Tools and Tool Buying

[Weelis]

Am building a xcut sled and need miter bars almost 48 inches long.  Prefer Aluminum as it is easier to drill than steel.  Anyone know where I can get them that long?  Thanks.

[Allan Johanson]

In my neck of the woods there is a store you can buy metal from called "Metal Supermarkets".  It's part of a large chain.  Check and see if there is one by you.  They carry all kinds of steel/aluminum/brass sheet, tubing, rod.  No minimum order.

http://www.metalsupermarkets.com/

That said, steel is easy to drill as long as it isn't hardened.  Use a slow speed on your drill press, a good drill bit and use a lubricant.  Even WD40 can be used as a lubricant.  I toss a piece of scrap plywood on my drill press when drilling metal so I don't contaminate nice pieces of wood afterwards.

Cheers,

[mathisonr1]

Ditto on Allen, in Minneapolis there is also Discount Steel and Aluminum

Rick

[grandpabear]

   lee valley has a method of using aluminum t-track as miter bars in their catalog.

[Allan Johanson]

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grandpabear wrote:

   lee valley has a method of using aluminum t-track as miter bars in their catalog.

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Item "A" on this link:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=61986&cat=1,43455,61994

(Note that the currency might be Canadian.  You can change this to US.)

Cheers,

[grandpabear]

   thanks, i looked it up today to add to my post.

    the most dangerous tool is the one you are using

[georgenoeth1]

I am curious what a sled would look like that used a 4 foot miter bar, do you have a picture?

[ronaldseto]

I personally wouldn't use aluminum. It is too soft, bends too easily and will pick up dirt and grit which will cause it to bind in the slot. Steel is best. It's not difficult to drill as long as you use a high speed steel bit or better. You can get steel or aluminum bar stock from McMaster -Carr on line.