How to Cut Aluminum the Easy Way - Kevin Caron

From http://www.kevincaron.com - Artist Kevin Caron is starting a new public art sculpture, which will be made of aluminum. To cut the sheets of metal, rather than using his Beverly shear or plasma cutter, Kevin chooses his jigsaw to cut the aluminum and shows you how to keep from scratching the metal. See more how to videos at http://www.kevincaron.com

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Howto & Style

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• video
• how to
• metal
• tools
• free video
• youtube video
• cut
• sheets
• blade
• pattern
• trick
• aluminum
• gauge
• scratch
• curves
• shear
• jigsaw
• metal blade
• argon
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• contemporary art
• public art
• plasma cutter
• contemporary sculpture
• 16 gauge
• sculptor Kevin Caron
• artist Kevin Caron

[ornametalsmith]

nice vid, Kevin. One thing I'd add..........when cutting aluminum w/ bandsaw or jigsaw......I find it faster if I lubricate the blade. I've used WD-40 or wax.......

bill

[kevincaron]

@ornametalsmith Great tip! When I need to cut the next set of panels I will give it a try. But first I have to play with the new toy!!

[Rammy22ify]

Great job

[MrMldillman]

Hey Kevin, sometimes simple gets it, ehh?...

Speaking of simple...can't sleep lately; too much to learn, not enough time~

Gotta twist some steel man...so many cool things need twisting!? =)

[brittond14]

I watch all of your videos. Thank you.

[googacct]

For awkward heights I have sometimes found it useful to put my saw or small shear on a hydraulic lift table. That way I can position exactly even with the table and move the saw instead of the metal.

[koihoshi]

More awesome tips as usual!

[yunarels]

a yeah thats good we make thes to in here

[ruuman]

@VisorBlue get one with a good variable speed control, most of the time using a jigsaw to cut metal you don't want to be screaming along at hi RPM's, if your doing long cuts you don't want to have to hold the trigger down half way and get cramps too.

Also get one with a quick change blade holder, not the stupid screw grip type. Makita do some very nice ones

[2007markb]

Thanks Kevin, that's a great idea. I wish I had thought of that before I use a1/4" piece of uhmw and countersunk some small machine screws to hold it on. Mine looks like overkill now. Great job!