Cutting aluninum intakes

[gregaba]

Now that I have water again after the last artic blast [thank you global warming] I am ready to work on my intake.
I ordered the Trick Flow Track Heat 111 to use with jayb's adapter. I need to cut out the valley cover in the TF.
What are you guys using?
Any advice is welcome.
Greg

[fekbmax]

I use a table saw with a fence to cut the centers out of the cleavland style intakes to fit the FE Power or PSE adapters. Does a nice clean job and a nice straight line.

[gregaba]

Thanks for the reply.
What type of blade do you use on your table saw?
Do you ever get any kick back?
How close to the bottom of the runners do you cut?
Don't want to mess up a new intake.
Greg

[fekbmax]

I just use a dull combination blade, no troubles with kickback. Just be sure that once you start the cut that you keep going til the cut is through.  Dont stop and start. Deff want to leave enough for a good seal on the adapter but not so much that theres any interference. 

[Joey120373]

Might also help to hit the blade and intake with some WD-40 or similar, helps keep the aluminum form sticking and clogging up the teeth on the blade.

[Falcon67]

Might also help to hit the blade and intake with some WD-40 or similar, helps keep the aluminum form sticking and clogging up the teeth on the blade.

Quoted for truth - can also squirt with trans fluid as a cutting oil.

[gregaba]

Thanks guys for the advice.
 I ordered a table saw blade for thick aluminum, may be overkill but since this is my first time at doing this with 3/4 inch I just wanted to be safe.
Will use ATF as I have several cases of it in the shop.
Greg

[Heo]

Alcohol works good on alu as cutting lube

[gregaba]

Good ideal.
Greg

[mike7570]

I cut some front engine mounts for my super-gas car out of 7075 aluminum using a circular saw
Tungsten Carbide tipped blade cut it like butter. It was a bit loud and hot chips go flying, use hearing & eye protection LOL.   

[gregaba]

Man
You are braver then me.
I have gone online and read all I could on it and I take head of all warning's.
Thanks
Greg

[70tp]

Carbide tipped blade cuts aluminum really really well,  lube blade, wear safety glasses, face shield, and ear plugs and gloves and long sleeves.     Won't take but a minute.    Grinder Flap wheel with wax lube for edges.   Thin die grinder cut off wheels cut ok also-- haven't tried them with wax lube yet

[Falcon67]

I use my 10" Craftsman band saw with a bi-metal blade to cut pieces of aluminum.  Works good.  Not for something like an intake, but I managed the motor plates for the dragster on it.  Good trick LOL.  Side Note - if you need to rip something like corrugated steel or steel roofing panels, an old saw blade mounted backward on a circular saw (back of teeth doing the cutting) works great.  Wear ear protection, makes one hell of a racket.

[Joe-JDC]

When I cut those Cleveland intakes for Jay's adapters, I use a 1/2" x 14 tooth metal cutting blade on my bandsaw.  The coarse teeth actually cut better than an 18 or 22 tooth count.  I cut T-6 1/2" plate with the 14 tooth count.  Use a coolant or allow a short time to cool down.  Joe-JDC

[gregaba]

I called a company we used to buy our blades from when we had our manufacturing company and asked what blade to use.
They recommended their Amana 510601. It is carbine with 60 teeth and a -.06 degree angle.
It is rated for up to 5 inch thick cast.
I read the reviews and one company said they had cut over 4500 pieces of aluminum and were still using the blade.
They sent it to me with free 2 day air. Still won't get it till Monday.
If I don't like the trick flow intake I wanted to have a blade I could use again if I needed to.
I cut all the metal for my shop using the reversed blade in my circular saw over 120 pieces.
Really made my neighbors happy.
Joe_JDC I am going to buy a band saw soon and will use the same blade you use since it works from your experence. Just havn't bought one yet due to little shop space left. I will have to finish one of the car's in the shop before I can buy one.
Greg