Special Chop Saw (Cutoff) Wheel for Aluminum?

[shopnut]

Hey folks,

I just bought a 14" abrasive cutoff saw and I was wondering what kind of wheel I need for cutting aluminum materials. The wheels I have seen state either metal or masonary but I haven't found any that say non-ferrous. Any suggestions on where to get them?

Thanks in advance.

 

[davejs]

I use a metal blade for cutting Aluminum and brass at work. It lasts a long time and morons even cut metal with it. It is made by Dewalt so it is expensive 70 teeth carbide tips.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I use the same blade to cut all metals. I worried at first that ferrous particles would get into the aluminum pieces I cut, but that doesn't seem to be the case. I think that is because the blade itself abrades away and doesn't keep much in the way of dross from cutting embedded in it.

I bought a cheapy HF unit on sale for $49. It seems to work fine, though I am very careful about where and how I use it as it clearly isn't the highest quality. But I don't use it every day (or I would have bought a better quality saw) and so for me it was a good deal.

-Will

 

[shopnut]

I bought a cheapy HF unit on sale for $49. It seems to work fine, though I am very careful about where and how I use it as it clearly isn't the highest quality. But I don't use it every day (or I would have bought a better quality saw) and so for me it was a good deal.

-Will

I probably bought the same one yesterday - couldn't pass on the price!

I will give the metal cutting wheel a try. I thought it would clog up like a grinder wheel does, but you're right, the wheel is simply wearing away as it works.

Thanks.

 

[Fuzzydog]

I was wondering about that recently myself - I read in a woodworking magazine where they suggested cutting some aluminum with the regular carbide tipped woodworking tablesaw blade. At first that seemed a bit odd, but when you consider it - the carbide blade is way harder than the aluminum and as long as you go relatively slow it shouldn't reduce blade life too much...

 

[zr1nsx]

I am a Tool@Die Maker and can tell you from experience that cutting aluminum with a abrasive type wheel or blade is a lost cause. Develops way to much heat which causes the aluminum to soften up and load the pores of the abrasive. Use a common carbide finishing blade to cut aluminum. A little kerosene or WD-40 as a coolant-lubricant will increase the life of the blade 10 times over, and the cut will look much cleaner.

 

[Remi]

I don't know about 14" blades. I know that Freud makes a 12" aluminum blade. But if you want the best, get a "Forest" blade.

 

[bahamasair]

I do aluminum fence for a living and cut up to 1 1/4" thick aluminum all day with a regular wood finish blade. I can get up to 6 months with one blade easy and have never bothered using lube to keep anything cool.

 

[D-Cal]

I have cut 2"-2.5" cast aluminum tubes & elbows with a 10" abrasive wheel in a chop saw, no problem. Was doing turbo install.

 

[RWD]

I do aluminum fence for a living and cut up to 1 1/4" thick aluminum all day with a regular wood finish blade. I can get up to 6 months with one blade easy and have never bothered using lube to keep anything cool.

Got to agree here. I'm a carpenter and install aluminum windows for a living and all we use are regular carbide tipped blades in the miter box, Skill saw, and table saw. We get anywhere from 1 to 3 months out of a blade but it gets a LOT of use every day.

 

[rdagger]

I have a 10" non-ferrous Freud Diablo blade (D1080N) in my compound miter saw and it works great for cutting angle and bar aluminum. It is also good for polycarbonate and plastics.

 

[comp]

I have a 10" non-ferrous Freud Diablo blade (D1080N) in my compound miter saw and it works great for cutting angle and bar aluminum. It is also good for polycarbonate and plastics.

where did you buy ???

 

[rdagger]

where did you buy ???

Amazon (It is on sale for $28.94) plus there is a 10% of coupon code this week: TOOLDAYS

 

[comp]

Amazon (It is on sale for $28.94) plus there is a 10% of coupon code this week: TOOLDAYS

thanks

 

[David Chisholm]

I have cut 2"-2.5" cast aluminum tubes & elbows with a 10" abrasive wheel in a chop saw, no problem. Was doing turbo install.

This is David Chisholm,
I have used 14 inch Aluminum cutting abrasive wheels on my 14 inch Makita Chop Saw for years. They left a mirror finish, cut dry, very quickly and did not load up the wheels. Unfortunately my original supply of wheels are depleted and the manufacturer no longer exists.
Where can I get some more in less than 100 quantity in the United States, or at least in the Western World? I have done an extensive but fruitless Web search and all I have discovered is that they seem to be available from China in 5000 minimum quantity.
Thanks for your advice
David Chisholm
3D Shop Technician
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Washington University in St. Louis

 

[scott37300]

This is David Chisholm,
I have used 14 inch Aluminum cutting abrasive wheels on my 14 inch Makita Chop Saw for years. They left a mirror finish, cut dry, very quickly and did not load up the wheels. Unfortunately my original supply of wheels are depleted and the manufacturer no longer exists.
Where can I get some more in less than 100 quantity in the United States, or at least in the Western World? I have done an extensive but fruitless Web search and all I have discovered is that they seem to be available from China in 5000 minimum quantity.
Thanks for your advice
David Chisholm
3D Shop Technician
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Washington University in St. Louis

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