Ive got to make a backplate for my throttle bodies and many other ali brackets etc for the build.

I normally use a jigsaw but find the blades clog up.

What do other people use ? I have access to an air nibbler at work and i also have angle grinder, hacksaw etc at home.

Just wondered what the preferred tool is or are special jigsaw blades if available ??

Cheers

Have you tried a woodworking coping saw with plenty of cutting fluid?. Worked OK when I made my manifold out of 12mm ally plate

Air nibbler works well but takes skill to get a clean line. If using jig saw brush some parafin along the line to be cut will stop the swarf sticking

Jigsaw blades clog up, are you spraying wd40 on the work as you go ?



I cut 5mm chequer plate with my scabby old Bosch jiggy and it managed ok, bit slow but worked ok.

A jigsaw will be fine for cutting 2mm aluminium but use a coarse blade and make sure you clamp the aluminium tightly down.

I found I could get very nice cuts with an air nibbler by clamping a steel rule to the ali sheet 4.5mm (for my air nibbler) from where I want the cut to be and running the edge of the nibbler against it. Obviously this only works for straight lines but you could cut out a pattern in thin hardboard or something similar for more complicated shapes.

Cheers for the replys - it seems i have everything i need then, just a bit of WD40 or paraffin added should do the trick.

I will try the nibbler along a straight edge trick one lunchtime at work too

I find the easiest way is to sketch the part on the CAD system and send the file to andyw7de for him to cut on his waterjet.......

Now thats a plan

You can borrow my drill powered nibbler if you want?

OOh, cheers rich, may take you up on that, i have a bench clamp to fit a hand drill into.

Im in the depths of the garage finding more things i didnt know i had today
Plus that means another trip to the dump, how is it that no matter how many portable tv's i throw out, i still find more in the garage ????? ive found 2 today !