Thread: How do I....

Originally Posted by 2sheds

Hi all,

I need to cut a 110mm wide roll of aluminium flashing into two 55mm strips.
The roll is approx. 125mm dia.

Regards, Peter

Sounds like a job a 4x6 metal bandsaw could do.

Rob

Hi Peter,
Is it tightly rolled? If so the drop saw would be what i would use.

Ew

Why not just cut it with a normal hacksaw? Wrap a layer of masking tape to stop it unrolling, and mark the cut all the way around on the tape.
Rotate it every so often as you cut to make sure you are going straight.

Ray

I had to do something similar once and end up making a simple slitter using a Stanley blade and pulling the foil past the blade mounted in a bar and then onto a second drum and then just keep winding. One roll into two. took a bit to set up and only took a few minutes to cut.

R

Thank you for your suggestions. The main difficulty with most sawing options is how to firmly hold the relatively narrow roll, hence the mitre box idea.
Guess I could put it in a vice. doesn't really matter if it the roll gets squashed.

Thanks again. Peter.

Hi Peter,
Drop saw doesn't sound good to me, but Horses for courses.
I wood wrap the Roll up tight, tape it up approx. middle of what will be each roll. Put another tape around the middle, measure & mark the centre.
Wooden " V" Block, if needed, & cut with the Bandsaw, 6tpi. wood be better than 4tpi.
I wood also use a piece of Ply/ Mdf, as like most Saws the centre plastic is a mile wide, & this will reduce the cut to be a bit better.
Have fun with this.

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Peter,
Drop saw doesn't sound good to me, but Horses for courses.

+1

Not on soft aluminium.

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

+1

Not on soft aluminium.

Rob

Ever tried it? As long as it is rolled up tight it will be fine. If it is not tight though any form of power cutting will be a problem.

Ew

Originally Posted by Ueee

Ever tried it? As long as it is rolled up tight it will be fine. If it is not tight though any form of power cutting will be a problem.

Ew

No, I've never tried it.

I may have misunderstood your terminology - I was thinking chop saw type drop saw (with a friction disc).

If you mean use a saw blade in the drop saw then that would be OK provided it was not too coarse, although I think a BS would be less prone to tearing.

Rob

Definitely a miter saw with tct blade, I have no idea how a friction saw would go, but I wouldnt try it!
Ew

Totally agree on that.

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by Ueee

Definitely a miter saw with tct blade, I have no idea how a friction saw would go, but I wouldnt try it!
Ew

A high count negative rake toothed blade will made it easier.
Lubing blade with hard wax (several times) will help a lot.
I've watched my BIL ally boat builder do this with solid ally bar and tube a few times.
The swarf is nasty, - I suggest using a full face shield and a snood head cover.

Originally Posted by Ueee

Definitely a miter saw with tct blade, I have no idea how a friction saw would go, but I wouldnt try it!
Ew

From my experience with friction cutting sheet aluminium, it will be all bad - the layers of flashing will get fused at the cutting face.

i have heard of them cutting roofing iron with the old style none TCT blades but with the blade in the wrong way round , as in teeth facing the other way , not as savage .maybe that would work .

johno