Cutting rails

[victorm385]

I need to cut 10" off a set of rails for my BT3100. What do I use to make the cut?

Also, 10" pieces aren't much, but, if anyone wants them they can have them for the postage.

[JimD]

I went the slow route with mine and used my Bosch jig saw (with a metal cutting blade). You could also use a reciprocating saw if you are carefull. A hacksaw would work. Some cut aluminum on a CMS or the BT but I did not want to risk damaging a blade.

Jim

[LCHIEN]

I went the slow route with mine and used my Bosch jig saw (with a metal cutting blade). You could also use a reciprocating saw if you are carefull. A hacksaw would work. Some cut aluminum on a CMS or the BT but I did not want to risk damaging a blade.

Jim

That pretty much covers it.
I'd personally not hesitate to cut two rails on my CMS.
The carbide teeth go through aluminum like butter,
you'll have beautiful square-end cuts with clean edges (unlike a hacksaw),
just be prepared to clean up.

[LarryG]

I'd personally not hesitate to cut two rails on my CMS.
The carbide teeth go through aluminum like butter

+1 on this. I have actually used my CMS to cut a set of BT rails, as well as other aluminum extrusions like T-bolt track. I did use the stock blade (Delta) rather than the much better Forre$t Chopma$ter that is normally on the saw, but it worked beautifully.

One important point: clamp the rails down securely. There will be a tendency for them to self-feed (move laterally) into the spinning blade, which could result in an unsquare cut. Clamping will prevent that.

[steve-norrell]

A use for those 10" rails . . .

I need to cut 10" off a set of rails for my BT3100. What do I use to make the cut?

Also, 10" pieces aren't much, but, if anyone wants them they can have them for the postage.

I had my extension rails cut to 10" and 31" (by a friend with a band saw). I used the hinge sets from T-Nuts to attach the 10" rails to left side and the new length comfortably holds an accessory table and SMT. The extension can be folded down when necessary.

I also used a piece of a steel bar (attached with machine nuts to the small t-slot on the outside of the rear rail), about 1/8 x 1/2 x 6(L) to stiffen the hinged joint. This is in addition to the rail extension hardware that come from Ryobi or third party vendors.

Regards.

[drumpriest]

Split mine with another fellow, cut them with a CMS. I've also done a TON of cutting of aluminium with a SCMS. It does indeed cut with little issue.

I did use a fairly cheap carbide tipped blade though, as I didn't want to ruin my good freud blades.

[Rob R]

yup...use your chop saw with the cheapest/least used blade you have. any carbide blade will cut it easily