what do you guys use to cut aluminum sheet up to 1/4"???

 

Plasma cutter.

 

I also use plasma but you could use a jig saw.

 

i could imagine jig saw would take forever

 

not with a decent blade.

al is much softer than steel.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dfoxengr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">not with a decent blade.

al is much softer than steel.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fills up the teeth with aluminum though, only downside of cutting it.

 

4.5 angle grinder wouldnt clog too. theres another option

 

i've used a jig saw on 1/4 " alum when i didn't have access to plasma
it's not too slow. just use a good blade designed for metal. also, i used some tapping fluid while cutting. helped keep the blade clean, cool, and definitely went alot faster.

 

Yes when using a jig you will need some type of lube to keep the teeth from cloging up.

You can also use a grinder with the correct wheel. Yes they make wheels just for cutting aluminum.

 

you could probably spray the jig saw blade with some wd40 as you cut along to help keep it from getting gummed up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by weiRtech &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">you could probably spray the jig saw blade with some wd40 as you cut along to help keep it from getting gummed up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yup works like a charm just makes a mess.

 

I use a 7 1/4 inch circular saw, like a skill saw, with a negative rake angle carbide blade designed for non ferrous metals. Works like a champ. Wear goggles for sure. Remember you have to have the right blade. I paid over $100 for my blade.

Learned this trick from my brother in law, who had a summer job working at a large name brand aluminum truck dump body manufacturer.

 

I agree with big moose a 7 1/4 circular saw kicks *** it will cut up to 1" thick with a little lubrication I use wd40 or crc power lube I usually use a regular 60 tooth caride blade but I do know that the correct triple chip carbide blade will work even better
it takes a sharper blade to cut wood than aluminum 1/4 "will cut as easy as a 2x4
be careful to make sure the blade doesn't get pinched it will kick back
been using a circular saw since the late 70's early 80's it works

 

you can a angle grinder which works well but also a jig saw works good but make sure you keep the blade free from the chips by using wd40 or another lubricant
good luck with it

 

angle grinder takes too damn long on thicker pieces....looks like a plasma cutter in the list.