Hi All,
I have a small job that will involve about 20-30 cuts of extruded aluminum for sliding closet doors tracks.
Real picky HO’s so I want the cuts to be pretty smooth. I’ve seen the carbide variety 80t with a negative rake for about $60. I’ve also seen the steel blades for about $25. I can’t remember the last time I needed one so I’m not worried buying an expensive one.
Do you think a $25 Vermont American will hold up for 30 cuts?
Or should I get the Freud for $60.
Those are all I’ve seen on the shelf around here.
Thanks,
N
Replies
Go the Freud
The best blade for cutting aluminum channels, trim, etc.. is a specific type of blade called a "non ferrous metal cutting" blade. The difference on this blade compared to a "standard" wood cutting blade is that the "non ferrous" cutting blade has a double kerf. In other words when you look real close at the carbide tips you can see approximately half of the tip extends out just a tad farther than the other part of the carbide tip.
The purpose of this double kerf is to keep the blade from snagging or grabbing the metal stock and to keep the blade from wandering when making the cut.
Anyway, the bottom line is when you use this type of blade you usually get REAL smooth cuts. Also when cutting real thin type aluminum stock or channels that have real thin edges this blade tends to least pull or bend the material at the end of the cut. I don't know if I'm saying this well but sometimes when you finish your cut and look at the piece you just cut you will notice instead of a clean cut the material got bent a little bit and the actual cut looks like sh#t. Double kerf blades go a long way towards eliminating this.
Any reasonable sharp wood cutting blade can usually do the job. But when cutting the type of channels you're talking about I'd want the double kerf if I had my druthers.
One word of caution from somebody who has done that been there. You'll have more luck and scare the hell out of yourself a hole lot less if you start your cut on the thinnest part or the legs and then finish cut at the shoulders or base. Remember the thinner the material the more chance of the blade grabbing. It's just like cutting wood only in wood you'll get a splinter. Aluminum DON'T splinter, it just grabs the blade, gets fed into the saw and comes flying out at the speed of heat leaving behind a trail of pure hurt.
Good Luck with your project.
Cork in Chicago
I use a triple chip blade made for cutting aluminum and use an aluminum cutting fluid when cutting al for thresholds,shower doors etc. works good ,hang on tight,wear safety goggles!