Can You Cut Aluminum With A Table Saw: (in 2024)

Even though the best table saw is made to cut wood, that doesn’t mean that’s all it can do. It can cut different types of wood, plastic, PVC pipe, styrofoam, and cardboard. But what about things like metal that last longer?

The question is: Can you cut aluminum with a table saw? Yes. You can cut aluminum with a table saw, but it’s not the best saw to use because it can kick back. It’s also not good for cutting very thin pieces of aluminum.

Some of these things are easier to cut than aluminum. It is a real safety risk, and some steps must be taken to make sure the cut is done well and safely. This article will teach you how to cut aluminum with a table saw and how to cut aluminum in other, better, and more effective ways.

Can you Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw?

As stated at the beginning of this piece, a table saw can be used to cut aluminum. But don’t stop here! A few things should be kept in mind if you want to learn how to cut aluminum properly and safely.

In the first part of this piece, we’ll talk about the tools you’ll need to cut aluminum on a table saw. Then, step by step, you’ll learn how to start cutting aluminum with a table saw and what safety measures to take. To finish this job well, you need to read everything in this article.

Which Type of Saw Blade is Utilized to Cut Aluminum?

When you ask if you can cut aluminum with a table saw, you are really asking if you can cut aluminum with a blade made of wood. As a maker, you always have that kind of blade on your table saw. So, can you use a wood blade to cut aluminum?

Well, you can use regular woodworking blades with a lot of carbide tips to cut metal on a table saw. Remember that the tips of a normal wood saw blade are more likely to grab the metal and break it.

Because it is soft, aluminum is pretty easy to cut. Most of the time, most types of wood saw blades can be used to cut non-ferrous metals. But if you use a wood blade, you need to think about how many TPI (teeth per inch) it has. The metal will cut more smoothly and the carbide tip will be less likely to break if the saw blade has more teeth.

The thickness of the thing you want to cut will also affect what kind of blade you need. Most of the time, a normal nonferrous blade will work fine on aluminum, but as you get closer to a thinner size, you will need to reduce the number of teeth on your blade.

Almost all of the big blade makers make blades that are made to cut things that aren’t made of metal. In fact, most companies have special kinds of carbide for cutting aluminum on a table saw. If you plan to cut nonferrous metals often, We would suggest that you use a table saw blade for aluminum.

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How to Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw, Step-by-Step:

If you want to learn how to cut metal with a table saw, you should do things in a certain way. Follow these steps to make sure you don’t hurt yourself while working on a project and to get a better finish on your part. If you want to get started, follow this step-by-step guide.

Before you turn on the machine, the first and most important thing you need to do is make sure you’ve taken all of the safety steps you just read.
Unplug the power line before making any changes to the table saw.
If you don’t already have an aluminum-cutting blade on the table saw, replace the blade with one.
Oil the blade well to lessen the amount of friction. To do this, you can just use WD-40.
If you have a table saw that lets you change the speed, this is a better thing to do. Depending on how thick the metal plate is, the speed should be changed. Aluminum should be cut at a speed of 1000–1200 feet per minute.
Find out how high the leaf is now. If you put the blade higher than the metal, you might get a kickback or tear on the sides, but you’ll be able to cut faster. With a much lower blade height, you can get smooth cuts, but it will take longer.
Now you can turn on the machine and cut the metal. Use a push stick to stay out of the way of the gun’s kickback.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Table Saw Cutting:

A table saw with enough power can cut through metal, but it isn’t always the best saw for cutting metal often. Here are a few reasons why you might want to choose a different saw.

Metal Shavings:

When people use a table saw to cut metal shaving, the most common thing they don’t like is how much metal shaving gets everywhere. As you cut, they fly off the saw blade and land all over the table. Some even fly up toward your face.

This is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous, which is why you should wear face protection when you use a table saw to cut metal.

Also, these sharp metal bits make it hard to clean up. You can’t just use your hand to brush the bits away. You could try compressed air, but if the bits are too big, it might not work. You might need a soft-bristled brush and a dustpan to get them off your saw.

Making a New Cut:

If you’re done with wood, this probably won’t bother you much, but if you still want to use the table saw to cut wood, you’ll have to change the blade often.

Changing the saw blade isn’t a big deal, but switching back and forth between blades can be annoying, especially if you’re in a hurry.

Kickback:

Kickback is a major risk whenever you use a table saw, no matter what you’re cutting. The risks are even higher when you use a table saw to cut something it wasn’t made to cut.

If you want to cut metal with your table saw, you might want to give it a tune-up and make sure all the parts are in the right place. Check that both the blade and the fence are aligned to the miter slot and that the splitter is exactly behind the blade.

Also, make sure the safety guard is set up correctly and that you use a push tool to move the metal into the blade. The purpose of the push tool is to keep your hands and body from getting pulled into the blade.

Lastly, check where you are and where everyone else is. Make sure that no one is in the “kickback zone.” When a piece of material kicks back, it usually goes right behind the saw, where most people stand while using it.

Take Precautions When Cutting Aluminum With a Table Saw:

Since safety is the most important thing, there are a few things you should make sure of before you start. With these safety steps, you can be sure that cutting aluminum on a table saw is safe.

Utilize the Proper Safety Equipment:

Accidents can occur in an instant, so it is prudent to be prepared with safety eyewear or, even better, a face shield. At all times, wear apparel that shields your arms from flying snow. Earplugs will shield your hearing from the loud sounds generated by the cutting process.

Pushing Equipment:

It becomes increasingly advantageous to keep your palms away from the blade.

A push handle allows you to advance the part while keeping your hands at a safe distance and maintaining control over the aluminum’s stability. We consistently use my crosscut sled to cut smaller components.

Choose The Correct Blade: (Best Table Saw Blade For Cutting Aluminum)

It is essential that the strength of the blade matches that of aluminum. The likelihood of the blade breaking or bending increases if the incorrect blade is used. You can read more about this in the preceding section. Follow the table to determine the correct number of teeth on the blade in order to make precise incisions safely.

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The Collection of Dust:

Remember to turn off the dust collection system before using the table saw to cut wood. Because the hot aluminum fragments can start a fire in the container.

Lubrication:

The aluminum is prone to overheating and flaking. To prevent this and ensure a seamless cut, lubricate the blade well before use and add oil frequently. You can find more information about this earlier in the article.

What Other Metals Can s Table Saw Cut?

Aside from aluminum, brass, steel, and titanium are the metals that are used most often in business. Whether or not you can cut those metals depends on how hard the blade is.

Tin is not as hard as these metals, so it can be cut with a table saw. Some blades are even covered with diamonds to help them cut through tough metals.

Even the hardest metals, like titanium, can be cut with the right blade. If you put the wood-cutting blade up against a tough metal, it would break.

If you want to cut steel, metal, or other hard materials, you’ll probably need blades that are harder. If enough force is used and the right blade is used, a table saw can cut almost any metal.

Could we use my table saw to cut things other than aluminum? No, that’s not true. We’d rather buy a blade like the one shown below and use it for whatever it can do. We think this will extend the life of the tools and make the cuts better.

Other Ways To Cut Aluminium:

With the right blade, a crosscut saw or a miter saw can be used to cut aluminum. Dust collectors are often built into both saws to keep the chips from going everywhere.

Electric shears are more movable than a table saw and can cut thin pieces of aluminum without warping the edge or spraying metal shavings in your face.

Bench shears can also cut aluminum sheets up to 1/8 inch thick. Most of the time, these are better for smaller metal pieces. Electric scissors are the best way to cut longer pieces of aluminum sheet metal.

Bottom Line: Can you Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw

Aluminum can be cut using a table saw, although doing so is not recommended despite the fact that it is possible. Because the teeth on the blade are intended for use while cutting through tough materials, the edge of the blade will become dull very rapidly when it is used to cut aluminum. Table saws, on the other hand, are capable of cutting aluminum if equipped with the appropriate blade.

FAQs

Will a Diamond Blade Cut Aluminum?

A diamond blade is a tool that is used to cut through tough things. Small diamonds are stuck to the top of a metal matrix. Stone, concrete, and asphalt are often cut with diamond tools.

Some people have asked if a metal can be cut with a diamond blade. Yes, it is possible, but it’s not a good idea because the metal will quickly dull the blade.

Can I Use a Blade for Cutting Concrete to Cut Aluminum?

This question has no clear answer because it depends on the blade and how thick the metal is. In general, though, it’s not a good idea to use a concrete blade to cut metal because the heat could damage both the blade and the aluminum.

Will a Steel Blade Cut Aluminum?

Some people aren’t sure if a steel blade can cut metal or not. Some people say that the two materials are too different and that the blade won’t be able to cut them cleanly.

Some people say that a steel blade can easily cut through metal with the right amount of force. We think it all comes down to what kind of steel the blade is made of and how thick the metal is.

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Can you Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw

Can you Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw?

Which Type of Saw Blade is Utilized to Cut Aluminum?

How to Cut Aluminum with a Table Saw, Step-by-Step: