On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 21:28:57 -0500, "Jim and Becky"
wrote:

I own a 32' fishing boat.
The superstructure is 3/16th aluminum. I want to saw out the port wheelhouse
wall as I convert the boat into a family cruiser.

I intend to use a carbide tipped blade made for aluminum on a 7 1/4" skill
saw.

I'm wondering about lubrication. I've read parrafin wax would work. How much
do they mean? The amount you'd rub on a snow ski or an 1/4" mound of the
stuff?

Does anyone think the skill saw idea is bad?


Aluminum is a soft metal and can be cut with about anything. In fact
you could use a hand saw with a fine tooth blade.

Using power tools You will encounter two problem areas.

First, heat buildup caused by friction. A skill saw intended for
cutting wood may have a higher blade speed then ideal for cutting
aluminum.

There second problem you may encounter is that if the aluminum is one
of the softer variates it will tend to clog the saw blade.

I would suggest, if possible, you use a sabre saw with variable
speed.. High speed steel blades will be quite adequate. You don't need
carbide tips although if you do use the skill saw the carbide tips
will withstand the heat better.

The ideal lubricant to use is "Tap Magic" which is a product developed
for tapping screw holes and it really does work like magic. Just be
sure to specify that it is for aluminum.

If you don't want to go to the bother of locating tap magic a
"secret" I was taught during my apprentice days was to use kerosene or
diesel fuel as a cutting fluid for aluminum. Use a "squirt can" and
give it a squirt from time to time.


Anon
)
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