Aluminum Moulding -Hate it or hate it?

QuinnFarley

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Joined
Nov 27, 2024
Posts
15
Loc
Sandy, Utah
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Professional Framer
The shop I work at has easy to use and reliable wood moulding cutting and joining equipment. Wood frames, no problem! For aluminum, we have a basic DeWalt chop saw and with a metal blade (but with no inch measurement tick guides or clamps to keep aluminum still when cutting). That's led to countless headaches on my part going back years. Personally, I hate all things aluminum because of that. I cringe at any aluminum orders and steer customers away from metal whenever I can. Is this just me or do some of you also hate aluminum? If not, what metal moulding cutting system works for you? I'm desperate! We're getting an order from the local university soon for 25 30x40 aluminums!
 
I don't sell metal frames a whole lot. I have my own dislike for them.

When I sell them, I order chop. No headaches. For an order you mention, I would order chop and not deal with the problem of a cutting system that is less than professional.
You can change the blades in whatever you use to cut the wood moulding if your shop insists on cutting your own.
 
We do the chops, too. There are so few metal frames left that we no longer display them on the regular walls. They are hidden, but available if someone comes in to match an old one. (if not discontinued)

Metal is no longer the entry level choice. We can get folks into a decent wood moulding for a lot less, if they are a bargain hunter :)
 
Your distributor should offer "length price" on a chop order that size. That's a 300'+ order.
 
I’m using a reliable old DeWalt with a clamp that works perfectly, and I built an outrun measuring guide with a taped-on scale. Also designed a production stop. I can cut up to 48 inches. Aluminum is great: always defect-free, no dust, no glueing, easy offcut storage, lengths are always 10 feet. Fitting seems to be easier, too.

Years ago I bought a pile of discontinued stuff for 30 cents/foot, and it stores easily, doesn’t deteriorate, and when I can use it, it works.
 
We sell some sectional aluminum moulding based on chop pricing.
However, we draw the line at doing anything involving Spacers.
Out fitters do not deserve the headache.
In cases like that we upsell the client to a closed cornered welded aluminum frame.
Hi, Todd. Welcome, to the Grumble! :)
 
Your distributor should offer "length price" on a chop order that size. That's a 300'+ order.
This is definitely worth asking about.

Also, if fit with acrylic (I hope), see a plastic supplier for a good price and ask them about cutting to size. You can't beat their $100,000 plastic cutting machines.

Aluminum is great: always defect-free, no dust, no glueing, easy offcut storage, lengths are always 10 feet. Fitting seems to be easier, too.
I would be a happy guy making all my frames with metal. Once you're in the grove it's easy as Saskatoon Berry Pie. 🇨🇦
 
What kind of wood saw set up do you have?

Can you mount the metal blade onto the wood saw?

25 large frames is worth some set up time.
We have a Prisma Maxi machine by the Italian company, Brevetti. It's good with twin 2-phase motors. I guess it's an easier upsell to the shop owner to ask for two new metal blades rather than an upgrade to a dedicated aluminum chop saw situation. Won't hurt to ask. Thanks.
 
I hate everything about it! I just finished 8. I hide the samples in the back under a table but once in a while someone really wants them.
 
I have the same model Brevetti and it certainly can cut aluminum with the right blade, but keep in mind that on a job of that scale you will need to be lubricating the blades manually (unless you add a system for that) and you will need to clean the saw of the lubricant when you switch back to wood or you will get all kinds of build up on the inside of the cabinet and dust extraction hoses. Then there's all the aluminum chips to deal with.

One more thing. For years there have been scammers, mostly Nigerian, that order 25 30" X 40" "Shiny Gold" metal frames that they pay for with stolen Credit Card numbers and the framer ends up losing because they ship the frames before the card is scrutinized, and they get charged back. The business is done through a series of emails. Some of the other posters to this thread can confirm that.
 
It's definitely going to be easier to convince the owner to get two metal blades than a whole new set up. If you don't have a lubricate spray system on the saw and don't think you will be cutting just a whole bunch of metal in the future, you can just use a spray bottle of lube or a spray can of silicone. You will have to spray the blades fairly often, but it cuts down on the residue.
 
Some of the more recently-introduced profiles, colors, and finishes are much more interesting and less dated than the "traditional" metal mouldings. Although they are definitely not the "low priced alternative" that metals used to be, they provide some good design alternatives. I have always ordered metals as chops, because cutting them is messy and noisy. Plus, the little aluminum flakes the saw produces are awfully close to the dreaded GLITTER.
:popc: Rick
 
We have 1 Pistorius double mitre saw for wood, and one for Aluminum.
The only difference is the blades.
Changing them about once a week would be a hassle.

Before we purchased the second Pistorius, we cut Aluminum on a table saw with a large mitre jig.
It works similar to how a Frame Square saw works.
The cuts are very accurate, but any rip out happens on the side of the frame, so we needed to file the edges.

We usually order chops for any painted finished aluminum, or small quantity orders, but we stock less expensive OEM Aluminum frames.
 
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