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DecoWood® offers the beauty of timber with the strength and durability of aluminium. But for those not familiar with aluminium, you may ask “but how do I cut it?”
Most DecoWood® products and profiles come in 6.5 metre lengths, but they are suitable for a wide range of projects, both large and small. Our long DecoWood® lengths give you the flexibility to cut your products to the required size, either onsite or before you arrive, ensuring you can make the most economical cuts for your project and get the most out of every length.
For those with no experience in cutting aluminium, it really is just as simple as cutting regular timber. Just follow these simple steps to achieve the perfect cuts for your project.
Work out which type of cut you need to make. These could include:
For cross cuts, use a drop or mitre saw. For complex cuts, use a jigsaw. For rip cuts, use a table saw.
The most important part of cutting aluminium DecoWood® is using the right blade. Use a high-quality, non-ferrous or soft metal aluminium cutting blade with a carbide tip. The more teeth your blade has, the finer the cut will be.
Both aluminium blades and jigsaw blades are available from all leading hardware suppliers such as Bunnings and Mitre 10, as well as local hardware suppliers. Make sure your blade is sharp and clean before each use.
Using a measuring tape, measure out the length of DecoWood® you want and mark your cut lines on the inside edge.
TIP: mark the lines a little further out than you intend to cut the DecoWood®, to factor in the curving of the saw. We advise you to measure twice for maximum accuracy when cutting. For wide profiles we recommend marking multiple points along the desired cut line to square the cut and ensure you get a straight line.
Make sure you’re using the correct RMP/Strokes per min for your blade. The specs for your blade can usually be found in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Adjust the bevel angle of your saw to change the angle. 0 degrees will achieve a straight up-and-down cut. Some mitre saws can cut up to 45-degree angles.
Hold the DecoWood® against the backing fence of the drop saw, positioning it so the blade is aligned with the measuring line you made. Using a clamp can help. This prevents your piece of DecoWood® moving, kicking back or binding up the blade.
To avoid injury on the job, you should always wear:
We highly recommend wearing extra protection for the rest of your body, as aluminium shavings and swarf can easily become embedded in the skin.
Ensure the DecoWood® is still secured. Press the safety button to depress the trigger, then slowly lower the blade down through the aluminium in one motion. When you’re finished, raise the blade again and release the trigger.
If you’re making long cuts, it is a good idea to lubricate your blade as needed.
