Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Smith
I really wouldn't recommend this. The benefit of a band saw is that the cutting force is into the support, so if you twist the workpiece, it isn't going to hurt you, just bind the blade. Yes... a table saw CAN cut aluminum. I see people do all sorts of stupid stuff with table saws though, and at the end of the day your garden variety table saw can throw a 2x4 through sheet rock if it kicks. With 1/4" aluminum, it can likely get hot, making your first instinct to pull your hands off the workpiece... and now you have a several pound projectile taking out the kid who isn't looking. I'm sure you're perfectly capable of completing the cuts safely, but I wouldn't want this to be something your average high school student attempted.
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90% of the heat goes out with the chips, and I will agree with you that your average student should not just start cutting Al on a table saw. Train 2-3 kids to be very comfortable working with a table saw(my team will NOT let a student use our table saw without a mentor, right there. Unless shown
extreme competency) before they even try cutting Al. You should also always have someone to catch on the opposite side! You have to be very deliberate and focused when using a table saw. Knowledge is the BEST thing in the safety toolbox.