[TowerTalk] Cutting aluminum

[Rick Karlquist]

Gary Schafer wrote:
>
>
>>I bought an inexpensive miter saw from Harbor Freight and
>> equipped it with a non-ferrous metal cutting carbide blade from McMaster
>> Carr.  The local stores only had ferrous blades.  I also ordered
>> a bar of cutting wax for the blade.  Don't try to cut dry.
>> I have made hundreds of cuts in irrigation tubing and the blade
>> is still as good as new.  The miter saw doesn't take up much
>> space.
>>
>> Rick N6RK
>
> Rick,
>
> Did you get their metal cutting chop saw or a regular saw for wood and put
> the metal blade on it?
>
> 73
> Gary  K4FMX

Excellent question.  "Chop saws" have abrasive blades and are actually
grinders.  You cannot use chop saws for aluminum for the same reason
that you can use a grinding wheel for aluminum.  For aluminum, I use a
mitre saw intended for wood, but with the non-ferrous blade.  You can also
install a ferrous blade in the mitre saw and use it for steel.

Rick N6RK