Aluminum Cutting and Finishing Tips?

[Graham]

I've been doing some aluminium cutting for some covers and hinges for my car but can't seem to get a nice, square cut and finish. some brief tips will really help. Please treat me as a novice, I won't be offended! Just 1 and 2mm stuff, nothing major, it just doesn't seem to live up to the finish of some of the cars here, and I don't want to let the side down...

Thanks guys :thumbsup:

Graham.

 

[Phil]

Re: Somebody HELP me, PLEASE!

Graham:
You didn't mention how you were cutting the material.
Try to cut a little outside the line, clamp the material to a piece of straight angle, steel preferred, then grind with a soft wheel such as a flap disc to the line. Nice and straight and easy to deburr.
good luck
Phil

 

[Jack]

Re: Somebody HELP me, PLEASE!

I drill a small hole at each corner after laying out the panel using a fine tip marker, then make the cut with a fairly coarse blade in a jig saw. As Phil mentioned, an angle or flatbar is clamped on and using a flapper disc is my preferred method.

Don't forget your safety glasses!

 

[Andy Green]

Re: Somebody HELP me, PLEASE!

As above, but use a 18tooth/inch jigsaw blade. Depending on the aluminium you're using it mat clot the blade, so use WD40 as a lubricant. Nothing difficult, just takes a little practice

Regards
Andy

 

[Ron Earp]

Re: Somebody HELP me, PLEASE!

Hi Graham,

In the future try and give your thread title a meaningful name that will help future users and the search engine as the "Somebody help me please" won't assist someone looking for aluminum cutting tips.

Not picking on you at all, I'm just trying to help out a bit. I'll change the name of this thread and try and get it into an appropriate technical forum.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[JimmyMac]

What is up with using french chalk and a suitable metal file ?

 

[Jac Mac]

What is up with using french chalk and a suitable metal file ?

James, surely your not suggesting that the poor chap resort to 'manual' labour, his next post will be a cry for help as to what lotion to apply to his blisters....