Titainium cutting

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unky_gumbi

Joined
Aug 28, 2009
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I am guessing that water jet is the best way to cut ti, but for the little guy like myself the $100 minimum is just a bit much for 6 small pieces:( Just how hard it it to cut .06 ti sheet with basic hand tools? Would I be able to do it with my little fret saw with a #1 or 3 metal cutting blade? I know I wont be able to get in to cut the liner lock with a band saw or hack saw.
 
It is similar in difficulty to semi hard steel or stainless steel. Not a big deal with the right tools.
 
I cut it on a regular metal cutting band saw up to 1/8" thick.
Stan
 
unky_gumbi said:
I am guessing that water jet is the best way to cut ti, but for the little guy like myself the $100 minimum is just a bit much for 6 small pieces:( Just how hard it it to cut .06 ti sheet with basic hand tools? Would I be able to do it with my little fret saw with a #1 or 3 metal cutting blade? I know I wont be able to get in to cut the liner lock with a band saw or hack saw.
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Shoot me a PM when you have a chance.

H2Oknife
 
You can easily cut .060 ti with a shear...try your local Metal supermarket, or some such place and talk a bit...they will cut it into folder sized pieces for a couplel of bucks or less.

If you haven't bought it yet, Halpern will cut it into those rectangle too.

It bandsaws, hacksaws and grinds easily.
 
I have no problem using tin snips on thinner stuff like .03. For thicker stuff, the HF portaband goes right through it just like steel. I guess you might want to slow the portaband just a little for it.
 
I use a jeweler's saw for non-rectangular work in pretty much any sheet metal. If you buy the right blades and spend a bit of time practicing, you can leave cuts that are ready for final finish. I'm partial to Herkules brand, but I see there's a new (to me) offering designed for hard alloys and stainless. There are also diamond blades available.

Buy a good 4" saw frame if you only buy one. I recommend a 2" and a 4", and get a few dozen blades. They break a lot. :)


Doc
 
Friction cutting will cut like a laser. Just don't stop to quickly or you can work harden the area where you stopped. It works great for cutting out coupons.
 
The big problem I could see with cutting my liners is in the liner lock area. Its an area the needs to be fairly exact for the lock to work properly and then there is getting in to make the right angle cut in my design. I think I have a solution all worked out now.
 
I cut some 1/4" into 1.25" squares on the DeWalt portaband and it took forever, like 10 minutes each square. I did have the saw on super slow speed, though.

I think it's tougher to grind than annealed 1095 and O-1, and gets hot real quick. Every pass the ti went into the bucket of water because it was getting to hot to hold with my fingers. I still need to drill and file out the tang slot...that should be fun. lol
 
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