Topic: diomond plate or aluminum

[leadslead]

whats the easyest way to cut it it's 1/8 to 1/4 thick  i have a grinder jig saw ??/

[Feather Head]

The best I have found is a band saw with an aluminum blade

[larry reddinger]

plasma cutter works great if you have one

[Burwell555]

If you say you have a grinder and a jig saw, I would opt for the grinder and a good stainless cut off wheel, unless you have corners or inside edges to cut. The use the jig saw, but put a piece of duct tape on the back side of the aluminum as long or longer than the cut. Helps to keep things from stickin up

[wulfy01]

Put wax on whatever blade you are using! It keeps the blade from loading up with aluminum.  I have never used a jig saw but it may work.  Lennox makes a really good wax but its tough to find around me. I have used a wax toilet ring in a pinch and it works almost as good and it is cheap.  More is better, wax often.  Good luck and I hope this helps.

[leadslead]

ok thanx for info don't have a plasma cutter ill try the wax trick

[oldfordman21]

 A skill saw with any kind of carbide tipped blade will cut it like wood. That is all I have ever used. I have built several blower manifolds and have cut up to 1in. with no problem. You don't need wax or tape, just cut it. Most blades now are carbide. Wear some goggles because the pieces will fly. We have a plasma and on some jobs,I prefer the saw.

[rotten ron]

I have cut one inch thick plate with a carbide blade on a skill saw,It looks like a snow storm and it does make some noise but it works great and takes a while to make the blade dull

[TeamMurray]

I have used all the above to cut 1/8" & 1/4" aluminum.  If you have a variable speed jig saw, just put a metal cutting blade in and go to cutting.  I also use a belt sander to remove any sharp burs and to smooth the edges.  

[Rooster]

In our multi-million dollar machine shop i have used many methods to cut it, my preffered method...

A skill saw with any kind of carbide tipped blade will cut it like wood. That is all I have ever used. I have built several blower manifolds and have cut up to 1in. with no problem. You don't need wax or tape, just cut it. Most blades now are carbide. Wear some goggles because the pieces will fly. We have a plasma and on some jobs,I prefer the saw.

Good, fast, straight cuts!

unless you have corners or inside edges to cut. The use the jig saw,

[Bolens16]

1mm cutoff disc in a disc grinder works great for me when cutting 1/8" to 1/4" aluminium

[snopro9584]

I cut aluminim plate down for customers for a living and I know you wont have a quarter million dollar plate saw sitting in your garage but the skil saw would be the best way. It is the closet to what we do. It will be extremely loud but should work out for you. Like oldfordman21 said opt for a good carbide blade.

[BIG AL 202]

whats the easyest way to cut it it's 1/8 to 1/4 thick  i have a grinder jig saw ??/

TELL THE FRIEND THAT SAYS "IF YOU EVER NEED ANY HELP" I NEED THIS CUT! LOL

[leadslead]

yea i did that but i felt guilty

[BIG AL 202]

I HEAR YA, BUT IT SOUNDS GOOD!