One for the metal workers

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Nooj · #1 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:14 pm

With the appropriate blade, would this do for cutting aluminium up to 6mm thick?

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CHIQ8wIwAw

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:22 pm

Nooj wrote:With the appropriate blade, would this do for cutting aluminium up to 6mm thick?

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... CHIQ8wIwAw

......... the description given by one of the vendors in the link you supplied answers your question .....

The primary use of this bandsaw is for woodworking and the blade supplied is suitable for cutting both hard and soft woods. It is possible to use this bandsaw for cutting metal but only with the correct blade fitted. (not supplied)

#3 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 9:21 pm

For proper metal-bothering like that (i.e. aluminium up to 6") you really need a horizontal bandsaw. Even the smallest one would make mincemeat of 6" ali.

Most horizontal jobbies can also do vertical - like this one on eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Horizontal-Ve ... 2c6478536a

I must admit, when I get my shed properly sorted out, one of those may find a home in it...

MartDude · #4 Post by **MartDude** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:00 pm

Most woodworking machinery runs at too high a speed for cutting metal. Also, a woodworking machine isn't designed for swarf removal.

And Charnwood aren't that brilliant anyway; not very substantial, & cheaply made. If you want a single-phase bandsaw, you'd be better looking for a second-hand Multico, or Startrite - much better-made.

Do you want to do straight or curved cuts, or both? If it's just straight, an old-fashioned donkey saw could be a cheaper option. For curved cuts, a good quality jigsaw, on a low speed, with the right blade & plenty of wax, can do the job - I've cut 8mm. aluminium. Something like this

http://www.bosch-professional.com/gb/en ... /gst-90-be

Willopotomas · #5 Post by **Willopotomas** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:35 pm

Waterjet it

blinkey501 · #6 Post by **blinkey501** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:04 am

Not every one has a water cutter in there garage will

A band saw will cut aluminium above 6mm just take your time with it.

fatboy · #7 Post by **fatboy** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:28 pm

You would need some kind of coolant/lubrication feed to cut any metal,even ali,without it the saw band will end up with teeth like a 20 yr old mountain goat and then snap quicktime

blinkey501 · #8 Post by **blinkey501** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:19 pm

fatboy wrote:You would need some kind of coolant/lubrication feed to cut any metal,even ali,without it the saw band will end up with teeth like a 20 yr old mountain goat and then snap quicktime

Parafin is the right coolant for aluminium

Apply it to the blade with a paint brush

MartDude · #9 Post by **MartDude** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:38 pm

blinkey501 wrote:
fatboy wrote:You would need some kind of coolant/lubrication feed to cut any metal,even ali,without it the saw band will end up with teeth like a 20 yr old mountain goat and then snap quicktime
Parafin is the right coolant for aluminium Apply it to the blade with a paint brush

On a bandsaw deigned primarily for woodworking, that would end up coating the (usually) rubber-tyred wheels, which could f**k them up, as well as causing the blade to slip. And with no coolant recovery system, it'll end up partly on the floor, and partly being splattered widely by the wheels & blade.

If it's going to be used as a 'multi-purpose' bandsaw, i.e. for wood and metal, it ought to have a variable speed control, to slow it down for metal.

Horizontal bandsaw or donkey saw will be much better.

Or get a mate with the right equipment to do it for you

Willopotomas · #10 Post by **Willopotomas** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 10:32 pm

Cutting aluminium of any kind of saw is a bastard as it has the tendency to stick to whatever is doing the cutting. Cutting without suds (sorry, coolant) is a bit of a dumb thing to do as you run the risk of taking teeth off the blade. 6mm alu on a band saw.. It'll do it, just be very careful. Personally I'd find a fabricators or someone like myself with access to waterjet/laser cutting machines who can do it for you. A lot of places will accept the odd 'foreign' job and it'll cost you a lot less than having to buy new blades every 5 minutes..lol

MartDude · #11 Post by **MartDude** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 12:40 am

Will - just out of curiosity - can you cut aluminium ok with a plasma cutter?

Shebee · #12 Post by **Shebee** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:52 am

Angle grinder

paddyz1 · #13 Post by **paddyz1** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:11 pm

Shebee wrote:Angle grinder

Clogs up!!!!

Ask me how i know

#14 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:35 pm

Shebee wrote:Angle grinder

Seconded! Everything can be done with an angle grinder.

Even painting.

#15 Post by **Kwackerz** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:37 pm

paddyz1 wrote:
Shebee wrote:Angle grinder
Clogs up!!!!

Ask me how i know

Wrong cutting disc..

Everything can be done using an angle grinder!

Apart from welding.

You need a 13mm spanner and a car battery for that..

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One for the metal workers

One for the metal workers

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