Can you use a Miter Saw to cut aluminum?

You can cut aluminum and even steel using a miter saw, as long as the blades you use are appropriate. Also keep in mind that It will cause more wear than normal woodworking use. If you plan on cutting a lot of metal I’d get a proper saw for it. If you just need to cut a couple pieces for a project you’ll be ok. (don’t forget goggles, metal shavings in your eyes aren’t fun) For steel those metal cutting disks work fine, for aluminum you want something with teeth, or else it’ll just clog up the disk. I normally use old just-about-junk carbide blades to cut aluminum. Clamp the material well, and go slow or the saw might grab/bend/twist the aluminum. Both saws should run less than 5000 rpm and work about the same.

If you’re making a lot of cuts together or cutting thick metal, do it in steps letting the metal cool between each step.

-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.

I must agree with BeachedBones he pretty much nailed it, we use all kinds of saws at work to cut aluminum including just a plain old circular saw, but I might add the right blade is a must and a good metal cutting blade isn’t cheap. If you don’t have much to cut you can always use a thin abrasive wheel in a small grinder. We just call them cutoff wheels at work I don’t know what name there sold under but they work great.

-- Paul Sayre Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Cutting Al will plug up the teeth of your blade. Clean fequently. Edit, I’ve never had the Al burn, but it galls easily.

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Cutting aluminum shouldn’t be a problem. As long as the bade has carbide teeth it will cut it fine. I’ve used regular wood cutting blades to saw sheet aluminum on a table saw. You can buy special blades made specifically for cutting non-ferrous metals. I’ve never had a problem with with burning aluminum on a saw.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

when i worked in the boatyards ,
one day these guys showed up and unloaded lots of aluminum sheets 1/4 ” ,
and then brought in sears woodworking tools ,
tablesaw , bandsaw , joiner ,6” belt/disk sander and various hand machines ( skillsaw etc ),
all low level craftsman tools .

and proceeded to build a 40’ fishing trawler !
no special blades , just carbide , and regular band saw blades .

ungodly noise , but just cut slow and secure the work .

the joiner was what blew my mind .

they did the whole thing with woodworking tools !

then welded it together .
took about 1 month .

now i cut aluminum when ever i need it for projects without worrying ,
just go slow .

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

Hey thanks guys. I usually would have used my angle grinder, but I actually need these things to be square so I figured my miter saw would be best. The idea of taking a normal saw blade into aluminum is a little nerve racking, I would have never tried it on my own.

-- Tom, Simsbury, CT

Make sure you take the dust bag off….Ask me why the plastic dust connector is melted on my saw..DoH!!
I burn’t the bag and melted the plastic when I cut some rebar. I turned my back and my saw caught on Fire!
I was using one of those fiber blades.
Your probably are Ok with aluminum.

-- Beauty Lies Within….

Just be sure to wear your safety glasses.

-- With each new day, celebrate life. Love God with all of your heart. Share Jesus with those around you and make a positive impact on those you meet. Bob

I build antennas for another hobby of mine (Amateur Radio) and I get the aluminum tubing in 6’ length and cut it to size with my Dewalt Miter Saw.
Perfect cuts, just be easy, wear gogle or safety glasses and don’t rush the job you will be rewarded with really nice looking cuts. Have fun and be safe.