Techniques to clean / deburr the edges of aluminium sheet

[Richard Photofusion]

Afternoon all,

We often mount photographic prints onto 2mm aluminium, using facemount and a jetmounter. We get the aluminium precut by a metal supplier, but there is always a slight lip where the guillotine cuts, even when we've paid to have the sheets deburred (I guess that our requirements make us slightly picky...)
We clean this up with a telum pad from lion http://tinyurl.com/osv2o9o, as it seems to leave less crud than wet&dry, and gives a very nice clean edge.

We've got a show coming up with 130 A2 photos to print and mount - does anyone have a better tool / technique for finishing the edges of metal sheet?

On the plus side, we tend to do the clean up on the (flat) roof, when the weather is good, so this helps get the sun tan going. But it is a lot of sanding, which inevitably leads to one arm feeling knackered, and one hand lightly covered in cuts...

[oskar516]

Hi,

You need one of these: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/product/4 ... tAodPlUA-Q

They take a bit of getting used to, so practice on some offcuts first. But once you get the knack theyre great and super quick and generate no dust!

oskar

[oskar516]

Theres a terrible video here of how they work, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HISXiKvmgE

Personnally I used to have my thumb on the back edge of the tool head which gave me a little more precision, but as most things its personal preference!

[JFeig]

To debur and aluminum sheet, solid or composite core, a simple file, sandpaper block or a machinist. deburring tool can be used.

http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/09387366 or equivelent

[Richard Photofusion]

Thank you both - I'll get a couple of these, and I think also one of the double burr tools as well. http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/products/2446717/. We've a lot of sheets to get through, and as long as they don't create too much of a bevel, should do the job

[Richard Photofusion]

Thanks Guys, the deburring tool works a treat, and functions through the protective film on the aluminium.

The double burr tool is, hmmmm. Awful - leaves a jaggy stepped edge, Glad I only have myself to blame!