CUTTING ALUMINUM
Aluminum extrusions such as used for making aluminum screens and storm windows can easily be cut with your compound miter saw. When cutting aluminum extrusions, or other sections that can be cut with a saw blade and are within the capacity of the machine, position the material so the blade is cutting through the smallest cross- section, as shown in Fig. 35. The wrong way to cut aluminum angles is illustrated in Fig. 36. Be sure to apply a stick wax (similar to Johnson’s stick wax #140) to the blade before cutting any aluminum stock. This stick wax is available at most industrial mill supply houses. The stick wax provides proper lubrication and keeps chips from adhering to the blade.
WARNING: NEVER APPLY LUBRICANT TO THE BLADE WHILE THE MACHINE IS RUNNING.
BLADE
FENCE
RIGHT
Fig. 35
FENCE
BLADE
WRONG
Fig. 36
CUTTING BOWED MATERIAL
When cutting flat pieces, first check to see if the material is bowed. If it is, make sure the material is positioned on the table as shown in Fig. 37.
If the material is positioned the wrong way, as shown in Fig. 38, the workpiece will pinch the blade near the completion of the cut.
RIGHT
Fig. 37
WRONG
Fig. 38
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