grinding aluminum

[wrenchdaddy]

I need to trim some aluminum tubing down on the inside of an tube. I tried an air die grinder and a rotary bit but it just wore the bit down and didn't take much material off at all. Is there something I could use on an electric grinder or some other way to bore out the inside of the tubing. I need to take off about an 8th of an inch. Thanks guys sorry this is for a boat project though,

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

I need to trim some aluminum tubing down on the inside of an tube. I tried an air die grinder and a rotary bit but it just wore the bit down and didn't take much material off at all. Is there something I could use on an electric grinder or some other way to bore out the inside of the tubing. I need to take off about an 8th of an inch. Thanks guys sorry this is for a boat project though,
I use carbide bits. They will kick aluminums a$$ really fast!! Be careful though, it will eat it up fast. I also use a bar of soap to clean the bit. The bits fit in a regual die grinder.
396

[victorfb]

aluminum likes to be cut more than grinded. a rotozip (rotary cutting blade) on a dremel works pretty good, but its hard to control as it catches. sanding is the next easiest and much easier to control but is slower. start with a 80 or 100 grit drum sander or if you have some porting style drums and an air die grinder that works well too.

[steve d]

Know anybody with a lathe and a boring bar?

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Know anybody with a lathe and a boring bar?
That is the "proper" way to do it!

[victorfb]

That is the "proper" way to do it!
agreed.....

[shirkey4750]

Swagelok makes a special tool to trim stainless tubing, it is a manual trimmer and works well. It has two sides, one for inside and the other for trimming the outside.

[wrenchdaddy]

What do I use the carbide bits with? the die grinder I used didn;t seem to have much power. Could i use a drill? What about the grinding stones for drills, I saw them at Lowes, would that work?

[El Prosecutor]

Oops, wrong thread. I thought you guys were talking about my impeller again. :cry:

[Taylorman]

Tell us what exactly are you doing. Are you trying to take the burrs off of some aluminum tubing you cut? If so, i use a tapered stone that fits on my drill to deburr the inside of stainless tubing before i flare it. Works good.