Shopping for aluminum

[w0lv3r1n3]

Thanx for the info.. I have a Circular table saw for making
stright cuts but not a skill saw.. So might not be worth getting
one then.. Humm... lazer-cutting the side-panel is sounding better
so far.. I do have a very nice dremel for smaller stuff..
Thanx again!

[crazybillybob]

can you post a linky to the "skill saw" as I under stand a skill saw to be a circular saw...???

This is what I mean by jig saw.

CraZyBillyBob

[w0lv3r1n3]

Sorry.. I meant a scroll saw.. Here's a link to one, but they
did have a table-top model for $99 that i may still get..

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100055464

[crazybillybob]

Ok, that makes more since now.
A scroll saw is Great for Aluminum and plex!! I used a little benchtop model to cut this fan cover out of 1/8"+ thick 6061Aluminum (that fan is a 40mm fan)

No other way to get that level of detail in it. Make sure to pick up some extra blades (fine toothed for alumn.) adjusting the speed is the big thing, you don't want to try and cut to fast or you'll over heat the blade and it will snap.
My opinion Scroll saws are worth the cash if your going to do tight detailed work (look at Tribal Overkill, another lover of the scroll saw). The better scroll saws take blades with and without pins (pins are the little horizontal bit of metal used to keep them tight) The up side with pinless blades is that you don't need as big of a hole to slide the blade through (allows smaller details)... Saws normal cost more....Pined blades normally cost a bit more then unpinned... but the saws are cheaper.

Hope this helped!
CrazyBillyBob

[w0lv3r1n3]

Yes it did help greatly.. thanx man !
Definately getting a SCROLL saw..

[Deadeye]

I've begun working on a custom scratch built case for my friend and shopping for aluminum is no easy task. Few bits of advice I can offer you...

If you can avoid using a circular saw of any sort (table, radial arm saw, chop saw, etc) do so. In my experience they tend to leave a relatively inaccurate cut as well as produce excess heat, which can cause problems when dealing with treated metals. These saws also leave many burrs on the cut requiring filing.

Instead find a local shop (or school) that has a shear to do any sheet aluminum cuts that you may need.

If you have to use a circular saw to cut something use a NEW(ER/EST) thin metal cutting blade <1/8" and cut roughly near the target length and then use a file or, even better, bench mounted disc sander to sand it to precisely the length/angle you need.

As for finding a place to purchase aluminum, I found Lowe's and Home Depot to be a good spot to find small amounts of sheet metal (think 8"x10") and a decent assortment of angle and bar stock. As for larger sheet metal I would suggest www.onlinemetals.com - I use the 5052 alloy (cheap and strong ).

hope this helps!

[w0lv3r1n3]

thanks.. Will keep that in mind.. Gonna check homedepot
sometime this week..
I also ordered some Acrylic Mirror 12X24.. not bad for $8.94 a sheet.

http://www.interstateplastics.com/de...cmirror-SCl013

As far as Screws and such, i think i'll go with stainless socket caps
and perhaps some flatheads.. Chrome would be nice, but pretty spendy..
So far, looks like http://www.boltdepot.com/ is a good bet..
You can get a box of 100 8X32's 3/4" for under $12...

thanx again !