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This is going to be a bitch to put together. But milestone coming up… metal-work. Need to cut that aluminum tubing into pieces with either a hacksaw or a dremel.
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Soft test assembly of the draft build. With construction paper tubes where the aluminum will go. Don’t want to cut metal and then discover a major error. This looks ok I think.
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First metal… cut 100mm strut.is there any use for aluminum filings? Saving it anyway. 9 more to go. Aluminum is much softer than mild steel, but hacksawing it is still a bit of a workout. Needs some filing
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Ok that was really quick. 5 minutes for 3 cuts. Takes some control though. The cutting disc wanders easily. And aluminum stock does get hot.
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25,000 rpm, strobing with whatever fps iPhone is at. Bad idea to try take a video of dremel cutting. Probably dangerous too, though I had eye protection and mask and it was on balcony. One hand not steady enough to guide. Will need assistant or phone holder to document metalwork.
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Wow this cutting wheel really got ground down after just 3 cuts in 1/2” hollow square section tubes, 1/8” wall. Am I doing something wrong? I thought I was using pretty light pressure. It’s lost like 4mm off the radius. Or is this just quickly consumed?
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Replying to
Always use a heavier cutoff wheel than you need. I'd recommend putting a thin CO wheel on an el cheapo Harborfreight grinder. I use Klingspor CW00240. they cut steel like butter
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Replying to
Don't bother with thick, cheap cutoff wheels, they will just chew up the metal while you inhale the wheel degrading. The Klingspor CW00240's last for ages. Just use Dremel for trimming and cleaning up.
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