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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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20th Jan 2018, 5:26 pm | #21 | |
Heptode
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, USA.
Posts: 823
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
Quote:
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24th Jan 2018, 6:00 pm | #22 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Wimbledon, London, UK.
Posts: 1,465
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
Quote:
Colin. |
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28th Mar 2018, 11:48 am | #23 |
Heptode
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK.
Posts: 646
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
I have found a Dremel high speed device is most useful for small scale relatively light cutting work. Have had mine about 20 yrs.
They have a range of miniature bits and can run at up to 20,000 rpm (About 5 selectable speeds ). The cutting discs are great for shaping small constructions in many materials and for dismantling old gear for parts recovery, can often simply slice of that seized nut in quite confined spaces. Dremel are still available at B&Q etc and they staock a range of cutting discs etc. When using WEAR GOOGGLES AT ALL TIMES though. NB a light touch on the workpiece is required or the ssytem slows. |
29th Mar 2018, 10:19 pm | #24 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 5,269
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
I go the jigsaw route for either aluminium or steel, if it's say a box or awkward shape. If its simple sheet then the bandsaw is more controlled. Of course the correct blade is a must!
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Kevin |
29th Mar 2018, 11:02 pm | #25 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Staffordshire Moorlands, UK.
Posts: 1,474
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
Quote:
Steve
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29th Mar 2018, 11:54 pm | #26 |
Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Fife, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 22,857
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
For non-radio reasons I have a plasma cutter. It's a brilliant tool (bad pun) on mild steel running with compressed air. On aluminium, the finish is less good, but it improves a lot if it is run with argon.
wooden templates can be created for commonly used sizes and shapes of holes. A plunge cut in the centre, slew the torch out to meet the template, then take it around the figure and watch the middle of the hole fall out. Sand to finish. David
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30th Mar 2018, 7:05 am | #27 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,657
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Re: Cutting Aluminium Sheet.
For 2mm ish thick ali sheet i use an angle grinder - fine cutting blade, with a steel edge as guide, though sometimes dispense with the guide then deburr with a file.
To bend thick ali you need to "score" a line with the thin disc and use a triangle file to deburr the line. This also gives a better bend. That said when bending thick ali it isn't easy to get a neat 90 deg bend. For thin ali I use scissors. A
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