Thread: how to cut aluminium cleanly??

I'm not convinced its the blade that's causing the problem. What TS are you using?, fence setup etc?.

My current aluminium cutting blade is a CMT, 235mm, triple chip grind, 6 degree neg. rake, 48 teeth. I agree with Jack that the blade you've linked to appears to be negative rake. I can't understand why you're not getting a relatively clean cut from it regardless of what you paid for it. Makes me wonder whether there is something else going on. Have you tried cutting a piece of timber with it?

Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71

I'm not convinced its the blade that's causing the problem. What TS are you using?, fence setup etc?.

He’s using a mitre saw.

Other possible problems? Blade on backwards. Incorrect or no arbor bushing used (assuming the arbor isn’t 30mm).

Originally Posted by jack620

He’s using a mitre saw.

Other possible problems? Blade on backwards. Incorrect or no arbor bushing used (assuming the arbor isn’t 30mm).

Blade on backwards would give similar results to what he's reporting.

Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71

I'm not convinced its the blade that's causing the problem. What TS are you using?, fence setup etc?.

your are correct. i just went to the shed to have a look, guess what, blade is on damn backwards.

IM A BIG BLOODY

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Originally Posted by wozzzzza

your are correct. i just went to the shed to have a look, guess what, blade is on damn backwards.

IM A BIG BLOODY

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We've all done it lol.

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth, also eliminating the most obvious first is always a good place to start.

Elementary my dear Beaver.

Originally Posted by EagerBeaver71

We've all done it lol.

i saw old blade writing pointing out, so i just threw the new one on writing pointing out without thinking.

Originally Posted by BobL

This is the same blade I have for both my TS and SCMS.
BOSCH 305mm 100T TCT Circular Saw Blade for Multi-Purpose Cutting - MULTIMATERIAL | Total Tools

I see the prices have gone up horrendously.
I bough the one for the TS 15 years ago and I think it cost me $90. The blade for my SCMS cost $120 about 3 years ago.
It does a great job on Al and plastics. It will even cut wood - slowly and very smoothly.

BobL,

What sort of materials will it cut?

Originally Posted by jack620

Looking at the blade in wozzza’s link, it does appear to have negative rake on the teeth.

I think the issue might just be the quality of the blade. $30 doesn’t get you much in a 10” aluminium blade.

Thanks Jack, that blade should work OK. Maybe try slowing down the feed rate?

Originally Posted by BobL

Maybe try slowing down the feed rate?

All sorted Bob. He had the blade on backwards. So does a negative rake blade installed backwards have a positive rake?

Blade on backwards - its not the first time this has happened - It even happened to an experienced woodie on this site who seems to have evaporated.

Negative rake applies to the forward facing face of the tooth - when on backwards in practice it becomes a hyper negative rake which will still cut but will get super hot hence the excess galling.

this is all i can say.
learn from my stuff up
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