2 questions

[rocky brown]

a) will i ruin my sawblade if i cut a couple of small pieces of aluminum with it?

2) my biesemeyer fence is becoming progressively harder to slide- what should i grease the rail with?

thanks!

rb

[glenn bradley]

a) will i ruin my sawblade if i cut a couple of small pieces of aluminum with it?

2) my biesemeyer fence is becoming progressively harder to slide- what should i grease the rail with?

thanks!

rb

Many folks here cut aluminum with their carbide blades. I have not done so yet but I don't think I'd hesitate from the advice given here.

Your Bies rails should be waxed WEEKLY. Primarily the bare steel machined area on the front rail. I use Johnson's Paste Wax. Slides like a dream. Wax the top of your saw while you're at it. I do that monthly; never seen a lick of rust.

[keith ouellette]

I would use a fine blade like one for ply wood.

[scott spencer]

It can't be great for keeping a blade sharp so wouldn't use an expensive blade to cut aluminum, but it'll work.

Glenn pointed out that Biese recommends a weekly waxing...admittedly, I do it more "periodically". :D

[Bruce Benjamin]

Bear grease is supposed to be very effective but whale oil is supposed to be even better if you can get it. :rolleyes:

Bruce

[Roger Newby]

Wear ear plugs or muffs, you're going to get a bunch of noise from the aluminum.

[Bruce Benjamin]

Wear ear plugs or muffs, you're going to get a bunch of noise from the aluminum.

If you want to keep from damaging your hearing you'll wear some sort of hearing protection no matter what you're cutting.

Bruce

[Gary Keedwell]

If you want to keep from damaging your hearing you'll wear some sort of hearing protection no matter what you're cutting.

Bruce
In the spirit of your previous post....do I need to wear it when I cut up some cheese:confused:
Gary K.

[Bruce Benjamin]

In the spirit of your previous post....do I need to wear it when I cut up some cheese:confused:
Gary K.


Uh, I don't know? How loud are you when you cut the cheese?:confused:

Bruce

[rocky brown]

thanks for the input, guys. turns out i don't need to cut the aluminum but it's nice to know for future reference. i got some paste wax for the table top and rail today so i'm good to go:)

thanks again,
rb

[Roy Hatch]

Rocky, When I first started woodworking, I cut the top of a formica kitchen table trimmed with aluminum to make something for my shop. The blade suffered no ill effect. This is not to say that all aluminum is created equal. I would not be surprised if some alloys are much harder than others.

Roy