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| Cutting Metal Bar ?? http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=4689 |
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| Author: | crowduck [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:22 am ] |
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I'm 'tooling up' to begin making some Cam Clamps. I have a bandsaw, and also a small 4" table saw. I want to cut the metal bars for the clamps, and wonder if I can do it with a bandsaw? What kind of blade should I use? Or could I use what's called a cutoff wheel in my 4" table saw. I'm thinking of using aluminum for the bars because it's lighter and probably easier to cut, although steel would probably be more sturdy. Thanks CrowDuck |
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| Author: | Brock Poling [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:29 am ] |
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I know it is low tech... but a hack saw seems to work great in these situations. |
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| Author: | L. Presnall [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:50 am ] |
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A regular bandsaw and regular woodcutting blade work fine...just keep in mind you'll have little slivers of aluminum around for a while... |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:56 am ] |
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Crow, see if you can just buy the pieces cut to length. I know most metal places will do this for a small fee if any. |
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| Author: | Rod True [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:57 am ] |
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[QUOTE=L. Presnall] A regular bandsaw and regular woodcutting blade work fine...just keep in mind you'll have little slivers of aluminum around for a while...[/QUOTE] This will also be very very noisy (I just did it the other day) so if you do this make sure you have good hearing protection. |
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| Author: | Dickey [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:18 pm ] |
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If you use steel, I recommend a metal disc for your Skilsaw. Three bucks, throws sparks though. First time I saw one of these, my buddy was cutting angle iron I was standing on for him. I had a hole in my jeans. Felt something warm, looked down toward the sparks of the saw, and noticed the fuzz on my pants was on fire.  no joke.
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| Author: | Iplaytheoldies [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:37 pm ] |
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If you cut it with your bandsaw, just go slow. Works better if your have a fine kerfed blade (more teeth per inch) and be careful not to burn your metal as it will create a weak spot. |
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| Author: | Daniel M [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 10:10 pm ] |
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The bandsaw works fine for aluminum, but i use my sliding chop saw with a carbide blade. Makes a cleaner cut, but WEAR EAR & FACE PROTECTION... big chunks of flying aluminum hazard! I even rip aluminum on my tablesaw... No sweat. |
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| Author: | Arnt Rian [ Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:50 pm ] |
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Metal bars for cam clamps? If I was making a WHOLE lot I might go outside and cut it up with the angle grinder, otherwise I would clamp the bar in my machinist vise and go for it with a hack saw. I would be surprised if you spent more than 10 seconds to cut a normal (25 x 5 mm cold rolled?) steel bar. Keep the metal bits away from the woodworking equipment if you can! |
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| Author: | csullivan [ Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:08 am ] |
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The band saw is ok for aluminum, but chances are you can't slow down your band saw made for cutting wood enough to cut steel. And, while an abraisive wheel in the table saw will work, the sparks will almost surely start the wood dust inside the saw cabinet on fire. It might smoulder for a time and burst into flame well after you've left the shop. Not good. The aluminum is your best bet. It's more than strong enough for cam clamps, it's easy to cut, and a hack saw will zip through it like butter. Best of all -- no sparks. Craig |
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| Author: | Shane Neifer [ Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:48 am ] |
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When I made my cam clamps, using 1/4 x 3/4 steel bar stock I used my 4.5" grinder with a 'zip' disc, outside. Very fast, very clean, inexpensive! I like steel for these better than aluminum just because it is stiffer. You can cut aluminum safely with any of your wood working tools, just go a bit slow. Shane |
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