Welding Tips and Tricks

Hey everyone, I have been looking on this forum for a while now and I finally signed up
I have had a bit of a look around and haven't found heaps on this subject. What I would like to know is what you guys cut you aluminium shs and rhs with? I am needing to make some frames and i'm not really set up for cutting aluminium at home. Would a mitre saw with an aluminium blade be a good option? I would love a brobo saw or even a band saw but they're just a bit too expensive right now.

Thanks in advance
cheers from Aus

Hey cob, welcome to the show.

You are on the right track with the mitre saw. If your material isnt that thick or big, you can get away with the wood blade, then step up to a metal cutting "dry" blade. Also you can get a dry lube block that is rubbed on the blade to make things go better.

Mick

Ps what part of aus? Im in bendigo vic.

Welcome to the forum.

I use an abrasive cut off saw for bar stock, a cordless 5" power hand saw with aluminum cutting blade for sheet.

thanks everyone for the welcome, good to know i'm on the right track. Any sort of blade you guys recommend?
Mike i'm in Rylstone NSW (Near Mudgee?), I'm a second year apprentice for a local engineering business.

cheers

You can cut Aluminum with just about any carbide tipped wood blade in a circular saw or miter saw. On SHS you're better off if you can clamp it in it's diamond edge.

Len

Nice country up that way I hear. My uncle and aunt spent time managing a caravan park at Muswellbrook. Do you have plenty of work on? And are you on Facebook?

Mick

Pretend aluminum is a hardwood. Watch out for the chips !
Dry is better. A little slower rpm(if you can) makes managing the flying chips easier.

Yes, the chips are hot and they seem to stick where they land, usually on your cheek or eyelids.

Len

Thanks for all the replies, I guess all that's left to do is cut some aluminium
yeah Mike very nice country up here, plenty on at work. More than enough to keep busy haha. Yeah I've got facebook mate, have you got a page setup?

cheers

Yeah mate, im an admin for the awesome boileys page. Fun page with a crazy side. I like this forum for the informative, laid back crew, and facebook for fast paced give and take.

The awesome boileys page is great, some really cool stuff one there

Glad you like it. Ben started it, Brendan and Bryan ran it for a while , then I came on the scene, kept her going for while, whilst moderating here, now we've got a good crew back together.

On a side note (lol) hows your ali going?

Mick

Use a dedicated carbide blade for aluminum.

I have had this blade for over a year and I cut aluminum with it every day. Don't need to put anything on this one. Just clean the gullets every few months or so.

Freud D1296N Diablo 12-Inch 96 Tooth TCG Non-Ferrous Metal and Plastic Cutting Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor

Smooth as silk.