# Metal-cutting table saw

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [January 12, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325 "2005-01-12T03:26:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325/1 "2005-01-12T03:26:09Z")

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A guy who seemed to know what he was talking about told me that you could cut soft metals like aluminum on a regular table saw. You need a many-toothed carbide blade, preferably one of those new, very thin ones (just over 1mm thick). You lubricate the blade with WD-40 and let 'er rip.

I was skeptical, but I tried it (on aluminum) and it really works - does a beautiful job. For very thin metal, sandwich it between layers of plywood or MDF.

I hope I don’t need to add that eye protection is essential.

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**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325/2 "2005-01-12T03:41:14Z")

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Yeah

I was surprised when I went to work for one company who was expanding. They were in the process of building a new manufacturing line.The gear boxes were hand made from 2 foot X 2 foot X1foot thick aluminum. It was cut to size using a circular saw and carbide blades.Of course everything was finished off on a mill.

Who da thunk it?

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**Author:** ![Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325/3 "2005-01-12T04:28:54Z")

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You have to be careful with some kinds of Aluminum. I assume you were cutting something like 6061-T6 or some other good-machining alloy. Pure aluminum (1100) and many aluminum alloys (3003,5005,5052) are a nightmare to cut because they are extremely gummy and will mess up your saw blade, even if it’s carbide or diamond.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/metal-cutting-table-saw/284325/4 "2005-01-12T16:01:38Z")

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I do some machine shop work on the side and we do this all the time. Last night I cut a bunch of extruded aluminum on a Delta radial arm saw. I bought a very nice carbide tipped blade for about $85 and it tears through stuff and leaves such a beautiful finish that I don’t have to clean it up on the mill or even deburr with more than a bit of sandpaper.

I used a water based oil coolant in a spray bottle. Not so much for the lubricity but the keep the blade cool. Heat is the enemy, trust me I’m a tool salesman.

I’ve had success cutting quarter inch thick copper plate as well. Lots of horsepower on a 220 line and you can have chips bouncing into the ceiling.

Cheers.