Abrasive cut-off wheel in my CMS???

[91FE]

I've got a dozen or so aluminum balusters that I need to cut down so I can finish my deck railing this weekend. Any reason I can't use one of the 12" abrasive cut-off wheels (made for metal) in my 12" CMS? Should I be worried about the high RPM's of my CMS? Gonna kill myself?

one of these guys: http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/ac...categoryID=378

[LCHIEN]

I've got a dozen or so aluminum balusters that I need to cut down so I can finish my deck railing this weekend. Any reason I can't use one of the 12" abrasive cut-off wheels (made for metal) in my 12" CMS? Should I be worried about the high RPM's of my CMS? Gonna kill myself?

one of these guys: http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/ac...categoryID=378

I think the abrasive cut off wheels are for steel, not aluminum or brass.
May even be dangerous, I recall something about the aluminum loasing up the abrasive wheels and making them fly apart (applies to Grinders, I think the technology is the same).
For aluminum or brass you want what they call non-ferrous metal cutting blades, this is the preferred blade. If not you can cut a modest amount of aluminum with a standard woodcutting blade with little wear (not how many of our brethern have cut into their miter fences with no lasting damage except to their ego...).

As for cutting on a woodcutting miter saw, I'm mixed opinions about this, it will work OK, but you'll get metal cuttings everywhere. I know some who have a dedicated miter saw just for Aluminum (Kirby). What do other's think.

[Thom2]

I think the abrasive cut off wheels are for steel, not aluminum or brass.

I agree

May even be dangerous, I recall something about the aluminum loasing up the abrasive wheels and making them fly apart (applies to Grinders, I think the technology is the same).

again, I agree

For aluminum or brass you want what they call non-ferrous metal cutting blades, this is the preferred blade. If not you can cut a modest amount of aluminum with a standard woodcutting blade with little wear (not how many of our brethern have cut into their miter fences with no lasting damage except to their ego...).

I somewhat agree, the "proper blade" would be a non-ferrous blade, however a carbide bit/blade will cut aluminum with no problems whatsoever

As for cutting on a woodcutting miter saw, I'm mixed opinions about this, it will work OK, but you'll get metal cuttings everywhere. I know some who have a dedicated miter saw just for Aluminum (Kirby). What do other's think.

again, I "somewhat" agree, while I would like to have seperate tools for cutting aluminum, I can't afford the shop space for 2 of everything. I make the shark feeders for Lee and cut (and routed) a LOT of aluminum in my shop with normal woodworking tools including, but not limited to the BT, RAS, Ridgid BS, Hitachi M12V, Ryobi RE180PL. I've been doing this for over a year and have probably cut up (and routed) at least 2 4x8 sheets of 1/8" aluminum (plus experimental stuff up to 1/4" thick) with said tools and I've experienced no tool failures yet. I'm not 'anal' about my tools, but I do try to blow everything out pretty good from time to time. I'm surely not going to advocate what I do, or the amount that I do, to anyone; but from experience I can tell you that normal woodworking tools with carbide bits/blades will function just fine, YMMV.

[LCHIEN]

I agree

again, I agree

I somewhat agree, ...

again, I "somewhat" agree,...

...but from experience I can tell you that normal woodworking tools with carbide bits/blades will function just fine, YMMV.

There you have it! from an admittedly agreeable person.

I'll admit to having actually gotten a non-ferrous metal cutting blade then being too lazy to change it and using my 80T Freud in the CMS to cut T-track to length.

[Thom2]

There you have it! from an admittedly agreeable person.

I'll admit to ...

You've just gotta be 'contrary', you just can't 'agree' tho' can ya???

[JR]

I've got a dozen or so aluminum balusters that I need to cut down so I can finish my deck railing this weekend. Any reason I can't use one of the 12" abrasive cut-off wheels (made for metal) in my 12" CMS? Should I be worried about the high RPM's of my CMS? Gonna kill myself?

Cut-off wheels can cause quite a bit of heat build up. You might not have much of a problem with aluminum, but steel will get hot. Then your plastic throat plate could melt.

DAMHIKT!!!

JR

[sacherjj]

I purchased a cheap carbide tipped 60 tooth blade from my BT and used the type of wax recommended for cutting aluminum. This worked well for cutting off chunks to mill from a 1.5" x 6" x 8" piece of 6061 Aluminum. You can cut Aluminum with the abrasive wheel, but you will prefer the carbide blade.

[meika123]

I had some trailer frames I needed to cut up, and I had been renting an Oxy/Acetylene torch to cut them. However, recently, the rental people advised me of a better way. I rented a Husqvarna cut-off saw set to do the job. I must admit, the 14" abrasive cut-off discs did a number on 8-10" high I-beams. "MUCH" faster than the torch.



What it would do on aluminum and other materials I don't know. Mine are listed for concrete and masonry.
If push came to shove, you could use a circular saw. Just put the blade on backward.

Dave in NC

[Stick]

Amen to that! I have both a metal cutting band saw and a 14" chop saw. I make about equal use of both of them, as the chop saw is portable. In any case, I use the torch a lot less these days.

[91FE]

I'm a moron (and happy to admit it)

Ok... so I got it in my head that I needed to cut these alum balusters with my CMS. I made up my mind and that was that. I followed the earlier advice and stopped by Lowes on my way home for an 80T carbide blade. I'm standing there looking at the $60 price tag and decided that 12 cuts wasn't worth $60... I'll do it with my hacksaw... maybe my sawsall. Then it hit me...

I'M TRYING TO CUT ALUMINIUM TUBING!!! Um... maybe my pipe cutter will do it

Thanks for the advice guys, but I'm feeling like a knucklehead.

[Stick]

I had it in MY head that they would be square! Sure, tubing cutter will work fine. Incidentally, when cutting or threading aluminum, WD40 works great as a cutting oil. About the only thing it's any good for anymore since the formula changed.