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Old 02-03-2014, 06:16 PM
sfm1951 sfm1951 is offline
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Default cutting 50/52 aluminum

What teeth per inch would be the best for cutting 1/8" 50-52 aluminum with a bandsaw? So the teeth don't plug up. And also what speed. Thanks in advance, Steve
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Old 02-03-2014, 09:38 PM
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dirt_merchant dirt_merchant is offline
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cant help with the band saw part, but have you concidered using kero/turps or crc/wd40 (any light oil) as lube, I find it helps stop the teeth from blocking when using carbide burrs in rotary tools.

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Old 02-03-2014, 10:30 PM
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Joe Hartson Joe Hartson is offline
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What shape material are you cutting? What type of band saw, vertical or horizontal? The general rule of thumb is three teeth minimum in contact with the material at all times.
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Old 02-03-2014, 10:41 PM
Doug M Doug M is offline
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A round wire brush placed so it flicks the material out of the tooth gullet as it is turned by the saw blade.
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Old 02-03-2014, 11:34 PM
Irrational Metalworks Irrational Metalworks is offline
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I use a 14 TPI blade on my band saw with no lube or wax. Run the blade at around 2600, and never have trouble with the teeth loading up.
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Old 02-04-2014, 05:27 PM
sfm1951 sfm1951 is offline
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Joe, I'm using a vertical bandsaw cutting straight lines and curves I've got a wire brush mounted to help clean the chips off the blade Steve
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Old 02-04-2014, 08:46 PM
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Steve, blade speed and feed rate can affect the build up of material in the teeth when cutting aluminum. If the aluminum get hot and becomes gummy and the clips will stick to the blade unless you use some type of lube. I use Boe Lube in a tube and apply a little to the blade if needed.
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Old 02-05-2014, 12:04 PM
Sinister Sleds Sinister Sleds is offline
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Wax stick should help as well.

http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/Lubr...term=wax+stick

I use the wax stick when ever I am dealing with aluminum. It will help to not clog burrs (aluminum burrs) and I find that I get a better cut when cutting aluminum on the chop saw or band saw. One of the main benefits I find is that the wax does not fly all over the place like oil or water based coolant.
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Old 02-05-2014, 08:13 PM
crystallographic crystallographic is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sinister Sleds View Post
Wax stick should help as well.

http://www.mscdirect.com/browse/Lubr...term=wax+stick

I use the wax stick when ever I am dealing with aluminum. It will help to not clog burrs (aluminum burrs) and I find that I get a better cut when cutting aluminum on the chop saw or band saw. One of the main benefits I find is that the wax does not fly all over the place like oil or water based coolant.
I use beeswax as a lube on aluminum cutting. And cocoa butter because I have it handy. Bandsaw speed can be set fast for wood and will cut aluminum sheet and plate well, using tooth counts from 3T to 18T. Slower speeds need finer teeth.
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Old 02-05-2014, 09:54 PM
Butch Duke Butch Duke is offline
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I have used WD-40, LPS,Beeswax & a good old candle stick. I like the candle stick cheap to use & I also like beeswax. I agree with everyone else on teeth per inch.
Butch Duke
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