I need to make some straight cuts on some 6061t6 sheet somewhere between 14ga and 1/8 but more on the 14ga side. This will be for a breather tank. I thought I saw someone talking about using a table saw for this, a Google search confirmed that people are doing this. My question is what blade to use? And anything I should know, just wanted to ask ya’ll, because you’re always a big help. Thanks in advance!

 

a blade for cutting metal with carbide or diamond tips.

 

Carbide tipped....go SLOW and WEAR GOGGLES (not glasses) AND A FACE SHIELD.

 

Get the highest tooth count you can find. 80 is good. Carbide teeth are great and can take an incredible amount of heat, not necessary though.

Wear gloves and face-shield and be prepared for any kickback.

 

For cutting thin material the cheapest way is to setup the table saw with a 7 1/4 blade with 60 teeth. That will be your cheapest blade to buy and you should have more then enough cutting depth capacity. Don't make the blade protrude any more then you need to cut thru the material. This will keep hooking to a minimum. Plan on using some lubricant. I would spray the cut line on the top of the sheet with crc powerlube or WD before you cut it. Aluminum cuts just about as easy as plywood. Personally I would use a hand held circular saw for this. The hand held you can use for plunge cuts which I would avoid on the table saw. Your on your own so Use this at your own risk. BE CAREFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL AND USE EYE PROTECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

a mister system of some type would be ideal for this. i wouldnt bother trying it without a steady flow of lubricant. amazingly enough, miter saws/table saws/ wood cutting tools work wonders on aluminum. and barely leave any bur. which is a plus.

 

I take a wax ring that you use for setting a toilet turn the saw on and touch the blade with the wax before every cut, I have also seen people just rub the wax on the aluminum down the line your gona cut.

 

This is the method that I have learned from my dad, and I think it works better than any other method that I have found.

 

A few years back I used to make r/c dragster chassis out of 1/8 aluminum. All I used was a table saw with a regular wood blade. It cuts easy and doesnt leave any burrs. Just move steady and slow. If you get a higher teeth count blade it will work even better. But for a 1 time type of deal the wood blade will work fine.

Adriano

 

I have made lots cuts on 3/16 and 1/4 aluminum (4043) with a regular skill saw and never had to use any lube. I would just clamp a fence on the sheet and go. The blade was one of those expensive metal cutting ones, I've never tried it with a wood blade, but it never clogged at all. The cuts were really clean and shiny too. The face protection is important! good luck.

 

thanks as always! picked up a 80 tooth carbide and a push stick.

 

Ya there is definetely alot of metal hitting your face/body when cutting sheet aluminum, I cut 3/16" all the time with a 60 tooth carbide blade, I personalyl just pull my shirt over my nose and wear safety glasses, but if you got a mask use it lol

 

I use a skillsaw and it works great.

If youre gonna use the table saw, post up some pics of the cuts as im interested as to how well it works.

 

ohh man...I know this works because I have seen it done, but it just gives me the chills thinking about it. If you have ever seen or caught a kick-backed piece of wood, you can just imagine the damage done with a piece of metal. dont forget to stand to the side of the blade. You should never-ever stand directly behind it. I might even consider making a sled for the table saw out of some scrap plywood. Just so your hands have a little more to hold onto. Ive always used canning wax on my table saw. its cheap, cleaner than a donut ring, and available at any grocery store

 

almost died, twice. i'll stick with the jigg saw and band saw. i'll also be doing some drywall repair in the near future.

 

lol Kickback is a bitch isn't it. Hopefully you are alright.

 

its really not that bad, keep the blade lubed, and keep your piece on the table. once the blade heats up + your material heats up, forget it, you might as well die. lol ***** gonna start flyin

 

alright yes, there has to be a faster way to make straight cuts. any help?

 

Did you use a table saw or a circular saw?

Other options could be a thin cut off wheel like the Walter zip wheel or a plasma cutter with a fence. Are there any local shops that have a shear. I don't even charge if someone wants a few cuts made on the shear.

 

this is the way to go, used a 60t carbide tip blade made for wood cost like $11 zipped right through it. and never felt like i might die, did wear face shield. thanks

 

I too have used a skill saw with a wood blade to cut off an intake manifold, and my dad used a table saw with a wood blade to make straight cuts in aluminum to make the sides for a wood splitter pump cover. They both worked great with no lube, but as stated above, for the think stuff don't have the blade protrude through the material any more than necessary to take it easy on the teeth.

 

i know Lenox and Freud both make blades for cutting non ferrous metal.
i have a Lenox blade in a miter saw that i use to cut 16g aluminum tubing. it cuts it like butter.
i have not tried it on a table saw, but i don't see why it wouldn't work. aside from kick back, it should cut through 14g aluminum like butter. though i really think you would not have any kickback with 14g and higher

if i was goign to try it myself, i'd get some Anti kick back rollers, or some type of featherboard setup to hold the sheet down
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...Clockwise.aspx