cutting length with it would be ...very hard.

 

Well then use a fingernail file

 

[Rage187]

Razorblade fortehwin!

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: Roger
Well then use a fingernail file

you're just trying to keep me away from the forums for a few weeks while i file away at my aluminum sheet i know your type! :Q

 

[fs5]

I suggest your teeth.

 

[XZeroII]

Dremel. Set up a rig so you can prop it against something and cut straight. As long as you aren't cutting like 10 ft, it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Howard]

Use a hard, sharp edge to score the line many times and then just rip it apart.

 

[rgwalt]

Can you get a metal cutting blade for your bandsaw? I took high school metal and wood shop, though I don't remember if there is anything fundamentally different between a wood cutting bandsaw and a metal cutting band saw other than the type of blade used.

R

 

[Talon02]

Plasma Cutter, like drawing with a pencil

 

[Ornery]

Sears is selling a Black & Decker 3.5 amp Jig Saw, Variable Speed with Quick Clamp and Kit Box, #Sears Item #00926821000, Mfr. Model #JS200K, for $19.88! Buy that and a metal cutting blade or two. Have somebody squirt a little kerosine on the blade while you cut. Go slow, so you don't have to be filing it straight after you're done. You'll want to file the sharp edge off, but you don't want to have to even out a crooked cut.

Edit: This is actually a pretty Hot Deal. Neither of our local Sears have it in stock, so cross your fingers on grabbing one. You could always order it, I guess, but I'd hate to wait.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Use a circular saw & go slow.

There is other ways to do it that would be easier/better if you have the tools. Without knowing what you have tool wise it is a guess.

Whatever you do, clamp it down good. Aluminum is grabby and wants to smear.

 

[Bulldozer]

bandsaw w/ a metal cutting blade.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Metal Shear
chop,its cut in 1 second.,per side

take to a metal shop,pay the man.


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