How to cut aluminum

Tools I use to cut aluminum and a description of what each tool is good and bad at.

[@troyladoux1953]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to see more detail on TPI and blade types that work best for cutting aluminum and your experience with both. The tips on placing the the angle on the miter was excellent.

[@instrumentsponge]

Best take away "Bandsaw is great for cutting your neighbors brake lines." 🤣🤣🤣 But honestly great informative video. Thanks for taking the time to teach others. I've always used jig saws and angle grinder, but just got the Diablo aluminum blade for my miter saw. We'll see how it goes.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

His neighbours are sweating bullets right now. 😂

[@waynefagan9682]

I like the comments on your neighbors break line's. Funny

[@wadeltopp3270]

Great information and best of all great information tips on cutting safe

[@BassBrothersFishingDMV]

Awesome video dude. Very informative.

[@stevenwatson2333]

Great thanks for all the advice

[@markymark3075]

Thanks, you've got some good kit

[@c3paalphaz]

Thankyou for sharing , the various types of methods and machines for cutting Aluminium apreciated i wish i could afford cnc plasma cutting outfit maybe one day i will be able to afford it i enjoy tig welding Aluminium projects one day i want to build an Aluminium boat for myself . Merry Christmas happy holidays

[@fuzznut25]

Thx for video. I’m planning on doing my boat deck, didn’t know you were involved with TBN. I’ve watched a lot of their videos. I planned on using my miter saw and jigsaw for most of my cutting. I’d love a plasma cutter, but don’t have one yet I have a sheet metal nibbler but I may use circ saw for sheet aluminum after watching this. Thanks

[@JDSOutdoors]

Absolutely man no problem and I'm one of the founding members of tbn it's been fun to watch it grow

[@90836usaful]

Nice. Very informative

[@bruceseverson6622]

Good advice!

[@PERRYS_PROPS]

good info, thanks you must have your neighbors pretty worried by now :)

[@ryanjooste2294]

You can use it to cut your neighbors brake lines😂🤣😂

[@flosa1995]

No

[@smoovefishing]

Great video

[@alangonsalves7334]

Awesome thank you for the info

[@pawcrawlowens8730]

Going to start on a couple of flat bottoms, building decks

[@rolandsmith4394]

Ekkkspecially great vid.

[@sandymclea]

Saw a vid of a guy use a router with a template... so many ways Thanks

[@cosmiccolonel]

Try using a 5” carbide tipped blade in your air or electric grinder…….. goes through alloy like a knife through butter, we used a special thick blade, about 5mm thick to prep plate and a skinny one to cut

[@Weld24_CosmicKat]

Do You apply any blade wax to the saw blade to keep the cutting teeth from loading up with aluminum?

[@samthompson1270]

Good job John. I've seen people cut angle on a chop saw the wrong way, just like you mentioned. Maybe this will save somebody some grief in the future.

[@joshbennett2762]

The backwards blade thing came from old school none carbide blades for cutting metal roofing and what not

[@JDSOutdoors]

Totally forgot about tin roofing to I really need to write notes when I think of video ideas lol

[@jamescole3152]

Aligning the piece on the cnc table. I wish you would have showed that part. Because you used the edge from the factory it has to be aligned perfectly..

[@carterscustomrods]

@4:45 ... I shot hot coffee out my nose lmmfao!!! You were so dry, and serious until that point, and you caught me totally off guard.

[@carterscustomrods]

@6:37 ... you got me again. Gahhhhhtdammit man!!!

[@kalimbobo]

This video will be Exhibit A when your neighbours brake lines are cut under mysterious circumstances.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Na no it Wont

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

I have to cut out some camper shell windows into 5052 aluminum ..maybe 4'straight cuts and four radius cuts ... what type of circular saw blade tooth count?...jigsaw the radius corners what type of blade tooth count?

[@geoffreymoulton5707]

Thanks for the video, but there is no way you could cut your neighbours brake lines with that, Now I'm waiting for the video on "How to cut your neighbours brake lines" 🤣

[@Jenilee7905]

I have an Xcluder Door Sweep I need to install the website says i can use a Hacksaw any suggestions on exactly which one to use?

[@BKMDano17]

My experience using a ferrous blade for non ferrous material, that will result in a blade loaded up with melted aluminum making it useless. Did I miss something? Thanks

[@michkg2000]

John, I do a lot of aluminum sheet as well. Good advice, I have always wondered about the Diablo metal blades, sounds like they’re not worth the money. Question for you though have you ever used a metal circular saw? I have heard the spin at a slower RPM to cut better?

[@JDSOutdoors]

I haven't though its definitely on the list of tools to buy in the near future. I "hear" they are the way to go

[@tapsulinka]

When cutting aluminium sheets, forget circular saw and buy good track saw. Do not use saw made for cutting normal metal. Do not use normal metal blades but those made for cutting aluminium. The blade should has negative angle . More RPM is better when cutting aluminium. Aluminium is soft metal and it need to cut very tiny piece at one time so more RPM is better The only metal saw which you can use for cutting aluminium is only professional mitre saw with special blade. Metal saw is having low RPM and then the blade needs to be special, not having teeths but sharp edge and shape as wave. I had one with cutting fluid pump. 27 years experience for professional work with aluminium. At best years we do cut more than 100 000 aluminium profiles.

[@youyouulf]

I cut a lot of aluminum and I have different experiences when using a jigsaw. You need the right kind of blade (for cutting non ferrous metals). It is fast and effective. My tip is to tilt the jigsaw just a tiny bit forward when cutting, and you'll be good. Cutting with a grinder was a nightmare, it was a slow and utterly annoying experience, so I never use that. What you do not mention is cutting on a table saw, which is super good for cutting alu sheets. Use a proper saw blade for that purpose if you'll be cutting a lot.

[@michaelwebster8526]

Nieghbors brake lines 😂😂

[@glyshorts9107]

What would you recommend for cutting 6" dia aluminum pipe? 1/8" wall thickness. I aquire long sections of this pipe and cut it into various short lengths. I have been cutting it with a Sawzall but its kinda a pain. Thanks for you input in advance.

[@JDSOutdoors]

I actually cut this often building ice houses. Miter saw if you have a large enough one works the best but I find myself grabbing the skill saw most of the time and cut one side, flip over and repeat

[@tapsulinka]

If you are using mitre saw then you have to be very very careful. Why? Because when the blade has cut part of the tube and is "inside" the tube, it can stuck easily and then it hits hard. The problem with cutting tubes is that it can turn a little bit and then blade do jam easily. If money is not problem (eg. you are cutting for your work) then I do recommend to buy Exact pipe cutting saw. www.exacttools.com/en-us/home One way it would be good that first you cut the tube usibg angle grinder but you cut 4 mm (1/6 inch) longer than needed. Then you use mitre saw for making precise straight cut. And again, when cutting the pipe using angle grinder, do not cut it once but cut a little bit so that disk is not going too deep. Turn the pipe a little bit and cut again. Repeat until you have cut the whole pipe. You can use jigsaw but it is not giving so good edge.

[@mth469]

Sir you seem to know what you're talking about. With a blade for cutting metal, can i use a Dewalt DCS361B miter saw to cut Aluminum 6061? I'd like to cut flat / square / round bar down into small cubes and cylinders so i can CNC mill it into a part. I need to know as I am considering purchasing it. Thank you.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Yes you can but depending on how much you plan to use it, it may not last the longest. It's pretty small but if it has enough depth for your material it will work.

[@houalee9101]

I wondered through the whole video ... What has your neighbor done to you? 😂😂

[@jamesholmes6900]

Hacksaw is the best for quiet cutting of my neighbor's brake lines. check!

[@lfts2010]

Great advice! Cool boat man! You build that?

[@JDSOutdoors]

Thank you and i sure did build that. I actually have a whole build series on it along with a shortened start to finish video ill send ya here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn6Tp6B6Z62BiMk

[@user-rb4tz6hs6p]

👍

[@kevinmorrison1553]

Are you using wood carbide blade on miter saw or a metal blade?

[@JDSOutdoors]

Wood blade high tpi

[@ballzybaits4414]

My problem with aluminum is finding paint that will stick to it!! But that's another topic. Do you have a video on cnc on your plasma? I'm in search for one. ty!

[@JDSOutdoors]

I dont have a vid on it unfortunately

[@ballzybaits4414]

@@JDSOutdoors You should make one. Just found your videos and love what you got going!

[@JDSOutdoors]

@@ballzybaits4414 I appreciate it man. Will be a bit since I moved

[@usedcarsokinawa]

The circular saw turns at millions of rpm, lol.

[@samparis5096]

If that's the wrong handsaw, what's the right one?

[@ITWorksSoftware]

Lol, you really must hate your neighbor. 😆

[@JDSOutdoors]

When you steal from me we are no longer friends lol. I actually left the state because of what he did.

[@ITWorksSoftware]

Ugh, I feel for you! Bad neighbors suck.

[@JDSOutdoors]

@@ITWorksSoftware me to. Got good ones now, it was one of those deals where its beat to just leave or probably end up in jail lol

[@LeeDanielCrocker]

No table saw?

[@JDSOutdoors]

That works to

[@woodyahh2110]

What cnc table do you have

[@JDSOutdoors]

Cutting edge

[@woodyahh2110]

@@JDSOutdoors seem to be good pricing

[@JDSOutdoors]

@@woodyahh2110 yea its not bad pricing at all

[@dizzolve]

You should take that angle grinder to that neck beard mang ............ lol JK. Thanks for the advice. For some reason I didn't even consider the circular saw but that is in fact the tool for my job. Thanks again

[@JDSOutdoors]

Woah no neck beard here man

[@TheGalacticWest]

I'm sure the break line thing is an inside joke.

[@JDSOutdoors]

Nope I really hated my neighbor

[@anonimous2451]

I suppose your neighbor isn't a nice person. My sympathies.

[@raybosflorida4928]

ohhhh this equipment cost soooo much !! &&&& took me years to get,,but i WONT TELLYA THE PRICES on anything like all the youtubers never do for some reason?????

[@JDSOutdoors]

Adds to much time to say prices in videos but what would you like the price on?

[@Devils_Claw]

million rpm? 😐

[@dvig3261]

Don't use a cutoff wheel to cut aluminium...🤦‍♂️ that way totally sucks. I have cut 4' x 8' x 3/8" sheets on a table saw....a squirt of lubes helps the finish quite a bit...my friend was wd-40.

[@williammcleod9823]

3:32 PSA: "attain" and "obtain" do not mean the same thing.

[@williammcleod9823]

4:40 Oh, and "ekspecially" just isn't a word at all.

[@JDSOutdoors]

@William McLeod psa thanks for the view

[@gaweyn]

Downfall? You mean downside? Sorry, non-native speaker here

[@unpopuIaropinion]

ah youtube took out the dislike button :(

[@UltimateAnarchy]

Grammar police here and I'm gonna have to cite you for using the term downfall when you should be using "downside". They mean completely different things. "Downfall" is a loss of power, prosperity, or status. A downside on the other hand is defined as the negative aspect of something. The correct way to use each of these two terms is as follows: The downside to smoking is lung cancer. Gary was greedy which led to his downfall.

[@tapsulinka]

You did gave some tips and perhaps you do cut aluminium once a while but you absolutely are not professional. I have worked almost 27 years with aluminium so I know what I am writing Which tool to use for cutting depends on what you are cutting (plate, tube, profile) and are you cutting straight line or not. Cutting blade/disk is really important. It is more important than you can imagine. It gives you the results Cutting with hand saw - Use metal saw. That saw you did show was not for metal Angle grinder. Use specially made cutting disk and the result is good. If you use disk which is for metal, it will smelt aluminium, not cut. It will take long time and bad results. One of the best disk, if not the best one, is Tyrolit. Normally thinner the disk, better results. If you need to cut aluminium just about 1 mm (1/24 inch) then it is best to use drinding disk (also Tyrolit is making really good grinding disks). Use different disk for cutting and grinding. Makita is often used in States but Makita is not making best disks for cutting aluminiun Jig saw: Again, most important is the blade. I have tested all blades I have find and the best blade is made by one small German company. Currently I do not remember that brand name, I am sorry. If you need to cut longer straight line then connect a linear guidance so that one side of the jig saw is resting to that and you can make quite straight line. You have to understand that blade is bending. It do matter if you do need to cut a little bit thicker materials as profiles. Then cut slowly and blade do not bend so much. It is same when you need to cut curves etc. If you need to cut straight lines, use wide blade Portable band saw is useful if you need to cut tubes or profiles which are already connected somewhere. There are saws which do have much wides space for cutting. Again, do remember to use right band. Circular saw IS NOT GREAT tool for cutting aluminium. I will never ever use circular saw for cutting aluminium and I will never ever recommend it. Use Track saw with aluminium track. That is the right tool for cutting aluminium. Best ones are Festool TS 55 and Mafell. The best disk is one German quite unknown brand. I am sorry I do not remember the brand. It is sold only at special shops. Makita blades for aluminium has been really bad, even Chinese non branded has been better. Festool blade is good. Correct if I am wrong but if I did see correctly you had wrong blade both at the circular saw as well as at the mitre saw for cutting aluminium. The blade for cutting aluminium should have negative angle. Are you having such blades? You see it when you make line from the blade surface to the center of the blade. If the line goes front of the center point, then it is having negative angle. That kind of blade is pushing blade out from the cutting piece if it does not cut it. Aluminium is very soft metal and if you cut using similar blade as cutting wood, it will stuck to the aluminium and hitting very hard to you. Normally more teeth the blade is having, better results With mitre saw you need to be very careful if you want to cut pipes. Again remmeber the right blade. If you need to cut bigger tubes then the best is Exact pipe cutting saw with right blade Plasma cutting is not what normal people are having but of cource it is good.

[@JDSOutdoors]

I know the hand saw was not for metal. I only mentioned that 3 times in the video because I don't have it use one. As for the rest of the book you wrote ill leave that alone as I've only cut several thousand lbs of aluminum and clearly have no idea what I'm doing according to the book

[@bigted1953]

@@JDSOutdoors knew it. The other guy told me.