New Miter Saw

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by Dick Linn

I'm talking about chopping aluminum with a high-speed saw. Be very careful, and very wary. The least imperfection in the blade can cause a disaster. These are not the low speed "cold saws". Do be very careful!

I whole heartedly agree. There is a picture floating around here from last year where my index finger had a run in with the saw blade. But it was my fault. I did not clamp the material right. As with any power tool you have to use caution especially when you are using the tool or something that its not made for.

[Gdeaver]

I was just about to post a thread like this. We've always used our schools old and abused horizontal band saw to cut our aluminum. The school does have a 10" miter saw ( not a low speed chop saw). I was considering Using that to cut our aluminum this year. I was looking at blades for aluminum and there are so many types I'm kind off at a loss at which would be best for cutting 6061 angle and bar. Most blades have at least 80 teeth up to 120 and many different rakes and tooth designs. What have others used? I also found abrasive blades just for aluminum. Has any body tried the abrasive ones? I really doubt there is any accuracy left in the old band saw and would rather not put the time and effort in it to use it again.

[Kirk]

Stay away from abrasive blades. They generally leave very nasty burrs. We just go to Home Depot and but what ever the cheapest 80+ carbide tooth blades is. I don't see why you would need any special tooth offset or tooth angle.