P3D Re: Twin SLR

[Vincent Chan <v7chan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>From: Peter Davis <pd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>Is this the L-shaped stuff?  What sorts of tools can you use for cutting, 
>grinding and drilling this stuff?  I want to make a bracket, but I don't 
>know how to cut it to length, round the sharp corners, and drill holes for 
>the screws.  I've done these with wood, but I don't know about aluminum.
>

Hi Peter,
	Actually, you can work with aluminum with many of the same tools as wood,
it will just take you longer.

Cutting - can be done with any hack saw.  Just make sure the aluminum bar
is well clamped.  If you have a band saw, use a fine toothed blade.

Drilling - use your standard drill bit set.  Centre punch the hole location
with a punch, or a nail first.  Then start drilling, first with a small
drill bit, and working your way up to the size you want.  If you have a
drill press, all the better.

Rounding corners - any power sander will let you put on really nice radius.
 A bench mounted sander will do an even better job.  If you just want to
break a sharp corner, a standard file works well, or sanding block, in a
pinch.

Just go slow, so you don't burn out any of your wood working power tools.
Remember to clean you tools before you cut wood again, as the little bits
of aluminum will get imbedded.

Hope this helps.

Vincent.