[Shop-talk] making a slot in aluminum plate

[Eric J Russell]

Aluminum can be cut with woodworking tools.

Do you have a table saw? Clamp the aluminum to a table saw and raise the 
blade up to cut the slot. A carbide blade makes a kerf ~ 1/8" wide but it'd 
have sharp ends that'd be undercut. A little filing on the ends could take 
care of that.

Do you have a biscuit joiner? Clamp a guide to the aluminum panel to keep 
the slot straight and plunge the biscuit joiner's blade to make the slot.

Do you have a router? Use a carbide bit to mill out the slot. Use a straight 
edge to guide the router base.

Eric Russell
Mebane, NC
http://home.mebtel.net/~ejrussell
----- Original Message ----- 

> I need to find a way to make a nice clean slot in 3/16" aluminum
> plate...approx 1/8" wide and 2 to 3" long.