cutting square aluminum tubes
 

I need to cut some square aluminum tubing, 1 inch x1 inch thinwall. Any suggestions on how to use my chop saw or table saw to get nice square ends ? Will an abrasive disc clog ? Carbide tipped saw blade with lots of teeth work?

Thanks Mike B

Chop saw will work fine.. :thumbup:

I'm in the process of building an aluminum boat and recently bought a 10" Chop Saw blade for cutting aluminum and non-ferrous metals at Home Depot. It was about 49 bucks. Be warned when you use it, wear eye and face protection, cause chips go everywhere!
TR

You can actually use wood working tools to cut aluminum. A miter saw with a carbide combination blade will do a very good job. I have seen guys run sheets of aluminum through a table saw. Kinda scares me.

Do protect your face and eyes though.

When I ran a alum shop, We would cut alum sheet's with a skill saw all the time..With a good blade.. :D

I PROTECTION IS A MUST !!!!! :pain:

I use my DeWalt chop saw with a metal abrasive blade to cut aluminum tube without any problems. Incidentally, I also recently cut these 1/8" thick (and approx 16x20 dimensions) aluminum inserts for my upholstery project using a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a normal abrasive cutting blade.

And as others have noted...wear eye protection. I always use a full face mask myself...I don't like collecting metal particles in my fillings.

http://hotrodders.com/journal_photos...2554040621.jpg

Cutting Alum Tubing
 

Thanks all for the advice, headed out to the shop with safety glasses and a 10 inch abrasive disc..... we shall see what happens..Mike B

Somebody go check on oldcpecdr...he's not in from the shop yet!!!!!!

Worked great !!!
 

OK project worked out great....thanks for all the help..and the concern C-Boy :)

Mike B

Project Finished and installed
 

Thanks for all the suggestions, thought I should post the finished project..the prices I got for signs were RIDICULOUS...so I made up the frames and they came out ok...the acrylic was more of a challenge to cut then the aluminum..

Thanks again ...Mike B