how to cut aluminium tiles...

[redrex]

hi all,

did a glass splashback a few weeks ago and following on from that, I have been recommended to a customer who would like a splashback done in 98mmx98mm 4mm thick aluminium tiles. It isn't a huge area but I know that I will have to make a few cuts...question is with what? I dont really want to use the trusty hacksaw because of how long it might take and metal shears only seem to be able to do a couple of mm, was wondering if any one knows of any wet saw blades that I can use in my little wet cutter (plasplugs mastertiler) that don't cost a fortune. It is fix only as customer has purchased everything else already. Oh and I need to get it tomorrow as doing the job over the weekend.

Cheers guys

Ed

 

[sWe]

There are metal cutting blades specifically for aluminium that gives a clean cut, the teeth of which are covered with different carbides or diamonds. Go for one with a high tooth count, as 4mm is fairly thin. These blades tend to need lubrication, but I'm not entirely sure it's a good idea to use them in small submerged wet saws or saws with submerged waterpumps, because of the metal waste... They're more commonly used in compound mitre saws and the like, with a spray bottle of water or some such.

 

[Rob Z]

We have cut a lot of metal with our wetsaws, with seemingly no ill-effects on the blades. Marcus could be correct though about the metal dust getting into the pump.

We also cut a lot of metal (shower door parts, etc) with the mitre saw. As noted, use a blade with a lot of teeth, VERY SLOW rate of cut, and don't let the blade bind AT ALL. Cutting metal is even less forgiving that with wood, and any binding with the blade will result in the piece being thrown and or damage to the blade.

 

[Steadfast]

BTW Redrex, where did your customers go for their glass splashback. Have a cousin & his Mrs who were thinking about buying B&Q lime green glass splashbacks 1x 600 x700mm and 2x 140 x 1000 but were put off by their turnaround time to order them. The splashbacks had self adhesive on them for application to walls. Perhaps was a blessing in disguise they not bought them.

Anyway, good luck with this job!:icon4:.

 

[Colour Republic]

You be careful when fixing round those sockets :yikes:

 

[david campbell]

used a metal cutting blade on my grinder for them,only cost a couple of quid and since i've not done them or look like doing them anytime soon seems it was a better option than finding an appropriste blade for my wet saw!

 

[trevortine]

Im with rob on this one, cut a lot of borders with my wet saw and no probs, just make sure theres plenty water getting to the blade and take it slow, trouble with grinders is most metal cutting blades are for ferrous metals, aluminium being non ferrous will just choke up the disc and doesnt really give good clean cut. ps. been in topps three times this week and davy c wasnt proppin up the counter drinkin tea, somethin wrong!!!

 

[cornish_crofter]

used a metal cutting blade on my grinder for them,only cost a couple of quid and since i've not done them or look like doing them anytime soon seems it was a better option than finding an appropriste blade for my wet saw!

Taking this a step further, you can get a device to hold a grinder in place and use it like a chop saw.

Alternitively, would tin snips do the job where the cuts are going to be hidden?

 

[Rob Z]

You be careful when fixing round those sockets :yikes:

That is a good point, one time I was measuring on the backsplash and my metal tape measure touched the hot screw on the receptacle that was hanging out. It sparked and tripped the breaker, and burned the tape halfway across. :yikes:

 

[redrex]

Thanks for all the replies guys,

its a bit late and i really do try to reply quickly when you have all been kind enough to respond....been dropping my missus off to Heathrow to see her folks in Australia, 15 minutes there from Chiswick but some muppet decided to close M4 for roadworks back in and A4 for roadworks too:mad2: 2 hours to get back-means nothing if you don't know this bit of town but if you do i'm sure i have your sympathy (don't even get me started on the M4 bus lane)...I digress...

anyhow, i figured angle grinder was the cheapest option but im picking up a couple of tiles to experiment at home tomorrow evening(product familiarisation to the customer:smilewinkgrinbefore i get cracking Saturday-although i will google the converter for an angle grinder to chop saw. Sockets noted! the power will be OFF as I had a feeling that addy and metal tiles and power sockets may not mix too well:yikes:

As for the splashback, I made it myself...was pretty much presented with a 6mm bit of glass and handed a copy of house & garden and asked 'can you make me one of those coloured ones?' though yeah ok....painted back with a couple of thick coats of hammerite smooth, very slowly so no bubbles (£15) dry overnight, then bought a couple of metres of silvered mirror backing film from glazier and stuck on(£1 a linear foot, although you can buy this stuff for about £50 a 25m roll if you do a few)) couple of tubes of ceresit from screwfix and bobs your uncle(although i understand that glazing adhesive is best if you are sticking directly to the glass) I contemplated sticking with tape but unless the substrate is billiard table flat you have no chance of getting a good bond( i was sticking to lathe and plaster wall put in about 1896 so not very flat). 10 minutes later I couldn't move the glass even with 2 suckers and lifting myself off the ground, so i don't think its going anywhere.

interestingly the glass shop i bought the backing from quoted nearly £400 to suppy and fit (about £250 to supply alone).....i charged less than half including materials (mates rates) and friend thought she had a bargain and i was happy with a bit of pocket money. Glass? it really is the future! seriously it doesn't take much effort and unless you manage to break the stuff, as long as your carefull, produces a really smart finish. the customer perception is of high value...maybe worth suggesting if you want to try and increase profit and not charge a fortune but still have a really smart finish.

anyway, im off to get my body armour ready for tomorrow...spinning angle grinders and aluminium tiles.

Ed

 

[David - Tradetiler]

Angle grinder is very dangerous. I don't know of an abrasive/diamond blade that will do it. A toothed saw blade with negative rake tooth profile would be the only way. Not somethg I would ever put in an angle ginder!

If it is aluminium without a ceramic backing then a standard hack saw will be ok and really safe too.

 

[david campbell]

Im with rob on this one, cut a lot of borders with my wet saw and no probs, just make sure theres plenty water getting to the blade and take it slow, trouble with grinders is most metal cutting blades are for ferrous metals, aluminium being non ferrous will just choke up the disc and doesnt really give good clean cut. ps. been in topps three times this week and davy c wasnt proppin up the counter drinkin tea, somethin wrong!!!

well noticed dougie! is it true some people think i work there lol!:lol::lol::lol:
starting to get a bit busier though hope things are doing ok yourself!

 

[faithhealer]

Never cut Aluminium tiles before but do know that ally can 'bind up' on cutting blades of any description without a lot of lubricant . Agree with Dave that angle grinding is too dangerous and a hacksaw is your safest bet for a one off.

 

[redrex]

Re: how to cut aluminium tiles...problem solved!!!

Hi all,

Thanks for all the suggestions..I spent sat and sunday doing my prep and getting the main tiles on the wall. I must have looked at everything from hacksaws to angle grinders and even contemplated buying a scroll saw with metal cutting blade......then I thought 'what do I have that I havn't tried?' so last night I pulled out my plasplugs and put in the blade that came with it, figuring that I don't want to wreck an expensive one-lets just see what happens. It's pretty shagged now as it has had porc cutting duty and I didn't hold out much hope but..........LIKE A KNIFE THROUGH BUTTER!!!!!:hurray: I couldnt believe it-the original general purpose blade. What i am even happier with is that the mastertiler only cost £90 at that place whos name shall not be heard (B&Q...cos they dont have any staff on the tills) and came with this blade....mral of the story is, maybe the simplest and most obvious solution is the best one? Any one else had a good news story like this?

Ed

 

[Eddie]

glad you got the prob sorted. Now i know what to use when i come up against them.. Cheers, Edd