[modeleng] Re: Cutting aluminium DANGER !!!!

Beware it can be done but is DANGEROUS, take my word for it !!!!
A normal wood saw is UNSUITABLE for this as the teeth don't have the correct
form and will grab the aluminium and draw it into the saw which can lead to
severe injuries. It should certainly not be attempted on a bench saw where
the work piece has no back up support. I am not making this up I have seen
the results, for both man and machine, walking into the shop where I work. 
Aluminium can be sawn with tip toothed saws at high speeds but the teeth
have a special form. They have a negative top rake and have alternative a
teeth which is full with and one which is cornered off. This in order to
make the cuttings produced narrower as the cut so it will not jam in the
groove. As for lubrication paraffin is good but smelly and messy there are
sticks a bit like candle wax, which also works, specially for this.
The same special saw can be used for brass and the like as well.
Light steel profiles can bee done the same way but again with a special
adapted saw.
Regards
Wilfried Vermeiren
http://users.skynet.be/modelbouw.wilfried



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