how to cut aluminum with angle grinder

how to cut aluminum with angle grinder

 

Aluminium is a multipurpose metal which is used in construction, automobile and various other businesses. Alloy has all the great properties such as light weight, robust, and resistant to corrosion so it's a great material for many applications. But working with aluminum is a precision craft that requires specialized tools. In metalworking, one such soul-mate tool is the angle grinder. This guide is a step-by-step guide on how to cut aluminum with an angle grinder, as well as tips on doing so efficiently and safely, and what to keep in mind to help you obtain the best results on your workpiece.

 

Understanding Angle Grinders

 

Cutting aluminum is a topic we will get into shortly, but first, lets take a look at what an angle grinder is and how it works. An angle grinder, also known as a side grinder or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool that is used with a variety of discs for cutting, grinding and polishing. Angle Grinder's Versatility And Power Are An Indispensable Tool For Metal Workers And DIYers.

 

Selecting the Best Disc for Aluminum

 

When using an angle grinder to cut aluminum, the first task is choosing the right disc. Aluminum is a very unique metal; hence, unlike other metals, this kind of metal needs a wheel that can manage the demand; otherwise, the wrong disc can manufacture ineffectiveness and hazardous situations. Disks for cutting nonferrous metals, like aluminum, have been made in individual sizes. These are usually with special abrasives that don't clog the disc with the material being processed. If you buy a disc, get one that is designated for non-ferrous metals and/or aluminum.

 

Ready to roll: Gear up properly

 

And finally, and perhaps most importantly before you launch into trim, safety. Angle grinders, however, can be dangerous tools when they are not used properly. Make sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves and a face shield. Be sure your work space is clean, well lit and free of combustible materials.

 

PREPARING THE ALUMINUM FOR CUTTING

 

If you aren’t prepared, then your cut will not go well. Secure your aluminum piece in a vice or clamps first. That’ll keep the material steady when you’re cutting it, which can be a point of inaccuracy or injury. Then measure the cut line and take your measurement. NOTE: This will give you a clean line to follow, you can use a non-permanent marker or you can use a scribing tool and that makes a nice fine line.

 

The Cutting Process

 

Once you have everything ready, start chopping. The angle grinder has started rolling, so give it a minute before making any cuts. Have the disc at 90° to the surface of the aluminum. Press with steady pressure and let the tool do the work. Instead, move the disc along the marked line instead of applying significant steady pressure deep into the material.

 

Maintaining the Right Speed and Pressure

 

The most important thing while cutting aluminum is to get the speed and pressure correct. Going too hard or too fast, puts you at risk of boiling the material which can distort the material or make it adhere to the disc. Too slow a feed rate also can result in inefficient cutting and premature disc wear. It is a question of balance and you will gather how much pressure and speed is correct through experience.

 

Dealing with Heat Build-Up

 

Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor which means it heats rapidly as it is being cut. It is going to split the tongue, you will keep breaking your own tongue or you will bake it to it. And even some of the pros will use some type of lubricant or cooling agent as they’re cutting to draw heat away.

 

Finishing the Cut

 

Be even more conservative in the final stages of your cut. When the aluminum isn't used properly during the last stage of the cutting process the aluminum can bind or the disc can kick back. Or just going through, support the off-cut with your hand, in order to avoid pinching the disc in the workpiece.

 

Post-Cutting Cleanup

 

When you make the cut, it will typically have burrs or rough edges along the line. A file and flap disc in your angle grinder can clean these up. Leaving a nice smooth clean and safe edge to touch and ready for further work in your project.

 

Disposing of Aluminum Offcuts

 

Aluminum scrap has to be gathered and also recycled. Aluminium is also extremely sustainable as it is 100% recyclable, and its qualities will be preserved indefinitely through recycling. Please responsibly recycle any scrap according to your local recycling scheme.

 

Conclusion

 

Angle grinder aluminum: this is something that can be mastered with some practice and technique. In the following perfection aside from choosing the right disc and wearing the right equipment, will have cutting aluminium that is clean to the nature and its shapes, prepared at the beginning stage of the steps of this guide. Above all, always treat the tool and the material with respect and care, and quality is of greater importance than speed. These Tricks will Make Your Angle Grinder Your Metalfabrication Best Friend