RichardAllen Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I have no sheet metal working experience, but want to have a go at making some small drawers, fascia bits etc out of sheet aluminium, so I am after some advice. This http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-750mm-Sheet-Metal-Worker-23170.htm seems to do a bit of everything and it is affordable. If I want to make a shallow box/tray, say 300mm x 600mm by 50mm deep will this machine do ? I am clear that I can use the shear to get the right size plate to start with, but can I also use it to cut the corner notches. ? Can I bend all 4 box sides fully using the press brake ? If so, do I just bend one after the other, or is it easier to do it a different way ? The spec says it can bend/roll/shear 1.5mm aluminium. Does this mean that there is no chance of working 2mm chequer plate, even if annealed ? Apparently I should not cut aluminium sheet with an angle grinder - is this hard and fast, or are there ways around ? If not, I do have a 2 speed wood working band saw, can I buy a blade for cutting Aluminium on it, if so what spec ? I have had a look through the threads but may have missed the "Metal Working for Dummies" one I have also failed to find much help on the net, apart from a couple of youtube video's, so anyone know any good sites covering basic sheet metal working ? All help gratefully received. Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 The spec says it can bend/roll/shear 1.5mm aluminium. Does this mean that there is no chance of working 2mm chequer plate, even if annealed ? Chequer plate is evil stuff to bend because of the raised chequers, and personally I think it's over-rated and over-used anyway Apparently I should not cut aluminium sheet with an angle grinder - is this hard and fast, or are there ways around ? If not, I do have a 2 speed wood working band saw, can I buy a blade for cutting Aluminium on it, if so what spec ? We cut everything with the ultra-thin (<1mm) cutting discs and they are fine. Obviously all the usual safety stuff about rotating blades and flying sparks applies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydiesel Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 The reason you shouldn't gring alluminium is that it clogs the disc up and it can then overheat and explode. I my experiance though once the disc become clogged it becomes useless to the point where you carn't get it hot enough to cause problems, i have however had a clogged disc explode when used on steel afterwards. So now i keep the used discs seperate depending on what its used for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisM_110 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Rusty steel + aluminium = thermite. Nasty. A good reason to keep cutting/grinding discs seperate for steel and ally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 I have the axminster 3 in 1 sheet metal worker and have to say its brilliant, you can do more than the capacities it specifies and its a godsend for simple sheet jobs, ive used it for all my d-lander stuff its well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bush65 Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I have been told it is best to lubricate the thin cutting discs with candle wax when cutting aluminium. Just touch the edge of the spinning disc on a candle as required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 i believe chalk can be used as well... like you would when fileing ali, to stop it clogging up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Is a jigsaw not ok for cutting ally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Is a jigsaw not ok for cutting ally? A jigsaw is fine, although tricky to get a nice straight edge. 1.5mm ally is pretty easy to cut with a pair of tin snips, hand shears or a hand nibbler thing. It's a bit thick for kitchen scissors which will happily cut 1mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardAllen Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 Looks like the axminster tool, sheet ali and a thin angle grinder wheel with precautions - I never could achieve good results with my jigsaw. Thanks to all. Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejparrott Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 you need the Workshop Practice book on sheet metal work. costs about £8, nice handy A5 format, and written in good easy to understand language. Its number 8 in the series, written by R E Wakeford, and the ISBN is 0-85242-849-9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 A jigsaw is fine, although tricky to get a nice straight edge. 1.5mm ally is pretty easy to cut with a pair of tin snips, hand shears or a hand nibbler thing. It's a bit thick for kitchen scissors which will happily cut 1mm. Well I clamp a bit of corner section and run the jigsaw along against that, result is one nice straight edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardAllen Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 Thanks to all. SWMBO has just decided she does not want to wqork for a while, so the axminster tool will have to wait. The workshop practice book is expected from Aamzon any day, so I can read up and plan my design and maybe santa will give me a metal working toy for Christmas. I am also amazed at how generous two baby daughters can be at the end of the year. Thanks again for the advice Regards Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 I have the axminster 3 in 1 sheet metal worker and have to say its brilliant, you can do more than the capacities it specifies and its a godsend for simple sheet jobs, ive used it for all my d-lander stuff its well worth the money. mmmm that looks like a nice bit of kit. Marc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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