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Aluminium Composite enquiry!
I make alot of signs for yards, etc.. have been using aluminium composite which i have to buy cut in sizes normally 450 x 300, as i have no way of cutting it, however its working out fairly expensive, should i keep using this or what alternatives have i?
BC. -
16 Replies
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Who you getting it off Brian? It’s not hard to cut with a straight edge and sharp knife.
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As Harry says – stanley or scalpel + straight edge. Two or three heavy scores & snap over the edge of a bench.
Most supplier I know will do ‘cut to size’ as a free service anyway.
Dave
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Im getting it off Robert Horne, I thought a saw with a special blade would be needed to cut this, its the skybond .20 skin 3mm.
BC -
Should be even easier to cut then, pretty sure that’s the lite version which has a thinner skin.
If you have to cut a lot on a regular basis then yes a saw would be a good investment but as the others have said you can cut it with a stanley knife and straight edge, doesn’t leave as good an edge IMO and the edges will need to be cleaned up with a file/sanding block.
A far as saws go you need something that will cut laminates, something with a negative rake blade is best and will also cut most other plastics and laminates cleanly to.
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I wouldn’t attempt to cut composite with a scalpel! Or a stanley knive for that matter but definitely not a scalpel. If you have no circular saw then a jigsaw is the next best thing, quick going over with a sureform afterwards to sort the edge and you’re away.
G
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I use my keencut to chop composite up. Works a treat. It really is a doddle to cut, so a circular saw with a regular blade will make light work of it. Heck, even a handsaw cuts it no problem!
Try Amari. Their Amaribond is as good as any & they offer a cutting service too.
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gwaredd, whats a keencut? i tried the stanley and it worked, took a couple of heavy scores but it did the trick, thanks guys.
BC -
Access Plastics in Ashbourne cut for free I think Brian
http://www.accessplastics.ie/This is a keencut
http://www.keencut.com/uk/products/vert … ltrak.aspxI have the older version, picked it up secondhand for peanuts…great bit of kit.
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Thanks Harry, will bear that in mind.
BC -
I find it better to cut the opposite side to the face you want to apply the graphics too. Leaves a cleaner edge on the front face when you snap it.
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quote Gavin MacMillan:I wouldn’t attempt to cut composite with a scalpel! Or a stanley knive for that matter but definitely not a scalpel. If you have no circular saw then a jigsaw is the next best thing, quick going over with a sureform afterwards to sort the edge and you’re away.
G
Why not? I’ve been using a scalpel / stanley for years to snap cut composite. Leaves a perfectly straight edge, no need for surforms or the like.
Why create extra work for yourself – time=money.
Jigsaw for complex shapes & curves and file (or deburring tool) to quickly de-burr.
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buy a second hand guillotine, manual foot operated or the like… you will NOT look back. you will pick a big one up for £2-3grand, cuts upto 6mm mild steel… 3m wide. plus, ship/ install… pay around £1800 for keencuts and the like and cut correx and foamex, struggle with composite in comparison… we have both… guillotine far outweighs anything i know on time or finish.
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Not really any reason not to cut with a stanley knife, I just don’t like the idea. I think cutting composite with a scalpel is dangerous though, too easy to snap the blades and they can ping in all directions.
A jigsaw would be my choice if I had no circular saw but I have in the past cut composite with a standard wood saw and even that does the job. Really though, a good saw is a standard bit of kit for signmaking I would say. I’d love a guillotine like Rob is describing, unfortunately we just don’t have the space.
G
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For cutting I have the fixed (non-retractable) Stanley knife, the type carpet fitters use. Its a larger handle and allows for a more precise cut when following a straight edge (1.8m plasterers edge from builders merchant). For shapes I use a jigsaw with a fine metal blade for minimal de-burring after wards. For small stuff I do have a 3 foot guillotine which is worth its weight in gold (£100 off fleabay)
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what kind of guillotine would we be looking for? mainly for cutting composite and rigid pvc?
Ta
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My 2 suppliers offer a cutting service for free. You have to buy the sheet, but they will send the off cuts to you as well.
Perspex and Vulcascot.I then try to add the cost of the sheet into the pricing of the job and then you’re left with the off cuts for "free" which we use up by selling it at reduced prices for the sizes we have left over.
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