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I think I know the answer, but I'll ask it anyway. Would I ruin my diamond blade in my tile saw if I used it to cut a strip of thin aluminum? I have to install a new door sweep thing on the bottom of my front door, and need to cut it to length. I can use a hack saw, but thought this would be faster if it didn't cost me a new diamond blade.

Thanks,

Paul

it might not ruin it... right away. But aluminum has a habit of loading up any grinding tool, and a diamond blade is a grinding tool... it may render the blade unusable... or not. Let us know

Tony

Paul Bush wrote:I think I know the answer, but I'll ask it anyway. Would I ruin my diamond blade in my tile saw if I used it to cut a strip of thin aluminum? I have to install a new door sweep thing on the bottom of my front door, and need to cut it to length. I can use a hack saw, but thought this would be faster if it didn't cost me a new diamond blade.

Thanks,

Paul

Paul

Just get a metal cutting wheel for any saw. They are inexpensive. I have a metal chop saw. it is just a simple chop saw with the right blade. It is an abrasive round blade.

Just get out the old trusty Armstrong Saw and have at it. I'll bet you're diamond blade wouldn't even do more than scratch the aluminum, it's too soft and gummy.

Ron

This company sells abrasive metal cutting blades cheap.
http://www.kingmetals.com/Pages/Page18.html
Any Home Depot or Lowes will sell the same. All you need to know is what size blade 7" or 10" (depending on your saw) and the saws arbor size (the hole in the middle of the blade). I've used them on circular saws, chop saw. Be careful where you do your cutting as these things will send out a spray of sparks as they cut. For $2.00 to $8.00 you can buy one of these blades and not ruin your $50.00 diamond blades.

BobB

Bert Weiss wrote:

Paul Bush wrote:I think I know the answer, but I'll ask it anyway. Would I ruin my diamond blade in my tile saw if I used it to cut a strip of thin aluminum? I have to install a new door sweep thing on the bottom of my front door, and need to cut it to length. I can use a hack saw, but thought this would be faster if it didn't cost me a new diamond blade.

Thanks,

Paul

Paul

Just get a metal cutting wheel for any saw. They are inexpensive. I have a metal chop saw. it is just a simple chop saw with the right blade. It is an abrasive round blade.

Duh - that's too easy. Thanks for the wake up Bert.

Paul

You can cut thin ( one eighth or less) aluminum with just about any wood cutting blade. Carbide works easiest, plywood next best. Feed through slow and watch for " grab" by the teeth on the blades. Some people used to say ' f reverse the blade', but you don't have to, really.

Paul Bush wrote:I think I know the answer, but I'll ask it anyway. Would I ruin my diamond blade in my tile saw if I used it to cut a strip of thin aluminum? I have to install a new door sweep thing on the bottom of my front door, and need to cut it to length. I can use a hack saw, but thought this would be faster if it didn't cost me a new diamond blade.

Thanks,

Paul

yes, almost instantly.

i just cut some 1/3" al angle brackets today with a metal cutting blade on my jig saw. didn't take too long. lubricate with a little light oil of any type. if it's thin, you can use a table saw. don't stand in line with the blade, since if it grabs, it'll get thrown back at you like a metal bowler hat (obscure james bond movie reference).

Charlie:


To those of us of a certain age (and for whom Sean Connery is the ONLY James Bond) that's not an obscure movie reference at all.

Pat in Chicago

Pat Zmuda wrote:Charlie:


To those of us of a certain age (and for whom Sean Connery is the ONLY James Bond) that's not an obscure movie reference at all.

Pat in Chicago

Amen! And thanks for all the good advice. I think I'll just go buy a metal blade for my chop saw, then I'll have it for future uses.

Paul