Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:05 pm
Tony,
Thirty-five years ago, I apprenticed in a commercial cabinet shop where we made casino fixtures and cabinets. I went on to make a career as a cabinetmaker. We often cut aluminum stock for whatever reason. I noticed in one of your pictures that the blade on your table saw is set at about 1/2 - 3/4 inch high. The safest way to cut aluminum is to set the blade to a height that will score the cut first and then raise the blade to a height that will barely cut all the way through the stock. You have better control of the stock and believe it or not, the blade will last longer and stay cooler. DO NOT attempt to cut any ferrous metal on a table saw. I know this sounds like a silly statement, but I have seen it tried. Note: "tried". The major worry is that the abrading of the metal causes sparks and guess what is always at the bottom of your table saw. Sawdust has a relatively low flash point and it makes one hell-uv-a fire. Also, I have seen so many fellas use a chop saw in just the fashion the name implies. They slam the blade into the work. Not safe at all. That goes doubly for aluminum. Let the saw blade attain maximum speed and then ease the blade into the work. Just some thoughts.
Jim
Thirty-five years ago, I apprenticed in a commercial cabinet shop where we made casino fixtures and cabinets. I went on to make a career as a cabinetmaker. We often cut aluminum stock for whatever reason. I noticed in one of your pictures that the blade on your table saw is set at about 1/2 - 3/4 inch high. The safest way to cut aluminum is to set the blade to a height that will score the cut first and then raise the blade to a height that will barely cut all the way through the stock. You have better control of the stock and believe it or not, the blade will last longer and stay cooler. DO NOT attempt to cut any ferrous metal on a table saw. I know this sounds like a silly statement, but I have seen it tried. Note: "tried". The major worry is that the abrading of the metal causes sparks and guess what is always at the bottom of your table saw. Sawdust has a relatively low flash point and it makes one hell-uv-a fire. Also, I have seen so many fellas use a chop saw in just the fashion the name implies. They slam the blade into the work. Not safe at all. That goes doubly for aluminum. Let the saw blade attain maximum speed and then ease the blade into the work. Just some thoughts.
Jim