There are many different ways to cut aluminium. This includes traditional methods like sawing as well as newer options like waterjet or plasma cutting. It is important to choose the right option for your needs. As a top supplier of aluminium sawn plate with options like H111 and more, we want to offer some tips. They will help people to understand how to saw the metal.
Tools
The most important factor to keep in mind here is you need the right tools for sawing. They must be suitable for the material you are dealing with. Keep the characteristics in mind and the thickness.
One thing a lot of people ask is if they can saw aluminium with a wood blade. Naturally you will probably think you can’t. However, the metal has very high machinability. That means it does not take a huge amount of effort to cut it in most cases. Depending on the situation, a wood saw could do the job for you.
There are some important things to keep in mind here though. Firstly, you must ensure you have a suitable saw blade. Carbide blades are the best choice because they are strong and won’t wear as quickly. Secondly, make sure you select the right TPI (tooth per inch). For thicker aluminium sawn plate, whether it is H111 or other options, choose blades with a higher density of teeth. This could be as much as six per inch.
The best thing here is there is a huge amount of choice when it comes to saw blades. They can vary from relatively small ones for hand tools to massive machine driven ones for big plates. It all depends on what you are cutting.
Circular saws
You can do precision cutting with circular saws in many cases. What you need here is a suitable cutting disc. Again it must be strong enough to get through the aluminium and have a sufficient TPI. You need to be careful though because discs can jam when you cut through thick plate. It can cause them to overheat and they can shatter spectacularly.
Proper cutting
Whatever you do, when it comes to cutting aluminium with any kind of saw, you need to think about safety and how to get the best results. For example, aluminium tends to stick to cutting blades. You need to think about this and make sure the metal is securely in place so it won’t move.
It is a very good idea to use cutting oil when you work with aluminium. It can reduce the risk of the blade catching and getting clogged with debris. In addition, it will help to cool everything. It can create much better cuts and addresses major safety concerns.
Talking about safety, anyone sawing aluminium should wear proper PPE. Goggles are important to protect against shrapnel and metal dust. Gloves are vital too, but you need to ensure they are not loose.
Taking a break between cuts can also help massively. The idea here is you give the saw blade time to cool down before you start using it again. It can result in a better cut and reduce the risk of the tool breaking.
Do you want to order H111 aluminium sawn plate or other metals?
At Brindley Metals, we offer a massive selection of metal so we can cater for most needs. Our product range is unique because we have materials suitable for a huge number of applications as well as niche options. You should be able to find what you need with us, and we are happy to give suggestions too.
So, if you need aluminium sawn plate, such as H111 or other types, or want to learn more about the other materials we offer, please get in touch. We’ll help you get what you need.