trimming aluminum

[Roddy Riggs]

I am in a dilema. I bought .040 aluminum from a truck repair center, mainly for the width but mostly for the cost. I put the top on my teardrop the other day and tried to use a flush bit in my router to smooth up the edge. I smoked the bit and the aluminum just melted and balled up underneath. I know what someone is going to say, use a variable spaed router or a speed control device. It didn't work, wouldn't cut fast enough to work. I managed to file down the edge but now, I need to apply the side aluminum and am wondering how to trim it flush with the top. Any suggestions? Would a roto zip tool work? HELP!!!

[Sonetpro]

I used a roto zip to trim mine. It eats up the bits pretty fast though.

[Geron]

FWIW, I used a pneumatic nibbler. Worked like a charm. Bought it at HF because I figured it was a one time use tool. It lasted through the chubby build and is still working last time I tried it.




Think I got the pistol grip. Can't remember and too lazy to go down stairs and look

The Roto Zip would be the more useful tool in the future.


g

[madjack]

...we used an air shear from Harbor Freight...worked like a champ.........................

[JNSDAVIS]

They got to it before i could... Havn't worked with much aluminum.. But i use to use those type air snippers or a fine disk die grinder on sheet metal.. Best of luck to ya

[halfdome, Danny]

I used .040 truck roof aluminum too. You'll need to pre cut your sheets to 1/4" over sized on all sides and use a 1/2" flush trim router bit on the slowest possible speed you can get. A 1/2" bit in my thoughts goes half the revolutions as a 1/4" bit and it worked quite nicely for me. You could also just cut your sheets a little undersized, with the tools shown above my post, and let the trim cover up the gaps, some think it will help in aluminum expansion in the summer sun. Danny

[len19070]

If you have Air...I used one of these.



A very handy tool for lots of other things as well. $20 at HF.

I did the roof first, then laid a thin piece of plastic sign across the top (so it wouldn't scratch) as a guide for the sides. Lots of control.

Happy Trails

Len

[kerryd]

I use a 3/8 flush trim router bit and go wide open . The second it starts to cut bad stop and look to see if the bit is loading up . If so , pick it off and spray WD40 on it . If you have problems with the way it's cutting go the opposite direction . Kerry

[asianflava]

I used one of these electric shears from Harbor Freight.

[Jiminsav]

I used the 1/2 inch laminate trim bit and like someone said, it only likes to go one way, and when it loads up, scrap it clean and continue to march.
getting it close to the final cut with those nibblers will also make it go better.

[Geron]

Now guys, there's numerous ways to trim Al sheeting. However, last time I did it we had just moved into a newly constructed abode. Having displaced numerous critters from their natural habitat, we had several families of field mice, rats, etc. living along side and among us. Late one evening I was searching for sustenance from the frig. Discovering a chuck of moldy cheese, I had an Idea!!!!

Drawing a straight line of cheese along the edge I needed trimmed, we went to bed. The next morning wah laa! (whatever that means) Trimmed beautifully. We didn't sleep much that night due to the gnawing.

So glad I could Help.

Grace and Peace (of cheese)

g

[angib]

The next morning wah laa! (whatever that means)

"Voilà" - French* for "there", as in "there you are".

Presumably imported with returning servicemen after WWII?

Andrew
(smart-ass to the stars)

* That should cut down the number of people here using that expression..... Or was it French cheese you used on the mice?

[Geron]

The next morning wah laa! (whatever that means)

"Voilà" - French* for "there", as in "there you are".

Presumably imported with returning servicemen after WWII?

Andrew
(smart-ass to the stars)

* That should cut down the number of people here using that expression..... Or was it French cheese you used on the mice?

Of course!