Cutting titanium sheet

M

mikeal

Joined
May 24, 2006
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I am going to attempt a low rider clip for my lahar. I have a piece of .04" ti sheet (6al-6v-2sn if it matters) and have access to a couple of bandsaws. We use one for aluminum and another for steel. Is there anything I should watch out for?

Thanks,
Mike
 
If you have access to a power shear, that works really well.

The only thing i can think of is Lube, and the 3 teeth in the material thickness rule...kinda hard to do on .040 thickness.

oh - being a smart ass - watchout for your fingers
 
I have no experience with the phenomenon but someone mentioned something about aluminum dust not doing well with steel sparks - and titanium sparks are hotter yet.

At least make sure the equipment is very clean before and after. Maybe someone more knowledgable can chip in on this one.

Rob!
 
when i saw Ti i like to have the blade a few tpi larger so it kind of acts like a nibbler on the sheet
with all working of Ti keep it cool or it gets gummy and grabby thats what gets you into trouble
Ti filings do burn hot real hot dont let them build up in piles
 
I've used an 18 or more tpi bi metal blade on my 14" bandsaw for years. Manage to get between 2 and 3 years use out of each blade cutting the same thickness ti. No lube, no babying of any kind really other than keeping the guide close, making sure the small pieces you cut off are not blocking the path by getting stuck in the center plate and also my only serious recommendation would be if you use the saw for cutting wood be sure all the dry saw dust is out of the thing before sawing titanium of anykind with it or you're likely to start it burning.

Ti sparks to high heavens and it can sting if those fly on bare skin too so cover up your face, your hands and wear protection. If you use a vacuum make sure its free of flamables before proceeding also. It may not ignite but it can sure smoke. Been there done that on both issues for fires in the bottom of the saw, and smoke in the wet dry vac. Contrary to how a lot of guys cut the thinner titanium I cut it fast speed with the saw just like I cut aluminum fast. Seems to zip through better to me that way and grab less. Slow on the thinner sheets really wasn't comfortable. Stan Fujisaka told me that once and sure enough he was right. He uses a 14 tpi blade by the way. I always cut those two metals fast now and only slow it down for thick stock steel. I cut my titanium for all my folders up to .160 thickness and for the thousands of .040 and .050 low rider and standard style pocket clips I've made since starting them with a regular wood cutting Delta/Rockwell bandsaw. (same saw Stan uses actually) Oh yeah, you may want to create you some kind of a push stick also. It helps a lot.


STR
 
I have only cut a little Ti but I did cut some that was about 1/16" and I just turned my bandsaw blade upside down and it cut no prob.
 
I stripped a few bandsaw blades trying to cut Ti. I was in machine tool class and one of the instructors came up and told me about friction cutting. Turn up the speed as fast as it goes and let it cut via friction. It zipped through some .04 6AL4V like butter. Lust use an old blade and save it for this purpose. Works great on SS and Mild sheet under .5 thick
 
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