Hi all,
I’m looking to make leg frames for a desk out of 1/4" aluminum. Given the price of manufacturing online I’m hoping to buy sheet stock and get it cut, welded, coated myself.
Do we have any tools that can cut shapes from 1/4" x 36" x24" sheet aluminum?
If so, id be happy to pay someone for their time to safely facilitate it!
In the future, the same offer is out for welding, and powder coating if you have those tools/skills.
Thanks!
Dan
Hi Dan,
Either of the Laguna CNC machines should be capable of cutting this size aluminum plate. Aluminum tends to be very “gummy” and stick to cutting tools if not properly evacuated. There are cutting tool geometries and coatings specifically for aluminum.
Please keep in mind that we don’t allow the use of cutting fluids on these two CNC machines, and you will need to find an alternative chip management strategy like vacuum or compressed air.
I’ve successfully cut 3/16” brass on the smaller IQ CNC, with a conservative feed/speed and following behind with a shop vac. If you would like to take a stab at the aluminum parts together I’m happy to.
Alternatively, @JoeN has a fiber laser that may be able to accommodate 1/4” aluminum
Sorry I can can’t cut 1/4" on my fiber laser cutter. I would need more power. I am considering an upgrade.
Awesome I might just take you up on seeing if we can take a stab at it. I don’t have the aluminum just yet so if anyone has more confidence I’d love to stay safer haha.
For the Lagunas, if I want to pre-prepare the cut file what type should I be saving as? Also, any idea what bit you’d start with so I can lay parts out correctly?
Ahh, is what it is, sounds like a cool upgrade though.