Cutting aluminum?
08-05-14, 02:01 PM
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Cutting aluminum?
Hello
I'd like to customize the Brompton Front carrier frame by adding an aluminum plate so as to carry regular bags.
Here's what this guy did:
What tool should I use to do the same thing?
Thank you.
I'd like to customize the Brompton Front carrier frame by adding an aluminum plate so as to carry regular bags.
Here's what this guy did:
What tool should I use to do the same thing?
Thank you.
08-05-14, 02:54 PM
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You can cut it with a hack saw or saber saw, then clean it up with a flat file. Personally, I'd rough it out on a band saw and then clean it up on a milling machine, or if it's thin enough, a sheet metal shear.
Carefully lay out the shape scribing it on the piece of material, then cut so that you stay just outside the scribed line. Carefully file to the scribed line.
Carefully lay out the shape scribing it on the piece of material, then cut so that you stay just outside the scribed line. Carefully file to the scribed line.
08-05-14, 02:59 PM
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if thin enough, tin-snips are good. if that tube needs cutting, sometimes a tube-cutter can help create a square cut.
08-05-14, 03:02 PM
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I second the band saw if you have one, but a milling machine to clean it up is overkill (and how many people have one.
Depending on thickness, a hack saw an file is fine. (blade tooth count so 3-5 teeth equal the thickness) If it's too thin to saw effectively (1-2mm) then sandwich it between two blocks of wood and saw through the stack to get a cleaner cut without bending the part.
I don't suggest shears or snips because they'll bend the part increasing the work needed.
Depending on thickness, a hack saw an file is fine. (blade tooth count so 3-5 teeth equal the thickness) If it's too thin to saw effectively (1-2mm) then sandwich it between two blocks of wood and saw through the stack to get a cleaner cut without bending the part.
I don't suggest shears or snips because they'll bend the part increasing the work needed.
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08-05-14, 03:13 PM
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Personally,I'd just whip out the plasma cutter or the water jet table...
Draw your pattern,hacksaw,jigsaw,drill a bunch of holes,radiac wheel,whatever you have to cut with,then finish with a file.Take your time,it will be fine.
Use some WD-40 on the cutter and files so they don't clog up.
Draw your pattern,hacksaw,jigsaw,drill a bunch of holes,radiac wheel,whatever you have to cut with,then finish with a file.Take your time,it will be fine.
Use some WD-40 on the cutter and files so they don't clog up.
Last edited by Booger1; 08-05-14 at 03:17 PM.
08-05-14, 04:40 PM
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08-06-14, 10:28 AM
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A circular saw with general purpose blade for long cuts and a jig saw with metal blade for radius cuts will work very well on aluminum. Use some lube as well. Varsol is ideal but WD 40 works and everybody has a can laying around.
08-06-14, 10:39 AM
#10
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a Jewelers saw works really well on thin sheet metal .. you place the work over V cut in a piece of wood, clamped to a bench
or table ... you put the blade in to saw to cut, pulling Down.. .
the saw blades are thin .. you can drill a hole then pass the saw blade through the hole , clamp it in the frame and make
complicated shapes inside .. the blades are hard tempered so break, if bent, but sell by the dozens.
slow, but quiet work.
or table ... you put the blade in to saw to cut, pulling Down.. .
the saw blades are thin .. you can drill a hole then pass the saw blade through the hole , clamp it in the frame and make
complicated shapes inside .. the blades are hard tempered so break, if bent, but sell by the dozens.
slow, but quiet work.
