Hey folks,
Going to be cutting up some aluminum sheeting (maybe 1/4″) thick which is the backing for a in-ground vinyl liner swimming pool. Would a standard cutting torch work very well or would the aluminum dissapate the heat too quickly to allow it to be cut cleanly?
Have to cut it to get it out from the edges of the pool which is long ago abandoned.
Used a torch on standard steel pieces before but wasn’t sure how the aluminum would react.
Mike
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Replies
It spatters more, warps more and generally is controlable. I'd opt for a nonferrous cutting blade in a circ saw if ya need a clean edge. WAX is the lube of choice, just a candle aside the spinning blade every now and again.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.
the only way you will cut that aluminum with anything like control is with a plasma cutter. They will cut, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, even cast iron, pretty much anything. Very handy tools. Just plug it in, hook up an air hose and go for it. cuts a narrow kerf 1/16 inch or so. Jim
You claim that the ONLY way is a plasma?
Yer nuts. You have no clue what the alloy is.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.
Heck, I'd use my backhoe with the thumb and just crush that baby into recyle size balls of Al.
Notacrename: too bady you way down in 'bama, or I'd come with the hoe and take it off'en your hands!
I just reread the post....sounds like a corrogated pool.
Backhoe/w/thumb....20 minutes into a ball of dollar bills at the scrap yard.
But , Idiots like me collect old pistons and melt them down into investment castings..I have a sweet old vacuume pump, and lost wax is not a new idea.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.
WENT by the welding supply store today, miller has
a small plasma cutter no bigger than half a loaf of bread
120v/220v 18pds. as Rachel Ray says neato.
And the Christmas price was?
Joe H
Ya know I didn't even ask - I was actually checking on
the price of a lincoln :Ranger :welder I saw in their showroom
10,000 watt generator/ welder powered by a industrial Kohler
2300.00 on that one.I,ll check tomorrow ,there were times I
really needed that plasma cutter just not now.
Hey, I'll get in touch right quick, down with a badassed cold right now...ugghh.
I have the rocks, just no plan for the roll...I figgure a stacked laid wythe around the wood buner....sorrry, we'll talk later.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.
I tried cutting brass with a plasma cutter once. Burned through it, but no plasma at all. Steel gets a blazing plasma, I think AL would be like brass.
I tried cutting brass with a plasma cutter once. Burned through it, but no plasma at all. Steel gets a blazing plasma, I think AL would be like brass.
That is because the oxygen in the air plasma is consuming (burning) the iron in the steel. Aluminum, like brass, should mostly melt, and the air will remove the molten slag.
A torch will not actually cut aluminum, it will only melt it. Often this results in a mess.
An oxygen acetylene torch heats up the steel to the point where a blast of pure oxygen actually burns the iron.
This is why oxy act torches are only used on iron and ferrous steel.
An abrasive balde will not work well either.