Cutting Ally?

[Andrew]

Got to cut some ally tread plate for a mate, 3-4mm plate, 3 cuts, each about 20ft long. Whats the best way of cutting it? I have a reciprocating wood saw, or a grinder. Did a few little bits with the grinder and it seems to eat the blades?

 

[John 1594]

have seen it done with a diamond blade in a stihl saw, know your not supposed to cut metals with a diamond blade but we have all done it?

 

[The Stig]

If using a grinder use a stone cutting disc

 

[Chuckie]

If using a grinder use a stone cutting disc

Plasma cutter

Or just take the sheets to someone with a guillotine

 

[Tomo23]

Plasma cutter

Or just take the sheets to someone with a guillotine

+1

 

[Stoxs]

Jig saw is good with the right blade!!

 

[scholland]

Circular saw with right blade

 

[Andrew]

Forgot about the plasma cutter, might have a go with that. Guillotines a non starter as its currently welded in a horsebox.

 

[Blue.]

A slitting disc in a 9" grinder does fine.

 

[exmoor dave]

I might be completely wrong (and apologies everyone if I am) but if using a grinder, I'm sure I read some where of someone getting hurt grinding/cutting ali and the dust reacting with the steel dust already on the inside of the grinder guard. think it went bang! I always scrape the steel dust off before cutting ali..........might just be a myth but I'm sure I've read it some where!

 

[C.J]

You're thinking of Iron Oxide(rust) + Aluminium = Thermite

 

[Andrew]

You're thinking of Iron Oxide(rust) + Aluminium = Thermite

So a rusty lorry with ally sheets isnt the best place to be waving a gas axe round in then?

 

[Speedstar]

Plasma cutter is very good on ally, just run a bit more air pressure & it will make a very clean cut.

 

[exmoor dave]

You're thinking of Iron Oxide(rust) + Aluminium = Thermite

so most farm steel then!

 

[sean m]

I might be completely wrong (and apologies everyone if I am) but if using a grinder, I'm sure I read some where of someone getting hurt grinding/cutting ali and the dust reacting with the steel dust already on the inside of the grinder guard. think it went bang! I always scrape the steel dust off before cutting ali..........might just be a myth but I'm sure I've read it some where!

i think my lorry repair man sprays the line to cut with special fluid then cuts with thin blade in grinder, sorry dont know what the fluid is

 

[milkloss]

So a rusty lorry with ally sheets isnt the best place to be waving a gas axe round in then?

Needs a fair whack of heat.

Usually ignited with a magnesium ribbon

 

[Gulli]

Needs a fair whack of heat.

Usually ignited with a magnesium ribbon

Gas axes have long been renowned for their cooling properties