Cutting Dibond, Alupanel, etc

[Venom]

Just bought the TS 55R Plunge Cut Saw with Aluminium blade to cut Dibond, Alupanel, etc and was wondering if anyone has used this unit for such an application. Wanting to know what speed to run the saw.

 

[antss]

Not exactly dibond , but I've cut 13mm all aluminum honeycomb panels before.  Setting 4ish if I recall right. 

I'm not sure how the plastic in that Dibond is going to react though. I'd start a bit slower and see how the cut is. You've got material for test cuts right ?

I'm betting the manufacturer or their rep has some guidelines for you. Just give them a call.

 

[Venom]

No worries, thanks for the input. Yes I have plenty of scrap to test on and I will take your advice on the slower speed setting, cheers.

 

[antss]

If you're doing a ton of this on a reg. basis Mafell and Makita make grooving saws for this stuff. 

Not sure if they're available in the USA though.

 

[Venom]

Don't need it for V-cutting/grooving, just straight cutting. Have been looking at reviews on other forums and nearly everyone has responded that it is like a knife through butter, even with acrylics, lexan and the like. Was just worried about running the saw at too higher speed.

 

[Shane Holland]

The recommended blade speed for aluminum is anywhere between 3-6. As suggested, a few test cuts will let you know which works best.

Guide rails can be cut quite efficiently with the stock blade at speed setting 6 from what I've seen.  [eek]

 

[Venom]

Thanks for the additional info Shane, much appreciated [smile]

 

[Nat X]

Polyethylene doesn't tend to re-weld itself back together as readily as acrylic and polycarbonate, nor does it spew out as many toxic fumes when heated. I've never cut Dibond but I've run through plenty of HDPE at 6 without issues.

 

[Holmz]

I forget what setting so probably flat out. I just set the depth and went hard at it and it worked fine.
It is nice stuff to work with.

 

[Venom]

Hi Nat X, so you are using the TS 55?

 

[antss]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] - ToolNut now selling custom sized guide rails are they?  [tongue]

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] - ToolNut now selling custom sized guide rails are they?  [tongue]

[member=727]antss[/member], I don't speak from experience, but I have seen a few of them anywhere from nicked to destroyed on here over the years. Also, I have witnessed the Kapex with the stock blade cut the corners off the fence. So, they all cut aluminum quite well.  [tongue]

 

[Rob-GB]

[member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] - ToolNut now selling custom sized guide rails are they?  [tongue]

[member=727]antss[/member], I don't speak from experience, but I have seen a few of them anywhere from nicked to destroyed on here over the years. Also, I have witnessed the Kapex with the stock blade cut the corners off the fence. So, they all cut aluminum quite well.  [tongue]

Tungsten carbide teeth do very well at cutting various other metals, the cannibals of there ilk, if you like.  [big grin]
Having used table saws to cut aluminium, duralumin and brass I have to say it is not the blade speed but the feed speed that matters. That is to say, that, the feed of the material needs to be slower than that of timber at the same blade speed.
For best results though a negative rake triple chip blade is better.

Rob.

 

[Jim Metzger]

I have cut Dibond with TS55 and Aluminum blade. Pretty sure it was at 6 with no issues. You will have to do a light pass with a file on the cut edges, not because they are rough but they are razor sharp.

Then I did cross cuts with a Kapex and stock blade. That  also went well. Vac left a little more dust and chips than cutting wood.

Jim

 

[Venom]

Thanks Jim, good to know.

 

[Venom]

Just completed cutting Dibond with the TS 55R, totally exceeded my expectations. What a beautiful machine, one of the best investments I have made. Absolutely effortless and quiet. Set the speed to about 4.5 with the Aluminium blade, ran it through pretty slowly and let the saw do the work. Edges are incredible!

 

[Shane Holland]

[thumbs up]

Glad you report your settings and results for someone else who's trying to do this in the future. Good info.

 

[Venom]

No worries Shane, as you can probably tell I'm pretty excited  [smile] Feel like cutting more material just for the sake of it [big grin]