[Dick Linn]

If you do cut aluminum or other non-ferrous metals, make sure the blade is designed and rated for that! Some are expensive, others not so bad. Harbor Freight used to have a 10 inch #46234 blade at a reasonable price, but it's either out of stock or discontinued. Home Depot carries the Freud Diablo SKU # 341031 for $55.

I also caution against nipping a bit off the end of a piece. If the piece is tiny, it can get jammed down in the kerf where the blade meets the base, or come flying around inside the guard. If both sides of the metal aren't clamped, things can be launched with disastrous results. Also take care that the blade is not dropped and that no teeth are chipped!

A band saw is much safer.