What is the easiest way to cut make aluminum gusset

[lamk]

Originally Posted by ttldomination

Whenever we have gusseting needs that need to be met in house, we often just end up printing out a 1x1 scale model on paper and then gluing it to some aluminum. Then the kids/mentors go through and use the marked holes and lines to create the pieces. It isn't super pretty but the job got done.

- Sunny G.

I plan to buy a bunch of vexpro gusset to be used as templates but I like the paper template idea. I plan to pre-drilled the gusset and than clamp on to the extrusion.

[DampRobot]

Depending on where you're located, you could pay a waterjet (or laser or sheetmetal) shop to cut your gussets for you (or even better, get them as a sponsor). Depending on how many you want cut, you'll probably end up spending less than $150 to get them watejerjetted, which even over 4 years isn't all that much. You'll also get much better quality than you possibly could by cutting them yourself. We have all the equipment (except a sheetmetal sheer) mentioned in this thread, and even given the expense and extra lead time, having the gussets done right and quickly is so worth the extra money.

If you don't want to go the waterjet/laser/turret punch sponsorship route (and by the way, large numbers of relatively simple identical gussets is a relatively good use of a sheetmetal sponsors time), I'd try to buy some kind of CNC/DROed mill/router. If those are out of your price range, I'd suggest going the printout route for the holes and buying a nice band saw. Band saws are good tools for the shop anyway, for cutting tubing to length, prototyping, etc.

[JCharlton]

A vertical bandsaw is a great tool for any FIRST shop, but for cutting sheets sometimes the throat is inadequate. A shear is a great tool too, but 0.090 aluminum is really pushing it.

For under $100 you can get a jigsaw at Canadian Tire that will cut 1/4" Al (or steel) to a high enough degree of accuracy for gussets. Yeah it takes a little time, but for the low volume it's the inexpensive way to go. Our team calls it the "Loyola Waterjet".

If you have the resourses for a CNC router that may be a good route to go, or finding a company which will water/laser/plasma cut parts is also great for quality parts. Doing the jobs in-house with student work is also viable and sometimes the faster way to go.

[roystur44]

Another way to duplicate gussets is by using a manual punch press and a pantograph attachment. Back in the old days before CNC we used this method to duplicate metal brackets.

The punch press can hold different shaped punches. Squares, rect, obrounds, rounds.

I like to teach the kids the old ways before I introduce them to the CNC.

Here is a video of a manual punch press:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4hrxcdlVf8

[roystur44]

Here's another way to cut the outside shapes of a gusset. Corner notcher. Works great for small brackets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYNpp2wV2KQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPvb6Rjhvuo

[Monochron]

If you want to go the cheap route, this Electric Sheet Metal Sheer from Harbor freight could do the job. Though it is only rated for 18 gauge metal (0.04" thicknes), you may be able to find a pricier one that could do thicker.

Using a large sheer like the others suggested is going to give you much better cuts, control, and variety of material, but at the cost of money.