If I had to cut many aluminum poles on my property I would probably use a 4-1/2in circular saw. It's as compact as the grinder and can easily be fit with a metal/aluminum specific blade. The pole will probably be thicker than the 1-1/8 which gives the option of making two passes, doing a circular pass, or doing one pass then benting the pole down. The last option might be the best, as it is fastest and maximizes the force of the ground impact at the end of the pole.
If noise is more of a concern than speed, I would highly recommend looking into Aluminum Tubing cutters. They're basically a little bladed wheel with a clamp on the other side that you lock onto the tube, and then spin around, slowly tightening the blade as it bites through the metal. It takes a little longer, like 3-8 minutes, but it's almost entirely silent, and the cutter fits easily in a jacket pocket!
When I'm trying to remove aluminum poles that I've installed on my own private property, I rely primarily on either a bandsaw, or an angle grinder as shown in the video. I actually find the band saw to be quicker, quieter, and more easily controlled. It also lasts longer on a single charge.
Safety and expertise are lacking. The grinder has the most torque, but a saw blade in a grinder is also the most dangerous. If it kicks or breaks while using it like a grinder, that's a trip to the ER. He also used the wrong blade on the reciprocating saw. That brand makes 6" carbides specifically for metal that'll chew right through 2" aluminum tubing. As for galling, use just about any lubricant. Or you can just get a tubing cutter and do it quietly... Source: former welder and machinist.
Generally, aluminum pools on your own property don't have an electrical wire running through them, the ones on my property have a solar panel on top and that's all the electricity they need.
Also when cutting down poles that you installed on your private property, be sure to protect your devices from damage and leave them securely inside your house.
I am glad to see more people learning how to use various tools to cut down aluminum poles on their own property. This has been said many times but bears repeating: rest the reciprocating saw guard against the pole and let the machine do the work for you. Buy blades designed to cut metal.
And remember, no mater what tool you use when removing an aluminum pole from your property, what's the NUMBER ONE rule? You don't tell anyone, and you ESPECIALLY don't take any pictures because it's your pole on your property which means it's nobody else's business. And what do we do if we see SOMEONE ELSE cutting down an aluminum pole? FUCKING NOTHING that's what. Because we just assume it's their pole on their property and so is none of our business.
Rule number two is of course to double tap. If there's anything on the end, spray it right in the aperture with structural expanding foam. I mean like, a hornet nest or something. Not anything electronic, or you wouldn't be able to reuse whatever it was that you put on your property.
I also always leave my cell phone in my house when cutting things down on my property as I simply don't need to tracj my location (even if I think it isn't
Remember to leave your phone at home or with a friend. They can access your phone's GPS history to see if it was you who cut down that pole on your property.
While the angle grinder is probably the best overall tool for the job, please use caution if you live in an arid area. It's going to throw a lot of sparks, and those sparks could start a fire if the pole is surrounded by dry grass. Also, wear ear AND eye protection. These tools are LOUD, and if that cutoff wheel shatters it's going to throw shards in all directions, including into your face.
when cutting down aluminum poles on your own property, its probably a good idea to outright wear full body protection especially full face and hand protection, you probably wouldnt want any of those sparks or any shards getting on your skin, much less if the blade snaps as you say
The reciprocating saw works just fine if you actually would use the support it comes with. If you just leave the pole in the middle of the blade it's not doing anything. Ram the device against the pole and it will tear through the pole.
Also pick the right blade for the material. A blade that says it's good with wood and metal and plastic will be mediocre with all three. The right blade and the right technique makes a huge difference
You can also just use a manual cablesaw type thing with an abrasive garrote wire substituted in for the blade, if you are making do on a budget. They cost less than $10 instead of buying a $175 angle grinder. It is a lot easier to carry, especially for older people and no batteries to fail you when the work actually needs to be done. I would only suggest carrying extra wire blades and some white grease or vaseline, mineral oil to lube up your appliance repair parts. There is always time for lube
This isn't likely to work on thicker material. Exhaust pipe has a thickness of 1/16" - 1.6mm - and there this works but it's also slow, albeit quiet. Thicker pipes like water pipes are probably at least 1/8", this would likely bring the cutting wheels to their limit.
Why is that so expensive? Not shilling for Home Depot or anything, but go to any hardware store you like using such as Tractor Supply and find a cablesaw setup for under $20 plus $5 mechanic's padded gloves. Wear a hoodie for the cold, a mask because of peak influenza season and pay with cash to avoid credit card fraud schemes common in Home Depot. There are police surveillance cameras installed in their parking lot, so leave your car at home to save on gasoline, do a favour for the environment.
For the saw you want to push the guard against what you're cutting otherwise you are fighting it on both the push and pull strokes.
Also if you are cutting multiple aluminium poles with anything that has teeth, there is special wax you apply to the blade to prevent it getting gunked up.
1, Rest the front of the guard on the pole. 2, hold the trigger until the blade reaches full speed. 3, continue holding the trigger as you steadily slide forward.
Side note: It might be better to set the depth to only ~90% so it won't fall on you and you can just push it over.
was wondering why he was trying to cut straight through instead of half and half, or working around the hollow aluminum pole, that he installed on his own private property
Also helps to prevent you from tilting the blade mid cut like he did, which can break the blade or just stress the motor and slow the cut substantially.
Use the metal blade, not a multipurpose one. The pipe wasn't well braced, all the buzzing in the soil is lost energy. If it's anchored in concrete, the sawzall will cut a lot faster. Also, it helps if you kink the pipe away from your blade as you cut, the binding up both heats and wears the blade, slows down the cut. Same as using a hack saw.
are there special circular saw blades for cutting aluminum poles on my own property? that circular saw looked like it was using a fairly standard wood cutting blade. hint: If you have a lot of aluminum poles on your property to cut down dewalt makes batteries as large as 12AH batteries that can probably slice through several dozen poles before needing to recharge.
There are, but a blade for aluminium is not the same as one for steel! Aluminium is kind of gunking up tools so the teeth are apparently different for it.
(There are saw blades specifically for metal - Those would last a lot longer than a blade meant for cutting wood - milwaukee makes some really good ones). I couldn't read the info on the blade used in the video but it looked like a standard construction rip saw blade for lumber - those would work but will probably not survive multiple cuts)
The reciprocating saw would fly through that aluminum with a couple squirts of wd40. It’s a great cutting fluid for aluminum, and helps keep blade from loading up.
It cleaned your door hinge, removing rust and particulate that was rubbing and making the squeaking for now. I give it maybe six months before it starts acting up again. However, if you pull the pins and grease that sucker up with actual lube (I personally adore tri-flow for household use cause it's easy, works great, and smells like bananas), you'll see that your previous ideas of "lubricated" were barely even slippery!
It should help any of them cut aluminum better, but especially the sawzall because of its smaller teeth. Warning: WD40 on a rotating blade will also mean WD40 sprayed on anything within 10ft thanks to centrifugal force.
Hey, I work in a laboratory, but I used to work in the dirt, and I know some dirt workers that are certifiable geniuses. Don't put yourself down for not knowing something.
MakeItBackAlright
Everyone chipping in here down here with tips and tricks, you're really bringing heat
MrImmaculate
For some reason this link feels relevant: https://deflock.org/
DrewtanggaurdiumLeviosa
This person does not know how to use power tools.
Donfolstar
If I had to cut many aluminum poles on my property I would probably use a 4-1/2in circular saw. It's as compact as the grinder and can easily be fit with a metal/aluminum specific blade. The pole will probably be thicker than the 1-1/8 which gives the option of making two passes, doing a circular pass, or doing one pass then benting the pole down. The last option might be the best, as it is fastest and maximizes the force of the ground impact at the end of the pole.
OmNachoMama
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1dDhoMzdwbWR6ZHprYTJiZ3lmdTYyYzQ2NDlyMHFneHp4cTV5b3VseCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/KXQDQaBZAdBsC9LVhf/200w.webp
JustBoone
Ye old trusty angle grinder ftw!
wabitgirl
If noise is more of a concern than speed, I would highly recommend looking into Aluminum Tubing cutters. They're basically a little bladed wheel with a clamp on the other side that you lock onto the tube, and then spin around, slowly tightening the blade as it bites through the metal. It takes a little longer, like 3-8 minutes, but it's almost entirely silent, and the cutter fits easily in a jacket pocket!
Euclid11010
When I'm trying to remove aluminum poles that I've installed on my own private property, I rely primarily on either a bandsaw, or an angle grinder as shown in the video. I actually find the band saw to be quicker, quieter, and more easily controlled. It also lasts longer on a single charge.
GlutenFreeCocaineWaffles
Safety and expertise are lacking. The grinder has the most torque, but a saw blade in a grinder is also the most dangerous. If it kicks or breaks while using it like a grinder, that's a trip to the ER. He also used the wrong blade on the reciprocating saw. That brand makes 6" carbides specifically for metal that'll chew right through 2" aluminum tubing. As for galling, use just about any lubricant. Or you can just get a tubing cutter and do it quietly... Source: former welder and machinist.
JustAnotherknarF
Love my angle grinder - good for so much work done on my own property
ellopoppett
Will you get electrocuted doing this asked someone else
ImAWeirdMom
Generally, aluminum pools on your own property don't have an electrical wire running through them, the ones on my property have a solar panel on top and that's all the electricity they need.
ImAWeirdMom
* Poles not pools
Nalianna
Depends on the temp of the blowtorch.
Swedishbouldering
Hint: Dynamite is the fastest way of removing AND disposing of those pesky aluminium poles that keep growing on your property.
rumandbass
Also when cutting down poles that you installed on your private property, be sure to protect your devices from damage and leave them securely inside your house.
newphonewhoodis
I am glad to see more people learning how to use various tools to cut down aluminum poles on their own property.
This has been said many times but bears repeating: rest the reciprocating saw guard against the pole and let the machine do the work for you.
Buy blades designed to cut metal.
ElectricGears
And remember, no mater what tool you use when removing an aluminum pole from your property, what's the NUMBER ONE rule? You don't tell anyone, and you ESPECIALLY don't take any pictures because it's your pole on your property which means it's nobody else's business.
And what do we do if we see SOMEONE ELSE cutting down an aluminum pole? FUCKING NOTHING that's what. Because we just assume it's their pole on their property and so is none of our business.
JBloodthorn
Rule number two is of course to double tap. If there's anything on the end, spray it right in the aperture with structural expanding foam.
I mean like, a hornet nest or something. Not anything electronic, or you wouldn't be able to reuse whatever it was that you put on your property.
JohnThatcher
I might keep an eye out for the popo. Nobody needs overly nosey cops on their property.
DunnowForgot
And if the cops show up asking you why you decided to cut down that aluminum pole? It's a great time to practice how to shut the f*ck up.
CatShadowleaf
When it's time to UnFlock, every day is Shut the Fuck Up Friday!
jackohill108888
I also always leave my cell phone in my house when cutting things down on my property as I simply don't need to tracj my location (even if I think it isn't
itxtalone
also, dont take anything attached to the pole home with you.
crablegscornonthecob
Also, wear gloves. After all, that metal you just cut is gonna be sharp. Safety first.
WhiteRhino723
Remember to leave your phone at home or with a friend. They can access your phone's GPS history to see if it was you who cut down that pole on your property.
halfabubbleoff
No matter which tool you see someone use, no you didn’t.
Casually
There is a universal, bipartisan hatred for Flock cameras and I am here for it.
YouRadicalizedMe
Cheers
CuntCrotchula
Flock cameras? This is for poles on your private property https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1ejNkeGdpc3lkajdoc3AzOGEyNjVod21pbzVleWE5aXk4cGZqeHIzMCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/6ra84Uso2hoir3YCgb/200w.webp
NinjaCongo
What are you talking about? Do you mean techniques for removing aluminum poles on your own property? https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1d2t5Mzc0NzM1NDkzY2RuNzl3aHZrNGxqdXJ4Z3hjeG1ybjR5ZDcwZSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/yow6i0Zmp7G24/200w.webp
jt42
Ohhhh, I didn't know this was about Flock. I thought this guy likes aluminum "stumps" in his yard --- like dude pull the whole thing out.
smittyatyou
What are you talking about? This is cutting aluminum poles on your property
FinancialRavioli
Place a few drops of gallium on the aluminum exposed by scratching the paint with the awl on your pocketknife.
anegativecreep
How do you plan on keeping the gallium in place long enough to absorb into the aluminum on a vertical surface?
FinancialRavioli
That's a good question. I have no idea the absorption rate or how much needs to get in there for the gallium to eat the aluminum.
Maybe put a Trump sticker on the pole to trap the gallium in place.
unluckyandbored
While the angle grinder is probably the best overall tool for the job, please use caution if you live in an arid area. It's going to throw a lot of sparks, and those sparks could start a fire if the pole is surrounded by dry grass. Also, wear ear AND eye protection. These tools are LOUD, and if that cutoff wheel shatters it's going to throw shards in all directions, including into your face.
jridley
Shouldn't throw sparks cutting aluminum. Steel, sure.
bottledham
Renza0
when cutting down aluminum poles on your own property, its probably a good idea to outright wear full body protection especially full face and hand protection, you probably wouldnt want any of those sparks or any shards getting on your skin, much less if the blade snaps as you say
L0rdinquisit0r
portable bandsaw
anegativecreep
Bulky but great tool
certainlynotaserialkiller
you need a bandsaw that can handle the diameter in one go. those are pretty big.
OurLordLucifer
Eh, they put em on 3” poles
temotodochi
The reciprocating saw works just fine if you actually would use the support it comes with. If you just leave the pole in the middle of the blade it's not doing anything. Ram the device against the pole and it will tear through the pole.
FrankJustice1
Also pick the right blade for the material. A blade that says it's good with wood and metal and plastic will be mediocre with all three. The right blade and the right technique makes a huge difference
vystral
Had to cut a cast iron drain pipe when I replaced my kitchen sink. My cheap Ryobi reciprocating saw + the correct blade cut through like butter.
MySushi
You can also just use a manual cablesaw type thing with an abrasive garrote wire substituted in for the blade, if you are making do on a budget. They cost less than $10 instead of buying a $175 angle grinder. It is a lot easier to carry, especially for older people and no batteries to fail you when the work actually needs to be done. I would only suggest carrying extra wire blades and some white grease or vaseline, mineral oil to lube up your appliance repair parts. There is always time for lube
n0n53n53
chain style exhaust cutter
https://ebay.io/m/vKEss7
TrumpRapesAndEatsChildren0002
This isn't likely to work on thicker material. Exhaust pipe has a thickness of 1/16" - 1.6mm - and there this works but it's also slow, albeit quiet. Thicker pipes like water pipes are probably at least 1/8", this would likely bring the cutting wheels to their limit.
MySushi
Why is that so expensive? Not shilling for Home Depot or anything, but go to any hardware store you like using such as Tractor Supply and find a cablesaw setup for under $20 plus $5 mechanic's padded gloves. Wear a hoodie for the cold, a mask because of peak influenza season and pay with cash to avoid credit card fraud schemes common in Home Depot. There are police surveillance cameras installed in their parking lot, so leave your car at home to save on gasoline, do a favour for the environment.
ukvuvuyvkucvkjh
These are the young people I'm glad to see coming along as I get older.
greenytali
For the saw you want to push the guard against what you're cutting otherwise you are fighting it on both the push and pull strokes.
Also if you are cutting multiple aluminium poles with anything that has teeth, there is special wax you apply to the blade to prevent it getting gunked up.
jonathan6776
IMO a tubing cutter would be the best for stealth. Maybe not the fastest, but you wouldn’t have to worry about teeth gumming up or going dull.
Lonewolfing
But... that's why they make metal blades. He looked like he was using a wood or multi purpose blade with that many teeth on the sawzall
greenytali
Yeah the package he used has general use written on so not optional
battery1979
Optimal.
jomi20806
Optimus…prime
WoeToHice
... that you installed on your own private property *wink* ...
CuntCrotchula
Came here to say this. Also saves your entire arm from like going numb
NeoAcario
1, Rest the front of the guard on the pole. 2, hold the trigger until the blade reaches full speed. 3, continue holding the trigger as you steadily slide forward.
Side note: It might be better to set the depth to only ~90% so it won't fall on you and you can just push it over.
Renza0
was wondering why he was trying to cut straight through instead of half and half, or working around the hollow aluminum pole, that he installed on his own private property
fubizdaddie
Also helps to prevent you from tilting the blade mid cut like he did, which can break the blade or just stress the motor and slow the cut substantially.
DerFoxeh
Use the metal blade, not a multipurpose one. The pipe wasn't well braced, all the buzzing in the soil is lost energy. If it's anchored in concrete, the sawzall will cut a lot faster.
Also, it helps if you kink the pipe away from your blade as you cut, the binding up both heats and wears the blade, slows down the cut. Same as using a hack saw.
OmegaYeti
Also you dont have to cut all the way through, get about 3/4 cut and then push it over, aluminum is weak against shearing force.
ProjectDA
also dont litter! those blades need to be properly disposed of.
SarcasticComment
Blacksmiths love saw blades and would happily take a donation
THUB
You're describing bending not shearing though
smhippy
A pipe cutter doesn't need batteries, makes no sound and are cheap.
anegativecreep
Also easily pocketable.
OmnibusLatinName
Unfortunately, slow compared to powered tools.
samanthadlcruz
are there special circular saw blades for cutting aluminum poles on my own property? that circular saw looked like it was using a fairly standard wood cutting blade. hint: If you have a lot of aluminum poles on your property to cut down dewalt makes batteries as large as 12AH batteries that can probably slice through several dozen poles before needing to recharge.
TrumpRapesAndEatsChildren0002
There are, but a blade for aluminium is not the same as one for steel! Aluminium is kind of gunking up tools so the teeth are apparently different for it.
samanthadlcruz
(There are saw blades specifically for metal - Those would last a lot longer than a blade meant for cutting wood - milwaukee makes some really good ones). I couldn't read the info on the blade used in the video but it looked like a standard construction rip saw blade for lumber - those would work but will probably not survive multiple cuts)
someexpectedvalue
It’s imperative here that the cylinder get damaged
Bubbells
Do we only want the poles cut or also any unwanted attachments that may no longer be needed?
battleofhastings1066
https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1bTZpamlrbXdsaGxrMTV2eHhtZ3QzMXVxcjUzdmh3Nms2c3hiZzQ0diZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/4tQmuMGdah3B6/200w.webp
RamboGram
deflock.org
SomebodythatIusedtonope
That is a stupid amount of camera you’ve got there
DunnowForgot
Would be a shame if anything happened to them.
anegativecreep
The reciprocating saw would fly through that aluminum with a couple squirts of wd40. It’s a great cutting fluid for aluminum, and helps keep blade from loading up.
ldstrike
Dont even need that, he was using a demolition blade, they sell metal cutting blades (a little more square shaped) that cut aluminum like butter.
anegativecreep
Yeah, but sometimes you just gotta “run what you brung”.
wabitgirl
WD40 is an incredible cutting fluid and cleaner. It is NOT a lubricant.
ShotgunFatality
But it lubricated my door hinge... I guess I could use graphite but I didn't have any.
wabitgirl
It cleaned your door hinge, removing rust and particulate that was rubbing and making the squeaking for now. I give it maybe six months before it starts acting up again. However, if you pull the pins and grease that sucker up with actual lube (I personally adore tri-flow for household use cause it's easy, works great, and smells like bananas), you'll see that your previous ideas of "lubricated" were barely even slippery!
bamblebimble
2 years later and my door hinge isn't squeaky. But also side note, there is wd40 lubricant which isn't normal wd40
wabitgirl
Oh, yeah, if you got the lubricant variety, that's got lubricating additives, also knowns as Extra Slicccccc
TrumpRapesAndEatsChildren0002
So what you're saying is to make the circular work even faster, use WD40 as well?
anegativecreep
It should help any of them cut aluminum better, but especially the sawzall because of its smaller teeth. Warning: WD40 on a rotating blade will also mean WD40 sprayed on anything within 10ft thanks to centrifugal force.
Corbinator78
I apologize for doing this but....
https://www.sciencing.com/centripetal-vs-centrifugal-force-whats-the-difference-why-it-matters-13721035/
anegativecreep
TIL. This is why I work in the dirt, and not a laboratory.
Corbinator78
Hey, I work in a laboratory, but I used to work in the dirt, and I know some dirt workers that are certifiable geniuses. Don't put yourself down for not knowing something.