I tried searching the archives but could not find anything on scoring and cutting aluminum facia. It seems that everyone I know, including myself, uses a utility knife after clamping the aluminum in the brake to score and then fold up and down and then the aluminum comes apart. One does go through a lot of blades and it does make an edge that at times is rough. I used to buy a carbide tipped scoring knife when I lived in Oregon but have not been able to find in Alabama but I did find it on the internet. It is made by Virutex and only sold by Amazon. It is made for laminate tops but I am wondering if it will work for this facia material. The carbide tip last forever and cuts better than a utility knife blade. What is your experience?
James
Replies
I'don't do very much work with coil stock, but when I do, I also use a utility knife while the stock is clamped in the break (brake?). I have a carbide scoring tool used to score and snap cement backer board. That might do the trick. Check the departments that sell backer board and tile.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
http://www.van-mark.com/vanmarksite/Slitters/Slitters.html
http://www.tapcoint.com/Tapco/tapcoproducts.html
I've got a Vanmark slitter. Tapco also makes one. Tapco also has a proprietary slitter that runs on the front of their brakes. I didn't like it for copper, but some think it works great on alum.
One trick I use is to clip the knife blade with snips when it dulls. I used to do this when I bent in the field. Now my work is all in the shop. On occasion, I'll use my bench grinder to resharpen a knife blade.