impala59 Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Any pointers please! I want to make a combined feed ramp and mag well/locator from aluminium block. Obviously, machining would be ideal but I do not have a milling machine. I have seen on y/tube the use of routers on aluminium and I also have the usual hand tools, files hacksaws etc. I have never worked/carved solid aluminium before, only sheet/box section, can it be cut with angle grinder discs? It seems quite soft and I wondered about cutting speeds etc. All info gratefully received! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Angle grinder discs don't really like ally, may do better with a circular saw with a blade that can cut through nails. We used to jigsaw it years ago using brake fluid as a lubricant and to stop the blade clogging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 as rodp says jigsaw.........providing the stuff aint sheet............check the type of blades......i have used a circular saw...purpose made saw for aliminium....its cuts with plenty of lubricant and turns at a painfully slow speed.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks gents, I thought that clogging might be an issue, I will check the blade on my chop saw, I think I've still got the sleeve it came in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks gents, I thought that clogging might be an issue, I will check the blade on my chop saw, I think I've still got the sleeve it came in The trick with a fast running chop saw is light pressure, just enough to cut but not enough to build up enough heat up the ally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 The trick with a fast running chop saw is light pressure, just enough to cut but not enough to build up enough heat up the ally. Got that, I guess that whatever power saw or router I use, lubrication will cool and prevent clog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodp Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Yep, dare say you could just keep spraying it with wd40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Paraffin is a good lubricant for use when you work aluminium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincs1963 Posted July 31, 2016 Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Have fitted aluminium framed doors in the past. Hinges were routed in using a jig, lubricant and slow speed. Dedicated router bits are available for aluminium. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impala59 Posted July 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2016 Thanks again gentlemen, I must admit i am a little wary of tools like circular saws and router blades where there are quite large gaps between the cutting surfaces, i just imagine these hitting my solid aluminium block. I may re-think this project or get a pro to machine from my drawings and a wooden mock-up. One bright spark pal of mine suggested casting it by making it in poly-foam, which disappears when the molten alloy is poured into the sand that the foam is buried in, that's possibly even more scary than chopping up a block with power tools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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