I will be ripping thin L shaped aluminum trim with a nonferrous blade on my table saw-from 2″ down to 1″. The short leg of the “L” trim is not to be cut , but the long side of the “L” . Unfortunately I cant put the short side against the fence as this would cut the wrong side of the long “L” giving me the rough cut exposed to the finished side (like when you cut wood on a table saw you have the finished side up) Do I just put sacrificial wood under the trim to support it or does any one have any ideas. I have approx. 175′ of trim
Thanx in advance, David
Replies
I've crosscut alum in a mitrebox.
I have never ripped metal on a table saw.
With that as the disclaimer:
Clamp a pc of wood to the tablesaw that the metal would ride over and register against the fence. You could raise the blade up into the wood so it is zero clearance to the metal. Will keep the used wood (sacrificial) to a minimum.
Again, I've never done this. You take your own chances.
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Yes, you can let it ride on top of a wood strip so the burr forms on the "second" side.
Be aware that ripping aluminum will have that blade spitting pieces at you mercilessly. If you value your face wear a full face shield.
A cheap $10 shield over your glasses is the way to go.
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Would it make sense for you to take the stuff to your local alum. siding shop and ask them to cut it to size on their slicer for you? 175 linear feet is a fair amount of stock, and no matter how careful you are you're not going to get a perfect cut in metal with a table saw. It's not designed for that kind of work.
If the tin shop is not an option, consider renting or buying a pneumatic nibbler and setting up a jig of some sort so you can use it to cut straight lines.
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