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Cutting aluminium channel

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Cutting aluminium channel

Postby RogerS » 19 Dec 2018, 12:08

I have a cunning plan and need to cut some channel with walls 5mm thick. Can I use an old mitre saw ? What sort of blade ? Any old?


TIA
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby Woodster » 19 Dec 2018, 13:04

A mitre saw will do it if the blade is sharp enough. It may not cut wood as well afterwards though!
Last edited by Woodster on 19 Dec 2018, 15:19, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby Mike G » 19 Dec 2018, 13:07

Yep, that's easy for a normal chop saw. It makes quite a clatter as it cuts, and the shards of aluminium are quite hot for a millisecond, but it cuts cleanly and accurately.
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby Robert » 19 Dec 2018, 13:08

We always used triple chip blades for aluminium but that was cutting extrusions all day long. For home use I'd say any TCT blade with a high-ish tooth count would be ok.

Aluminium is sticky stuff when cut so keep the blade lubricated between cuts. For 1 or 2 cuts WD40 sprayed on the blade sides will do. We used paraffin with 10% any car type oil added. Spray bottle or paintbrush.
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby RogerS » 19 Dec 2018, 14:37

Thanks guys
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby Rod » 19 Dec 2018, 15:42

I’ve got a Rage Evolution for such purposes and for rough cutting.

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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby RogerS » 19 Dec 2018, 15:57

Thanks for reminding me of that one, Rod. :eusa-dance:

I used to have one along time ago but sold it. Just bought a 'B; grade one for just over £50. Will come in very handy here.
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Re: Cutting aluminium channel

Postby Woolf » 19 Dec 2018, 23:00

The best and safest blade to use has a negative hook angle. A wood blade with a positive hook angle tends to grab making it more difficult to control the cut
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