Cutting Aluminum Sheet Clean

Probably the preferred method for cutting intricate or thick aluminum the water jet focus a very thin stream of water mixed with abrasives at extraordinary pressures and very high speed into the sheet metal.

Cutting aluminum sheet clean.

This jet of water eats away at the metal and leaving a clean smooth edge. With the aid of a straight edge and a sharp knife score both sides of the aluminium sheet. Clamp or hold a straightedge or square along the cutting marks and score a line with the tip of a sharp utility knife blade. Sheet aluminium can be cut without the need for a guillotine or tin snips which tend to deform the metal.

And you can use the same technique anytime you need a straight cut on aluminum or other light gauge sheet metal even steel. A common problem seen plasma cutting aluminum is that you may not get a clean cut and have to spend a lot of time cleaning the edge down. If possible choose a saw blade that creates narrow kerfs the notch or slot made by the saw. Then bend the sheet back and forth a few times to snap it.

This is primarily due to the type of gas you are using. Select a fine toothed blade and don t cut aluminum with a wall thickness of more than 1 4 inch 0 64 cm. If you have an air compressor one option is an air powered cutoff tool. You may think of your router as a tool only for woodworking but chris marshall explains how you can use it for metal pieces as well.

He shows the jig he use. Place the fracture line over the edge of a table and bend the overhang slightly downwards. Kevin caron is cutting 16 gauge 5051 soft aluminum and it s a little too thick for tinsnips so he needs to use a power tool. To cut the sheets of metal rathe.