cutting metal

[amdx]

On 7/30/2017 12:43 AM, RichD wrote:

On July 28, Tom Biasi wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.
Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?

OK, are hackasaws rated? Do I need to look for a specific
rating for this job?

--
Rich

If you don't have vise, or some clamps to hold your metal firmly,
you will have a tough time with a hack saw. If you do it with a hacksaw
you want as many Teeth per in (TPI) as you can find.
You want to nick the edge with your blade, just as a slight guide to
hold the blade on your line, but then you want to engage as many teeth
in the metal as you can. Meaning a shallow angle.
Again, I would just use a box knife, a ruler and square if it was
available, if not just a knife and ruler.
Mikek

 

On Sat, 29 Jul 2017 22:47:10 -0700 (PDT), RichD
<r_delaney2001@yahoo.com> wrote:

On July 28, Tom Biasi wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut it in two, that is, a
straight 2" cut.

If I had a lot to cut I would put an aluminum cutting blade in the chop
saw.

Never used one.
What is the specific purpose of a chop saw?

A chop saw is used for cutting material quickly. The saw is mounted on
an arm that pivots down when pressure is applied by the operator's
hand. The ones for wood usually also allow the arm to be set at an
angle to the fence on the saw so that repeated angle cuts can be made,
like when a bunch of molding needs miter cuts. Some even allow for
compound cuts, with the arm twisting as well as being set at an angle
to the fence.
Eric

 

[default]

On 30 Jul 2017 10:53:03 GMT, Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> wrote:

On 2017-07-28, RichD <r_delaney2001@yahoo.com> wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

a 32tpi blade in a hacksaw should work fine,
tin snips in a pinch, but might be a struggle.
also a carbide tipped blade in a circular saw at slow feed rate, but very noisy

and wear eye protection...

 

[George Herold]

On Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1:43:28 AM UTC-4, RichD wrote:

On July 28, Tom Biasi wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.
Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?

OK, are hackasaws rated? Do I need to look for a specific
rating for this job?

--
Rich

I'm sorry the strip is 2" wide 0.05 thick, how long is it?
Hacksaw will do ~4-6" in length?
I'm guessing you don't have a band saw.

George H.

 

[George Herold]

On Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 9:41:43 PM UTC-4, George Herold wrote:

On Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1:43:28 AM UTC-4, RichD wrote:
On July 28, Tom Biasi wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.
Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?

OK, are hackasaws rated? Do I need to look for a specific
rating for this job?

--
Rich

I'm sorry the strip is 2" wide 0.05 thick, how long is it?
Hacksaw will do ~4-6" in length?
I'm guessing you don't have a band saw.

George H.

(oh, I guess you can turn a hacksaw sideways... I haven't done that in
a while.)
GH

 

[Tom Biasi]

On 8/2/2017 9:44 PM, George Herold wrote:

On Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 9:41:43 PM UTC-4, George Herold wrote:
On Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1:43:28 AM UTC-4, RichD wrote:
On July 28, Tom Biasi wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.
Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?

OK, are hackasaws rated? Do I need to look for a specific
rating for this job?

--
Rich

I'm sorry the strip is 2" wide 0.05 thick, how long is it?
Hacksaw will do ~4-6" in length?
I'm guessing you don't have a band saw.

George H.

(oh, I guess you can turn a hacksaw sideways... I haven't done that in
a while.)
GH

He said he wants to cut it in half in the 2 inch direction.

 

[Ralph Mowery]

In article <oltvoj$3i5$1@dont-email.me>, tombiasi@optonline.net says...

I'm sorry the strip is 2" wide 0.05 thick, how long is it?
Hacksaw will do ~4-6" in length?
I'm guessing you don't have a band saw.

George H.

(oh, I guess you can turn a hacksaw sideways... I haven't done that in
a while.)
GH

He said he wants to cut it in half in the 2 inch direction.

For aluminum that thin it may pay to clamp the aluminum between 2 thin
pieces of wood. Then use a hacksaw, jig saw, or any saw with a fine
tooth (maybe 24 to 32 teeth per inch) blade.

 

[Pimpom]

On 7/29/2017 6:13 AM, Tom Biasi wrote:

On 7/28/2017 7:57 PM, amdx wrote:
On 7/28/2017 12:46 PM, RichD wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -

--
Rich


By 1/20" I'm assuming that is 0.050" thick.
I could scribe that through with a box cutter. A good one, not a cheap
plastic one.
https://tinyurl.com/y8enx648


I'd put a square on the aluminum and a try to make a medium
presure cut across it. Then continue four or five more times in
the same cut line.
Then I would push the blade in on each edge to make a mark
that shows on the other side. I would use a ruler to line
up with those two marks and scribe along the ruler, then make
several more cuts along the ruler. At this point you should
be able to flex it and it will come apart. Clean up the edge
with a file.
I could have had it done faster than the time it took me to
write up how to do it.
Mikek

Geez,
.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?

My sentiments exactly. One thing I'd like to add is to nick the
edge first with the edge of a triangular file to guide the first
stroke.

 

[amdx]

On 8/4/2017 9:39 AM, Pimpom wrote:

On 7/29/2017 6:13 AM, Tom Biasi wrote:
On 7/28/2017 7:57 PM, amdx wrote:
On 7/28/2017 12:46 PM, RichD wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -

--
Rich


By 1/20" I'm assuming that is 0.050" thick.
I could scribe that through with a box cutter. A good one, not a
cheap
plastic one.
https://tinyurl.com/y8enx648


I'd put a square on the aluminum and a try to make a medium
presure cut across it. Then continue four or five more times in
the same cut line.
Then I would push the blade in on each edge to make a mark
that shows on the other side. I would use a ruler to line
up with those two marks and scribe along the ruler, then make
several more cuts along the ruler. At this point you should
be able to flex it and it will come apart. Clean up the edge
with a file.
I could have had it done faster than the time it took me to
write up how to do it.
Mikek

Geez,
.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?


My sentiments exactly. One thing I'd like to add is to nick the edge
first with the edge of a triangular file to guide the first stroke.

I hope we get this done soon, I'm getting exhausted and haven't seen
the first cut.

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Fri, 4 Aug 2017 20:09:29 +0530, Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.com> wrote:

On 7/29/2017 6:13 AM, Tom Biasi wrote:
On 7/28/2017 7:57 PM, amdx wrote:
On 7/28/2017 12:46 PM, RichD wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -

--
Rich


By 1/20" I'm assuming that is 0.050" thick.
I could scribe that through with a box cutter. A good one, not a cheap
plastic one.
https://tinyurl.com/y8enx648


I'd put a square on the aluminum and a try to make a medium
presure cut across it. Then continue four or five more times in
the same cut line.
Then I would push the blade in on each edge to make a mark
that shows on the other side. I would use a ruler to line
up with those two marks and scribe along the ruler, then make
several more cuts along the ruler. At this point you should
be able to flex it and it will come apart. Clean up the edge
with a file.
I could have had it done faster than the time it took me to
write up how to do it.
Mikek

Geez,
.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?


My sentiments exactly. One thing I'd like to add is to nick the
edge first with the edge of a triangular file to guide the first
stroke.

I have a small miter box which is perfect for such cuts.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| STV, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I'm looking for work... see my website.

Thinking outside the box...producing elegant & economic solutions.

 

[Baron]

amdx prodded the keyboard with:

On 8/4/2017 9:39 AM, Pimpom wrote:
On 7/29/2017 6:13 AM, Tom Biasi wrote:
On 7/28/2017 7:57 PM, amdx wrote:
On 7/28/2017 12:46 PM, RichD wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -

--
Rich


By 1/20" I'm assuming that is 0.050" thick.
I could scribe that through with a box cutter. A good one, not
a
cheap
plastic one.
https://tinyurl.com/y8enx648


I'd put a square on the aluminum and a try to make a medium
presure cut across it. Then continue four or five more times in
the same cut line.
Then I would push the blade in on each edge to make a mark
that shows on the other side. I would use a ruler to line
up with those two marks and scribe along the ruler, then make
several more cuts along the ruler. At this point you should
be able to flex it and it will come apart. Clean up the edge
with a file.
I could have had it done faster than the time it took me to
write up how to do it.
Mikek

Geez,
.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?


My sentiments exactly. One thing I'd like to add is to nick the
edge first with the edge of a triangular file to guide the first
stroke.

I hope we get this done soon, I'm getting exhausted and haven't
seen
the first cut.

50 thou thick ! Realistically, a Stanley Knife and a straight edge,
several swipes, place over a piece of round bar and press down on
each side. Clean up the edges with sanding block.
Job done...

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

 

[Jim Thompson]

On Fri, 04 Aug 2017 08:09:39 -0700, Jim Thompson
<To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon@On-My-Web-Site.com> wrote:

On Fri, 4 Aug 2017 20:09:29 +0530, Pimpom <Pimpom@invalid.com> wrote:

On 7/29/2017 6:13 AM, Tom Biasi wrote:

[snip]

Geez,
.050 aluminum for 2 inches, nobody here can use a hacksaw?


My sentiments exactly. One thing I'd like to add is to nick the
edge first with the edge of a triangular file to guide the first
stroke.

I have a small miter box which is perfect for such cuts.

...Jim Thompson

As in...

<http://www.analog-innovations.com/SED/SmallMiterBox.jpg>

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson | mens |
| Analog Innovations | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| STV, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Skype: skypeanalog | |
| Voice480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat |
| E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

I'm looking for work... see my website.

Thinking outside the box...producing elegant & economic solutions.

 

John Larkin wrote:

On Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:46:48 -0700 (PDT), RichD
r_dela...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -


You can clamp it in a vise and run a hacksaw horizontally along
the top of the jaws. That makes a nice straight smooth cut, but
don't do that a lot because it is a little hard on the vise.

A vise may eventually weaken on its own by that time though.

 

[John Larkin]

On Sun, 29 Oct 2017 18:59:28 -0700 (PDT), bruce2bowser@gmail.com
wrote:

John Larkin wrote:
On Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:46:48 -0700 (PDT), RichD
r_dela...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -


You can clamp it in a vise and run a hacksaw horizontally along
the top of the jaws. That makes a nice straight smooth cut, but
don't do that a lot because it is a little hard on the vise.

A vise may eventually weaken on its own by that time though.

I confess that I do it a lot, and my vise looks OK.

It's a good way to cut thin sheet metal or copperclad FR4 at home; I
use a shear at work. They won't let me cut FR4 on the nice foot shear
[1] (it dulls the blade, theoretically) so I have to use an old rusty
cheap Chinese hand-shear/roll/brake thing.

[1] and I own the company!


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing precision measurement

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

 

[default]

On Tue, 31 Oct 2017 15:49:14 -0700, John Larkin
<jjlarkin@highland_snip_technology.com> wrote:

On Sun, 29 Oct 2017 18:59:28 -0700 (PDT), bruce2bowser@gmail.com
wrote:

John Larkin wrote:
On Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:46:48 -0700 (PDT), RichD
r_dela...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -


You can clamp it in a vise and run a hacksaw horizontally along
the top of the jaws. That makes a nice straight smooth cut, but
don't do that a lot because it is a little hard on the vise.

A vise may eventually weaken on its own by that time though.

I confess that I do it a lot, and my vise looks OK.

It's a good way to cut thin sheet metal or copperclad FR4 at home; I
use a shear at work. They won't let me cut FR4 on the nice foot shear
[1] (it dulls the blade, theoretically) so I have to use an old rusty
cheap Chinese hand-shear/roll/brake thing.

[1] and I own the company!

I used to wait until everyone left for lunch, then use the paper
cutter.

 

On Tue, 31 Oct 2017 15:49:14 -0700, John Larkin
<jjlarkin@highland_snip_technology.com> wrote:

On Sun, 29 Oct 2017 18:59:28 -0700 (PDT), bruce2bowser@gmail.com
wrote:

John Larkin wrote:
On Fri, 28 Jul 2017 10:46:48 -0700 (PDT), RichD
r_dela...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Doing a home project, I need to cut some aluminum.
It's a strip 1/20" thick, 2" wide. I have to cut
it in two, that is, a straight 2" cut.

Should I seek a specialized handsaw for this job?
Or a bolt cutter, or some such. Suggestions?

I have minimal metal shop experience, but figure in a group
of engineers, there ought to be a few metal benders -


You can clamp it in a vise and run a hacksaw horizontally along
the top of the jaws. That makes a nice straight smooth cut, but
don't do that a lot because it is a little hard on the vise.

A vise may eventually weaken on its own by that time though.

I confess that I do it a lot, and my vise looks OK.

It's a good way to cut thin sheet metal or copperclad FR4 at home; I
use a shear at work. They won't let me cut FR4 on the nice foot shear
[1] (it dulls the blade, theoretically) so I have to use an old rusty
cheap Chinese hand-shear/roll/brake thing.

[1] and I own the company!

FR4 will dull the shear. And a dull shear pisses off the person who
has to use it. Years ago I worked in a shop where we machined lots of
bare FR4. Most of it was for use in some sort of superconducting
machine. Anyway, there was a guy who there who decided shearing the
stuff would be OK. Then the sheet metal guy had a shit because the
sheetmetal would no longer shear cleanly, it started to have a bent
edge. We had to have the blades sent out for grinding.
Eric