Cutting 7050 aluminum

[Diabolic]

Can .500" 7050 Aluminum plate be cut at home using a jig saw and a metal blade? I have a small Vortech bracket I was wanting to cut out. No crazy shapes, just the rqadius of the S-Trim. Can I cut that at home with my jig saw or does it require a machine shop?

[turbostang]

Anything is possible, but it's what you're willing to endure to make it happen - lol.


Yes, you can cut it with a jig saw. You'd need something like 18-24 TPI blades and a can of WD40. If you don't use the WD, the aluminum will gum up on the blade and stop cutting.

[Matt]

We use wax for the blade to help with gumming.

[Diabolic]

I put that gold antisieze on my burs when porting aluminum to keep it from sticking. Think it would work the same on a saw blade?

[Matt]

It should...

[NoClassic]

I have also always used white paraffin wax like matt mentioned. Seems like antisieze should work but I can imagine would make a bit of a mess. The wax just sweeps up with the rest of the shavings.

[CJ]

Use a band saw.

[Matt]

I have also always used white paraffin wax like matt mentioned. Seems like antisieze should work but I can imagine would make a bit of a mess. The wax just sweeps up with the rest of the shavings.

This is exactly why I believe it is the best method. Any type of lubricant or liquid putty style is a pain in the arse to clean up.

[Matt]

Use a band saw.

I'm assuming he doesnt have a band saw at home.

[CJ]

I'm assuming he doesnt have a band saw at home.

What a bitch.

[Diabolic]

So you just buy a candle stick and saw through it as you cut?

[Matt]

So you just buy a candle stick and saw through it as you cut?

Yeah, They also sell blocks of it. I'm not sure where we get ours from.

EDIT: But since you are doing this at home and it's not very much cutting. Just get an old candle from inside your house and use that.

[Redd]

hmm never thought bout wax..

I know you can get blocks of wax at albertsons. I used to get it when I skated. Worked better than the stuff at the skate shops and cheaper

[sosoe]

Yeah, They also sell blocks of it. I'm not sure where we get ours from.

EDIT: But since you are doing this at home and it's not very much cutting. Just get an old candle from inside your house and use that.

Just send him a PM and let him use your machine ?

[turbostang]

If you're using the wax type of method - bar soap works good too.