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CUTTING ALI
Ian Pearson - 31/10/02 at 11:20 PM

Getting close to the point where I'm going to have to cut the ali to make the panels, bonnet etc. Any hints on neat straight cuts??

davef - 1/11/02 at 06:35 AM

hi ian get youself a good straight edge steel if possible the more rigid the better. get a stanley knife fit a new blade and draw along your marked out line on the ali keep drawing the knife along several times, then bend the ali up and down continuously eventualy the ali will part along your scribed line nice and neat, cheers davef.

Ian Pearson - 1/11/02 at 06:09 PM

Thanks Davef. Anyone have any recomendations when it comes to drill powered nibblers for curved cutting?

bob - 1/11/02 at 06:52 PM

Hi Ian

I've used the nibbler drill attachment and its good,only three tips.

1/Dont get the one that cuts on the downstroke as the bit tends to break easily,mine cuts on the up stroke and the bits seem to last longer.(well never changed bit as far as i can remember)

2/keep lubricated

3/The clamp that comes with it to hold onto bench is pooh,you will end up with drill in vice and help from a mate.Or maybe adapt the clamp as i will one day

stephen_gusterson - 1/11/02 at 08:27 PM

i have cut all my (2mm!) alu panles with a seven quid hand nibbler from machine mart.

It does a good job, does not burr the edges.

it does leave sanil trails along the side you cut, but if that faces inwards, no problems.


atb

steve

David Jenkins - 3/11/02 at 11:23 AM

I used a nibbler for very small or difficult cuts, otherwise I used an electric jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade - used a straight-edge to slide along for the straight bits.

This really is noisy though - ear-defenders for the din, and eye protection for the swarf that goes flying everywhere.

VERY quick though.

David

James - 4/11/02 at 11:56 AM

No-one using a guilotine at all?

I was hoping that that was a good way to go as I have access to a couple.

Cheers,

James

stephen_gusterson - 4/11/02 at 08:11 PM

quote:
Originally posted by James
No-one using a guilotine at all?

I was hoping that that was a good way to go as I have access to a couple.

Cheers,

James



no no no, why on earth would a locoster want to use a guillotine in a couple of secs when half an hr of friggin around would do the job

Bob da builder - 5/11/02 at 08:57 PM

Hi m8 ,

I used a jig saw, claming the alu between MDF/plywood and cut! set the ossilation to minimum, the bet that makes the blade sway back and forth and use lubrication or u'll eat blades! i believe parafin is a ali lub? i used some stuff in the garage, duno wot it wos but it worked! i also covered the bed of the jig saw with paper to prevent scratches on the face of the alu.

Rob

Bob da builder - 5/11/02 at 08:58 PM

p.s. sorry bout the crap english, its bin a hard day!!

stephen_gusterson - 5/11/02 at 10:23 PM

beware, spelling has caused problems recently!




atb steve

Ian Pearson - 6/11/02 at 07:28 AM

Thanks for the constructive comments guys.