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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default Cutting or sourcing 3mm alu sheet/plate

    Hi. I need some aluminium to act as an external flashing.

    I need it to be about 3mm thick by 150mm wide and in lengths 3 or 4 meters long. Any of these dimensions can vary a bit, but those are the ideal.

    I have rung Capral and a few other suppliers without success 6mm x 150 mm or 3 x 100 are the nearest I can find, which is a bit far from spec.

    So I’m thinking of buying a sheet of 3mm and cutting it into strips myself. I have a Ute to get a 3 or 4 meter sheet home no problems.

    I would want the edge to be reasonably clean, but most of it will be concealed so doesn’t have to be perfect.

    However I don’t want the resultant 150mm strips to be all coiled up or with excessively wavy edges, a result I fear I would get from manual snips. So I guess I’m more concerned with how it lays then how it looks.

    What tool would I use for this ?

    My first thought was tablesaw, then I thought about kickback, so that’s out (I’m overly scared of kickback after a previous mishap).

    Then perhaps some sort of metal shears or nibbler. I’ve never used one however so don’t know what is required - do they leave a neat edge - can they be manual or is 3mm too thick - is there a handheld powered shear I can get from a hire shop which will follow a line?

    I am not experienced in working metal so any advice is welcome.

    Cheers
    Arron

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    7,182

    Default

    Table saw with high TPI negative raked teeth circular blade (composite cutting blade) in a portable circular or table saw will easily cut that . If you can't access a negative raked blade then as high a TPI blade as possible.
    Avoid a Low TPI regular ripping blade as this can grab the material and make a mess. When using non negative raked blades the cutting speed can be controlled by putting something like 9mm MFD on top of the Al.

    Make sure you wear full PPE (including a high shirt collar or even a snood if you have one) as the shavings are like little razor blades.

    BTW if you haven't got a negative raked blade for your TS they are well worth getting. I keep it on my TS as my standard blade because I cut more Al than wood. BUT they will still cut wood albeit very slowly but with a super smooth finish. Edge will have a slight burs that can be sanded or filed away.

    My negatively raked blade is a chinese Bosch and cost $69 about 12 years ago and is still cutting well.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
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    64
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    4,887

    Default

    Edcon steel can provide 2400 x150 for around $40.00 a piece.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    505

    Default

    It may be worth trying these people: Aluminium Warehouse - they are in Brookvale.
    I have found them helpful, and if needed they have a large guillotine to cut sheet to the size needed.
    Cheers,
    Bill

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
    Posts
    1,536

    Default

    I’m assuming the flashing is for something other than a building application because roof/gutter type flashings are normally made from 0.43 or 0.6mm Galv or Colourbond.

    Capral can cut it from sheet for you (at least they can here in Adelaide, I assume it’s the same in other states) on a price per cut basis, usually a small lead time of a few days from order.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    589

    Default

    Bunnings sell rolls of the thin stuff 150mm at around $1.60/m but I guess there is a reason why you want 3mm.

    The other thought I had is that the aluminium window manufacturers have many different Al extruded shapes in stock and may have something in that size. Long shot but when I used to work at the Boral Al extrusion plant in the Barossa Valley they had all sorts.

    Or how about - https://www.shapealuminium.net.au/15...inium-flat-bar
    Last edited by Mk1_Oz; 16th Nov 2020 at 02:29 PM. Reason: link added

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Yep, Edcon can do it by selling me a sheet of 2400 x 1200 and cutting it up for me. Cost is $240 which is nothing for this application. Only problem is length at 2400 is not ideal, but may be best compromise.

    It’s a little odd that Capral didn’t mention this option as I talked to them for some time. Never mind, Edcon is closer.

    Cheers and thanks
    Arron

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Toorloo Arm, VIC
    Age
    39
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    1,270

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arron View Post
    Yep, Edcon can do it by selling me a sheet of 2400 x 1200 and cutting it up for me. Cost is $240 which is nothing for this application. Only problem is length at 2400 is not ideal, but may be best compromise.

    It’s a little odd that Capral didn’t mention this option as I talked to them for some time. Never mind, Edcon is closer.

    Cheers and thanks
    Arron
    If you would rather have a longer length, you'd probably need to find a local fabrication company with a long enough guillotine to handle the length you desire, and ask them to cut you a bunch of strips. Perhaps an aluminium boat builder might be the best bet, as they'd be more likely to have long enough sheets in stock? Over 2400 becomes somewhat of a 'non-standard' size as far as I'm aware. Just a thought, if having the longer length would make life easier.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    395

    Default

    I’ve cut sheet Al ok with my Festo track saw with the appropriate blade.
    Some cutting grease or kero would help.
    H
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
    Posts
    1,910

    Default

    3000X1500X3 is a standard sheet size for aluminium and I would grab it with PVC coating if possible so as to preserve the surface (no scratches) while you cut it. As far as cutting goes, either a guillotine (3M+ guillotines are a common item so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone with one) or as others have said a circular saw with high tooth count blade. No need for lube up to 6mm with a circular saw and if you do need lube then either metho or a quick squirt of WD40 will suffice.
    I don't know how much you need, but other common sizes of material are 1200X3600 or even 6000X1500 (we used to buy a lot of sheets of 6000X1500X2 for building toolboxes).
    I don't know exactly what you are doing, but perhaps the composite panel (aluminium both sides with plastic in the middle) could be an option. Ullrich Aluminium market this product and it is available in a variety of finishes. It too comes in 2400X1200 and 3000X1500 sheets and cuts with either a guillotine or a circular saw.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    Some years ago I used to buy 3.6 Mtr by 12 mm wide strips 0.6 mm thick, it worked out far cheaper than buying a 50 Kg coil, to buy 3.6 x 2.4 Mtr sheets and have it guillotined into 3.6 Mtr strips.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

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