Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bruce Cobo on January 17, 2016 at 8:07pm

use a fine tooth blade and it will cut like butter

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Witham on January 17, 2016 at 8:17pm

John, as Bruce states, fine blades work well.  I use a variable 10-14 TPI bi-metal blade that is 1/2" wide, many fine woodworking blades are narrower, not that narrow is bad but for doing straight cuts the wider blade tracks well and you can rip through parts fast without fighting blade tracking / straightness.  I also leave a little margin for clean up on the belt sander / files.

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Cere on January 17, 2016 at 8:35pm

I use fine tooth blade but also use a lube stick, the one I use is made by "Walter" and called COOLCUT LUBE STICK. realy makes cutting easy and keeps the alumimum chips from sticking to the teeth on your blade

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Permalink Reply by John Waters on January 18, 2016 at 6:12am

   Thank you, Bruce, Darrell, and Joseph! I'll be picking up a new blade today.

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Permalink Reply by Perry Delano on January 18, 2016 at 12:01pm

Hi John,

I use an 18 TPI on a 14" bandsaw, with good results.  When cutting multiple "L" angle pieces I use a short piece of 2X4 Oak block with a couple of 1" deep slots cut longitudinally and others cut perpendicular through to the longitudinal cuts but not beyond. Sometimes using and end stop screwed to the block to cut numerous small parts of the same length, or without to support the thin material.  

I was told the finer blade would clog up but have not found that to be true, and would lean towards even a finer blade, but that might be pushing the limit. Coarser blades I use for plywood and softwood work OK on thicker AL material when I just happen to have that blade installed.

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