Lubrication for cutting aluminum

Jim and Becky wrote:
> I own a 32' fishing boat.

> Does anyone think the skill saw idea is bad?

I'v been watching a friend of mine building the same thing for the last
year. I was amazed.... he just used common wood working tools. No
lubracant at all.
Bob.
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum 

As everyone has mentioned, standard wood working saws work. The primary
thing to worry about with aluminum (other than the mess) is drilling
....marine aluminum can work harden pretty quickly if you get it wrong, then
it becomes very difficult to drill. Use the lube, use a moderate speed, and
don't push it through the aluminum too slowly ...get the bit to bite. As
long as the aluminum is cutting, you're fine. If it stalls ...don't let the
bit sit and spin, but stop, lube, make sure the bit is sharp and try again
but make sure you do what you need to to get the bit to cut metal, not just
spin around on it.

Brian D


"Jim and Becky" <Jimjamie.TakeThisOut@Adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:g6WdnTl3Espuxb7ZRVn-ug@adelphia.com...
>I own a 32' fishing boat.
> The superstructure is 3/16th aluminum. I want to saw out the port
> wheelhouse
> wall as I convert the boat into a family cruiser.
>
> I intend to use a carbide tipped blade made for aluminum on a 7 1/4"
> skill
> saw.
>
> I'm wondering about lubrication. I've read parrafin wax would work. How
> much
> do they mean? The amount you'd rub on a snow ski or an 1/4" mound of the
> stuff?
>
> Does anyone think the skill saw idea is bad?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum 

On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 09:57:31 +0700, anon <k4556.RemoveThis@inet.co.th> wrote:


>
>If you don't want to go to the bother of locating tap magic a
>"secret" I was taught during my apprentice days was to use kerosene or
>diesel fuel as a cutting fluid for aluminum. Use a "squirt can" and
>give it a squirt from time to time.
>
A similar method is to squirt a little lamp oil of the type found on
boats. Essentially, it's kerosene anyway, with colour added.

Wear gloves and clamp the piece being cut or drilled. The gloves are
not only for the blade, of course, but because the piece gets friggin'
hot. I cut several 1/4" aluminum backing plates a few years ago and
used standard woodshop power tools. No problem...but have a vacuum
cleaner ready for the pounds of shavings!

R.
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum 

On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 08:24:49 -0800, "Brian D"
<briandixon7NS.TakeThisOut@comcastNS.NScom> wrote:

>As everyone has mentioned, standard wood working saws work. The primary
>thing to worry about with aluminum (other than the mess) is drilling
>...marine aluminum can work harden pretty quickly if you get it wrong, then
>it becomes very difficult to drill. Use the lube, use a moderate speed, and
>don't push it through the aluminum too slowly ...get the bit to bite. As
>long as the aluminum is cutting, you're fine. If it stalls ...don't let the
>bit sit and spin, but stop, lube, make sure the bit is sharp and try again
>but make sure you do what you need to to get the bit to cut metal, not just
>spin around on it.

Agreement here. A final tip is to use a nail punch to center the drill
hole properly for pieces to be bolted together. The piece WILL want to
move, hence the previous advice about clamping.

R.
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum 

@#@

I use a product called Do -All it has been around for ages works on all
metal cutting applications , drill bits reamers, saw blades etc. It is an
waxy compound you just smear onto cutting tools works wonders.

Ray

"Jim and Becky" <Jimjamie.TakeThisOut@Adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:g6WdnTl3Espuxb7ZRVn-ug@adelphia.com...
>I own a 32' fishing boat.
> The superstructure is 3/16th aluminum. I want to saw out the port
> wheelhouse
> wall as I convert the boat into a family cruiser.
>
> I intend to use a carbide tipped blade made for aluminum on a 7 1/4"
> skill
> saw.
>
> I'm wondering about lubrication. I've read parrafin wax would work. How
> much
> do they mean? The amount you'd rub on a snow ski or an 1/4" mound of the
> stuff?
>
> Does anyone think the skill saw idea is bad?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum 

Just another hint, that may help.
I have a Festo jig saw with a plastic covered steering shoe, it works
fine but...
Cutting alu, the hot chips melted into the shoe.
This produced a braking action and scratched the metal.
So I fixed felt pads, self-adhesive onto it. It works fine.
Also me hand skill saw, with a metal shoe is now equipped with such
shoes.
klaus
 >> Stay informed about: Lubrication for cutting aluminum