Cut Aluminum With A Bandsaw?

[Derek Arita]

Can I cut cast aluminum with a non-carbide blade?

[Bruce Page]

Yes, I’ve done it many times including 1 1/4 plate on a Delta 14”. Just don’t feed too quickly.

[Lee Schierer]

I would say maybe depending upon the thickness of the casting. It will make a considerable mess of metal flakes through out your saw.

[Derek Arita]

I would say maybe depending upon the thickness of the casting. It will make a considerable mess of metal flakes through out your saw.

I think it's about 1/8" in the thick parts. I'll clean up the saw after. Too bad...it's a brand new saw.

[Lee Schierer]

I think it's about 1/8" in the thick parts. I'll clean up the saw after. Too bad...it's a brand new saw.

A hack saw might be quicker overall.

[Melvin Feng]

a jigsaw with a bimetal blade would be good enough for a rough cut.

[Tom M King]

I bought a cheap Ryobi 12” miter saw off CL and have a 12” aluminum cutting blade on it. It does a pretty job, but makes such a mess that I carry it outside to use

[Derek Cohen]

I built tracksaw hinges for an MFT. The Aluminium is 6mm thick, and was cut with a bandsaw and grooves were routed with a carbide bit. Aluminium works like wood, but cleaning up afterwards is a pain as the shavings go everywhere.



The 20mm thick aluminium extrusion fence was also sawn on the bandsaw.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Alex Zeller]

If small enough to fit I use a sliding chop saw with a carbide tooth blade. It makes a very clean cut. But you'll need to wear eye glasses and hearing protection. Just don't cut too fast.

[Bruce Page]

Yes, I’ve done it many times including 1 1/4 plate on a Delta 14”. Just don’t feed too quickly.

I found some old pics of the aluminum table I made for my old Delta bandsaw 20+ years ago. Looking at the pics, the plate looks to be 1.5” thick, (CRS). I didn’t have any issues cutting the plate but as mentioned, it made a hell of a mess. I spent a good bit of time cleaning the tires with a brass brush.

[Mel Fulks]

They failed to say that spraying on denatured alcohol makes for faster ,neater work.

[Derek Arita]

I found some old pics of the aluminum table I made for my old Delta bandsaw 20+ years ago. Looking at the pics, the plate looks to be 1.5” thick, (CRS). I didn’t have any issues cutting the plate but as mentioned, it made a hell of a mess. I spent a good bit of time cleaning the tires with a brass brush.

Ya, that's my only reservation about using the bandsaw...I have concerns about particles becoming embedded in the tires. I do have a handheld metal bandsaw, however the cut has to be very accurate and it will be difficult to do with the handheld saw.

[Carl Beckett]

Metal shops cut with the bandsaw regularly. Consider what blade to use as the single biggest factor. Then feed/speeds are normally slower than wood. But the answer is yes, absolutely. (as mentioned, aluminum cuts on the miter, circ, or tablesaw even, given some consideration for blade type)

[John TenEyck]

Gotta friend with a CNC?

John

[Derek Arita]

I've got a drill/mill, but have only used it as a drill. Using it as a mill would require the purchase of more accessories that would send me down a whole new road.