How Do You Cut an Aluminum LED Channel?

Enhancing your living space is a great idea, and LED lights can help a lot. Unfortunately cutting aluminum LED channels isn’t easy. And it’s not just because of how it feels to cut through metal.

But don’t worry! We’re here to guide you.

Measure First

You want everything to be perfect, right? That includes the LED channel. Don’t forget to measure any additional fittings that you might have to add in the future as well. After all that, mark where you want to cut with anything like a marker or pencil for example. Then use an L-square or ruler to draw a straight line.

Safety First

We should probably talk about how this is going to go down before we start cutting things up. Put on gloves and glasses before making any cuts you need: The type of saw doesn’t matter as long as it’s reliable and safe for your hands and eyes.

Secure your aluminum LED profile onto a workbench or sawhorse with a clamp. It doesn’t matter which one you use. Just make sure you protect yourself from rogue splinters and debris flying around with some protective eyewear and gloves.

Picking the Right Saw

Choosing between a miter and hacksaw can be tough, but they both get the job done well. Both of them are able to slice through aluminum with ease. I’m sure we have all tried cutting something with an old rusty blade, it’s not fun. However, if you’re looking to use either one of these saws, make sure you change out the blade for one made for cutting aluminum.

Do keep in mind that whatever one you choose; you need to maintain the blade. It will instantly become cold and prevent metal from sticking to it.

If speed is what you’re after, then I suggest going with a cutting machine instead of a saw. Just remember that there’s more ways to injure yourself than with a saw so please be careful. As long as we keep safety guidelines in mind, you’ll be able to yield great results!

The Last Step

You’ve been working hard to achieve that smooth and polished look on your aluminum LED channel, and now, you just need to make that one final step.  To do this, you can use sandpaper or files. Metal files come in different shapes and sizes so it’s easy to get the level of smoothness you desire.

Sandpaper is even better for a smoother finish, but it requires more effort from your end. You’ll also have to work with tender loving care so as not to damage it. Some people argue that nothing is better than sandpaper when going for the ultimate smoothness though, so definitely consider that!

Wrap Up

Once you get the hang of it, cutting an aluminum LED channel is pretty straightforward. Just make sure to use a high-quality saw with a fine-toothed blade and keep it clean while cutting.

FAQs

Do I need power tools?

No, not at all! All you need is a hacksaw with a fine-toothed blade if you want to cut through that aluminum LED channel.

What kind of miter saw should I use?

For a job like this one, try out the Non-Ferrous Carbide blade. It makes life easier.

I need a longer profile. How can I connect LED profiles?

Sometimes profiles come with ways to connect pieces together. You might find mounting clips or slide-in connection pieces. Check out what comes with your profile for the perfect fit.

I don't have the specs for my LED strip. How can I find its cutting increment?

No worries, there will be a line or marker indicating where you can cut it off. Another thing you can look for are solder pads at each point, these come in clutch when connecting power supply wires.