On Dec 16, 3:12*am, Ian White GM3SEK wrote:
Larry Gauthier (K8UT) wrote:
I bought a non-ferrous metal blade for my power miter saw - works great
on antenna aluminum projects - even built a special jig for cutting
vertical "slits" in aluminum tubing.

At last - someone using the right tool for the job! Circular saw blades
for non-ferrous metal cutting are specially designed to reduce the
dangers of jammed blades and flying metal.

As well as having many small teeth, the front cutting edge of each tooth
slopes slightly backward to avoid digging into the soft metal (known as
"negative rake"). Also the top profile of each tooth is designed to
remove the metal as small chips.

Even negative rake blades are not jam-proof, especially when cutting
through tubing. Half-way through the cut, it becomes very easy to hook a
tooth into the wall of the tube, and BANG - it jams. Larry is very right
to be using a jig to hold everything very firmly.

--

73 from Ian GM3SEK * * * * 'In Practice' columnist for RadCom (RSGB)http://www.ifwtech.co.uk/g3sek

I also believe in the right tool for the right job too but when I saw
the $80 USD price tag on the right blade using the wrong one became
more appealing. Also I had read a magazine article on using regular
carbide tipped tools meant for wood to cut non ferrous metal. The
article is WRONG, Its dangerous. I finished cutting my panels with a
jig saw. I lowered the table on drill press to make it flush with my
table saw to make use of it's fench as a guide and installed a mill in
the press. I used the mill to plane the edges of raw cuts. Unless I
ever find the occasion to do small production run this will be the
way I do it from now on.

Jimmie