Can You Cut Aluminum With a Miter Saw?

Can aluminum be cut with a miter saw?

Yes, metal can be cut with a miter saw. While there are several instruments for cutting aluminum, a Miter Saw is one of the best, if not the greatest, equipment. Due to its design, it is possible to grip the metal and make accurate cuts using the revolving blade-holding handle. Hence, a miter saw provides precise metal cutting while being relatively user-friendly and safe.

Miter saws (like our Dewalt miter saws) may cut aluminum and other metals, such as steel. But, it would help if you considered some factors, such as the amount of metal you want to cut and the project's requirements. You must also pay attention to the blades you use. Hence, let's determine which blades you should use.

Types of blades to cut aluminum 

photo: amazon 

• Coarse and very coarse cut blade: They are best for giving your cuts an excellent finish.

• Sharp cut blade: If you need to cut metal pieces exactly and ideally, I suggest using this blade.

• Circular blade: These are the best blades to use if you want to make different shapes by cutting aluminum at an angle.

• Razor blade: If you want to make clean cuts, use this blade.

How to cut aluminum with a miter saw 

photo: amazon

Step 1: Pick the Right Blade

Choose the right kind of blade for the job. After that, ensure the edge you choose has the correct number of teeth.

It is also essential to check how thick your aluminum piece is.

Step 2: Put the blade on

Take off the blade already on your miter saw and put on the new one.

Check if it's properly attached, as it's essential to ensure nothing can go wrong.

Step 3: Hold the metal in place

It's important to clamp the piece of aluminum you're cutting right because if it moves while you're missing, it could cause an accident or ruin the cut.

Also, make sure the clamps are tight around the aluminum bar.

Step 4: Put on your safety gear

No matter how good you are at your job, you must ensure you are safe first. Using proper safety gear like glasses and gloves does not make one an amateur!

So, don't forget to put your safety gear in the right way to avoid danger.

Step 5: Immediately cut the aluminum bar

Once everything is done, and in place, it's time to start the task.

First, use a marker to mark the part you want to cut. Then, line up your blade with the marked spot.

You should keep one hand on the aluminum piece and the other on the miter saw. Then, slowly lower the tool's handle until it touches the aluminum bar. Keep going until you get the right cut.

Make sure to use enough lubricant to make the job easier. Also, if the piece is too big, cutting it into smaller pieces would be best before giving it the shape or size you want. So, your work will be as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Tips for cutting aluminum correctly

photo: amazon 

Keep the word safe 

Take safety precautions if you want to use a blade made of wood to cut aluminum. This is the most critical piece of advice. This means making sure that the material is attached well.

You can hold the piece in your hand when you use a cordless miter saw to cut wood. Aluminum, on the other hand, sticks to the blade and can be dangerous. Use a lot of clamps to make sure that the metal stays in place.

Cut-off piece 

When cutting aluminum, one of the most dangerous parts is when the cut-off piece is pulled hard toward the blade. If the cut-off work flies at you, it could hurt you badly. You can protect your face, neck, and eyes by wearing a full safety mask or shield. You could clamp a piece of wood to the side of the cut-off work to keep it from being pulled by the blade.

Use cutting oil 

Cutting oil is also an essential part of cutting aluminum. The most significant risk is that the material will get stuck in the saw and cause splinters. If that happens, anyone nearby could be hurt by the pieces of blade or aluminum that fly off quickly. Before working on the part of aluminum, you should clamp it.

Make sure to use a cutting oil with low viscosity to keep the blade from getting stuck on the aluminum or getting clogged with debris. Lubrication keeps the blade and aluminum cooler, which reduces the chance of cracking and keeps them from getting too hot.

Employ a good blade 

Ensure the wood blade you choose has a thin blade with many teeth for cutting metal. Always put a lot of oil on edge, and let the blade cool down between cuts. This will reduce the chance of damage and keep the material in good shape.

FAQs 

Will aluminum ruin a saw blade?

Non-ferrous building materials, like copper tubing or aluminum shapes, make this problem worse. Not only do they have the usual problems with cutting non-ferrous materials, but when the teeth move in and out of the material, they can also damage the blade.

Do you need a special saw to cut aluminum?

With a non-ferrous metal cutting blade and a chop saw, you can cut aluminum (miter saw). Don't use an abrasive disc on a chop saw made for cutting metal to get rid of aluminum. Abrasive cutting discs will get stuck on aluminum, which will cause them to get too hot and break.

Do you need a special saw blade to cut aluminum?

For different kinds of metal, you'll need different blades. Non-ferrous metals like brass, aluminum, copper, and lead should be able to be cut with an abrasive cutoff wheel with a carbide tip. Blades with carbide tips can last up to 10 times longer than steel ones.

Conclusion  

We want to know whether you can cut aluminum with a miter saw. A miter saw is a great way to cut aluminum precisely if you know how to use it and how to do it. Just make sure to take all the necessary steps and have all the right tools and safety measures in place.