What's the right tool for cutting corner alu profile?

[Dreadnaught]

Outside cladding > Cedral Lap planks > Aluminium corner profile (1mm thick, 3m length, powder coated).

 

What tool to use to cut it? Tin snips? Something else?

 

Want a nice clean cut. And want to re-use the off-cut somewhere else on the façade.

 

 

 

[saveasteading]

I would make a real hash of that using a hacksaw, but perhaps a more skilled person would not.

 

Tin snips are very tricky and would not be very straight, but that is what a skilled metal-worker person would most likely do on site, using all three left, right and straight-cut snips.

 

I would probably try a chop saw, assuming there is a metal blade available for it, and first put a timber stiffener into the section to stop it deflecting during cutting.

I think that is basically what a window manufacturer would use, albeit on thicker metal.

[markc]

At 1mm thick it’s a hacksaw or cutting disk, tinsnipsb would distort the profile and chip the powder coat. I would use an ultra thin cutting disk .. masking tape where you want to cut, mark the line and then straight through nice and clean, tape protects the coating

[SteamyTea]

Are you trying to mitre cut?

I would make a jig up. But then I like to use a jig if I am drilling more than I hole.

[James94]

Depending on what angle you are trying to cut, you might be able to insert timber to strengthen to be aluminium  and clamp against other sections and use a cross cut saw with a very good blade. Try on waste pieces first.

Regards. James

[Onoff]

2 bits of rectangular timber cut to size and slid up inside, chop saw with a fine blade is one way.

 

Tbh my Sheppach bandsaw would do that with ease.

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2021 by Onoff

[Dreadnaught]

Thanks all! Marvellous. That's really helpful advice. 

 

I think that my first try will be: sacrificial timber inside, tape outside, and a fine hack saw.

[Temp]

Hacksaw with smallest teeth you can get.

 

Turn it so the blade is always at the correct angle when you transition from one face to the next.

 

Possibly put a wood block inside so it can be clamped. 

 

Take your time.

[Roundtuit]

As above, hacksaw and carefully, and deffo some timber to stop the profile distorting.    There might be a risk of burning the powder coating back from the edge a bit if a cutting disc is used.

[SteamyTea]

2 hours ago, Roundtuit said:

There might be a risk of burning the powder coating back from the edge a bit if a cutting disc is used.

Not if you go really quick with it.

[MikeSharp01]

4 hours ago, Onoff said:

Sheppach bandsaw

I was looking for one of those a few weeks back but no one had any stock - did the job with my reciprocating saw.

[Onoff]

20 minutes ago, MikeSharp01 said:

I was looking for one of those a few weeks back but no one had any stock - did the job with my reciprocating saw.

 

They are surprisingly good. I've got some aftermarket blades too. I've even been cutting M16 stainless steel studding with it. 

 

Someone has even converted theirs to a traditional band saw with the addition of a cutting bed. 

Edited November 10, 2021 by Onoff