Chop saw blade for aluminum

[fatfillup]

Looking for recommendations for a 14" chop saw blade that will cut aluminum. For a buddy who's uses will include cutting aluminum angle, box tubing and flat stock.

Chop saw is a Ryobi that is 3900 rpm. I have found blades that will do 1600 rpm but not 3900.

Hopefully, someone here has gone down this road and will have a solution

Thanks, Phil

[DeadNutz]

Phil, is his chop saw designed for abrasive blades with that high RPM?

[fatfillup]

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it isn't his chop saw quite yet

It does  have an abrasive blade in it and I checked mine that I have had for almost 30 years and have used for cutting wire braided hose and steel and it is 3800 rpm, so yes it is designed for abrasive blades.

I get the impression that a carbide tooth blade works well on aluminum and on the other site, they said a carbide tipped wood blade works great.  Just don't know if a carbide blade can spin that fast. 

Trying to figure out the best and safe solution.  Need to look at a miter saw and check rpm on them.  That might be a good solution. 

Keep the ideas and questions coming

[DeadNutz]

Most saws designed for use with a metal carbide tooth blade for cutting metal turn around 1600 rpm with a 1" arbor. An abrasive chop saw has I believe a 7/8" arbor and over twice the rpms.

[goodfellow]

I've used my 12" miter saw with a plain carbide tipped wood blade to cut aluminum channel, angle, and box tubing. Never had a problem with it, but then again it was only sporadic use. In a constant use industrial fabrication setting it may be cost prohibitive though.

[skfarmer]

phil.........asking for a friend..........

[GNAP]

I've used my 12" miter saw with a plain carbide tipped wood blade to cut aluminum channel, angle, and box tubing. Never had a problem with it, but then again it was only sporadic use. In a constant use industrial fabrication setting it may be cost prohibitive though.

We cut aluminum box tubing for years with a miter saw, we used a good quality high tooth count (100-120 teeth) thin kerf carbide wood saw blade with no issue.

[GNAP]

phil.........asking for a friend..........

Is this like calling the VD clinic, about some severe STD symptoms for a “friend”??   

[Heiny57]

I've used my 12" miter saw with a plain carbide tipped wood blade to cut aluminum channel, angle, and box tubing. Never had a problem with it, but then again it was only sporadic use. In a constant use industrial fabrication setting it may be cost prohibitive though.

We cut aluminum box tubing for years with a miter saw, we used a good quality high tooth count (100-120 teeth) thin kerf carbide wood saw blade with no issue.

X2

[fatfillup]

Thanks Platty, that is some good info and will be helpful

[Matt_T]

It can be done with miter saws but they're smaller blades. Just figured the FPM for 14" @ 3,900 rpm and it's 14,300 rpm. The Evolution Rage 2 is only 1,450 rpm. AND it's properly guarded for use with saw blades and so are miter saws. An abrasive chop saw will leave the blade exposed when it's up which could end very badly.

Also chop saws aren't very accurate IME, so that may be a problem too depending on what your "friend"/customer? is building.

https://evolutionpowertools.com/us/build/chopsaws/rage2/

[J.A.F.E.]

I cut miles of Al picture frame molding with a chop saw. The cut has to be accurate to fit right and it needs to track properly or the outside of the corners can gap at the face or back. I found a decent chop saw worked well the blade is more important unless it's a POS saw. The difference between a $15 blade and a $175 blade is mostly how flat it is and that is done by hand. The blanks and carbide tips are bought and the manufacturer brazes the tips, sharpens them and flattens the blade. There is a special blade made for Al the main difference is the set of the teeth.

There is a company in Burbank, CA called Ultramiter that specializes in saw blades for the picture framing industry - they make their own blades or they will sharpen and flatten your blades. Been a few years since I've used them but last time I did I was still happy with the service but they are not a bargain operation - they know their area of expertise and charge accordingly. Give them a call and they will tell you more than your friend wants to know about cutting Al.

[Conductor562]

Are you talking about a miter saw or a metal chop saw designed to take abrasive blades? If it’s a miter saw, Freud Diablo makes a 14” 108 toothed blade just for aluminum that is good to 5000 RPM. I use the 12” 120 tooth version of this blade and it works awesome on thinner stuff. Never tried cutting any thicker stuff. I’ve been really happy with all the Diablo stuff I’ve used. Hard to beat for the price.

https://www.diablotools.com/products/D14108N

[fatfillup]

OK guys, did a test today.  The customer in question brought in some aluminum angle.  2" x 4" x 1/4" or thereabouts.

Had an older Makita miter saw with a carbide tooth blade.  Didn't count the teeth but at least 80 on a 10 inch blade,.

Cut the aluminum like butter.  Not noisy but plenty messy.  Sold the saw on the spot.