Cutting Metal with Woodworking Tools

I recently did a PC build for Axpona 2018.  I really wanted the wooden PC case to attach to a white-oak base using a couple of 6010 aluminum struts, but I have ZERO experience cutting metal.  At first, I started by setting up my X-Carve CNC with as light of passes as I could muster.  I haven’t really dialed in the rigidity of the Y-axis on my machine as much as I should with these sorts of cuts so I was wobbling all over the place.  6010 aluminum is also pretty tough stuff. So I didn’t want to wait three days to cut the stuff.

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I ended up cutting the outline with the CNC then following up with edge guides and a cutoff wheel to cut out the final shape.  A couple of problems with a cutoff wheel though A) they wear out quickly, especially in non-ferrous metals and 2) they spray sparkles EVERYWHERE.

This year, I was sent the new Diablo Steel Demon, (UPDATE: this item has been discontinued at HD but a similar one is available, the original is available at Amazon) and it is on a whole other level.  This is more like what professionals use to cut metal. No sparks, no heat, and a smooth clean edge.  If you have a good enough shop vacuum, and a saw with decent dust collection, you can even keep the metal chips at bay.

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Super clean and cool to the touch cuts with this @diablo_tools steel demon blade WHIPPING through some 6010 aluminum sheet. Just let your wife know you will be cutting aluminum or she will think you had a wild night out, that glitter sticks to you forever. I had a little bit of scrap I wanted to clean up, 6010 ain’t cheap. The @ridgidpowertools new Octane saw was perfect for this blade too with it’s slightly lower blade speed. What do you use to cut metal I your shop? I was using a cutoff wheel until now. This post is part of a paid partnership with @homedepot #thdprospective #homedepotpartner . . . #thepurge #scraps #scrapping #6010 #aluminum #diabloblades #freud #homedepot #newtool #teamridgid #teamorange #octane #makersgottamake #metalworking #steelcutting #woodworklife

A post shared by Rick – WoodWorkLIFE (@thewoodworklife) on Mar 26, 2019 at 8:57am PDT

All of this was just an excuse to show you that system I built again AND to talk about the new system I am building for the DJ Jauz.  Video should be up sometime in May, pretty pumped about it.

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This lovely system is headed to #CES2019 for the @aorus_official @gigabyte_official booth. Go by and check it out in person if you are in Vegas next week. @ups please be nice to this one, and GODSPEED. You messed up my last tradeshow opportunity and this one is even bigger. DM me if you want the shipping details to take special care of it. . . . #woodenpc #epicpc #pcbuild #scratchpc #gamingpc #custompc #woodworking #ces #consumerelectronics #consumerelectronicsshow #woodworker #diyer #wood #maker #makersgonnamake #makersgottamake #woodworklife #madeinstlouis

A post shared by Rick – WoodWorkLIFE (@thewoodworklife) on Jan 3, 2019 at 10:30am PST

I have not worked with much metal in my shop, but I with the Steel Demon living here I might do a bit more.  Do you like combining steel and wood? Or aluminum and wood?

What do you use to cut metal?

Rick

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