Cutting Aluminum

[Tarant]

I need some help from people that know more than I do.

I need to cut aluminum that is less than 1/4 inch thick, I am planning on making a lot of things like rock crawler chassis and just other little things around that house, a lot of right angles and curves.
So the question is how would I go about doing this. A small Band saw, Scroll saw, use a clamp and Jig saw or something else. Also what should I look for and what are some good brands. And lastly this will be a weekend warrior thing, so it wont get a lot of use nothing industrial grade. Lets say less than $200 or is that just asking to much. I just need a faster way to shape things, I will be using a dremel and grinding wheel to get a finished product.

Thanks.

 

[TalonOne]

You need a sheer and some good metal snips. You can find the sheer in a hand pull format at harbor frieght ...as well as the snips.

You cut the general shapes and trim the curves with the snips ....then off to dremal and wheel land you go.

Just like on American Chopper....

 

[Bryson]

I always use a hack saw, but if the jobs a litte bigger, jig saw and a clamp do my fine.

Bryson

I'm such a moron though, My neightbor when she moved, (her husband left her, she was dingy if you know what I mean) but she gave me a mini band saw. It had a broken switch. My dedede ass didnt know enought to go on the internet and look for a new swich, so I sold it for 20 bucks at a garage sale. Turns out it was worth about 400 bucks. Some times I wish I could kick my own ass! lol. She also gave me a old street light that has a plug that goes into a wall, I googled that as soon as I got it though and its worth alot! So at least I salvaged some pride for the band saw.

 

[bentover]

Get a Delta 9" Bandsaw, they can go for about $100 or so, I did a lot of fine cutting with mine with some relief cuts to ease the blade into the radius spot.
Aluminum is a softer metal so you don't need a special blade for it, just a standard wood cutting blades with a few more blade teeth per inch will suffice.

 

[Rolex]

A small bandsaw will be the most useful machine you'll ever own. Curves or straight cuts on almost any material, with the right blade.
Whatever you need to cut, it makes it effortless.

 

[digger]

Think I paid $150 for my Craftsman. Decent little saw.
I told the 'ol lady I could make things for around the house with it too...



Yeah right. If I really wanted to. Haven't used it for anything but my hobbies.
Seems like that was the same way I got the air compressor.