How do u rough cut metals and plastics?

[noobCNC]

So far I've been either using a manual saw (the manual labor here is definately a no go) or using my expensive TiAlN coated roughing end mill to rough cut pieces of aluminum alloy or plastic.

I think its time to invest in something for rough cutting pieces.

How do you guys do this?

Band saw? Mitre saw? Table saw? Maybe even handheld stuff? I have a dremel, and it sucks. Any suggestion?

Particularly, being able to cut 1-2" thick aluminum flats/plates and 3-4" thick plastic (e.g. UHMWPE).

[S3MIH3MI]

4" Bandsaw Does horz. and vert. Around the $200 range. Rated for 4" but can be slide back farther. I can cut a 5" X 1/2" plate no problem.

Metal Bandsaw - Horizontal/Vertical Metal Bandsaw

[djr76]

typically plastics are cut on table saws out of a sheet with blades made specifically for plastics, I even used mitre saws for lengths of plastic but mainly use a bandsaw, and jig saws for rough cutting shapes in acrylic. You can have them laser cut or even water jet cut out of sheets as well.

[jharvey407]

So far I've been either using a manual saw (the manual labor here is definately a no go) or using my expensive TiAlN coated roughing end mill to rough cut pieces of aluminum alloy or plastic.

I think its time to invest in something for rough cutting pieces.

How do you guys do this?

Band saw? Mitre saw? Table saw? Maybe even handheld stuff? I have a dremel, and it sucks. Any suggestion?

Particularly, being able to cut 1-2" thick aluminum flats/plates and 3-4" thick plastic (e.g. UHMWPE).

I have been cutting a lot of aluminum and plastic with my CNC router using the 0-flute bits from Amana. They are designed for plastic and aluminum and work great.

I also cut aluminum with my chop saw, jig saw and circular saw.

Here is shot of a 1/4" plate of 6061 I cut with my router. Router at 27500 rpm, doc .0625, feed rate 50 ipm.

[noobCNC]

Thanks for the input.

I guess what I need is eventually a bunch of different tools as everyone with a home workshop can attest to after stocking up over the years.

With a CNCed router, the toolbit cutting depth limits the depth of cuts so a thick part needs to be flipped over. The mitre saws are dangerous especially when cutting thick metals cause it can get throw out and mitre saws dont normally have good clamp solutions available unless you fabricate one yourself. Band saws I guess is probably most versatile.