# Cutting 0.031 Aluminum - and having problems **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.wazer.com/t/cutting-0-031-aluminum-and-having-problems/316 "2022-03-16T14:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CNC-Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a87d85/32.png) [@CNC-Joe](https://community.wazer.com/u/CNC-Joe)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.wazer.com/t/cutting-0-031-aluminum-and-having-problems/316/1 "2022-03-16T14:32:38Z")
Hi Wazer Team, - I’m having trouble cutting 0.031 inch aluminum. - Sometimes it will “pierce” with no problem. - Other times, the wazer won’t pierce, and will continue “cutting” but only accomplishing a scoring cut. - I did have a monster clog in my garnet delivery line (probably from having it disconnected for so long while cutting foam). - I cleared the clog in the delivery line by disconnecting it on both ends (Garnet hopper and nozzle) and blowing the line out with compressed air. Any suggestions are appreciated. Joe Comunale Troy, Michigan, USA ---
**Author:** ![Alex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/community.wazer.com/alex/32/14_2.png) [@Alex](https://community.wazer.com/u/Alex)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.wazer.com/t/cutting-0-031-aluminum-and-having-problems/316/2 "2022-03-16T18:50:27Z")
Hi Joe, Thanks for sharing your experiences and troubleshooting steps so far. At the moment, it sounds like your abrasive flow may be experiencing difficulty. Especially since you have recently experienced a monster clog in the abrasive system. With your observations of sometimes it will pierce/cut and other times it won’t, this is a sign that the abrasive flow-rate is dipping too low, affecting the cut. After a few moments, the flow-rate returns. A fluctuation in flow-rate can be difficult to troubleshoot. In order to test the abrasive flow-rate, you can follow the steps found here ([Link](https://www.wazer.com/resources/maintenance/procedures/checking-the-abrasive-rate)) Please measure the flow-rate and let us know what you find! If the specification is low (Ideal range being 130-150 g/min), I recommend cleaning the pinch valve solenoid due to the monster clog you experienced. This may help keep flow fluctuations to a minimal. Cleaning the pinch valve solenoid can be found here ([Link](https://www.wazer.com/resources/maintenance/procedures/pinch-valve-teardown-v2)) Please let me know your abrasive flow rate, and if cleaning the valve has restored the flow more consistently! ---
**Author:** ![Alex](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/community.wazer.com/alex/32/14_2.png) [@Alex](https://community.wazer.com/u/Alex)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.wazer.com/t/cutting-0-031-aluminum-and-having-problems/316/3 "2022-03-16T19:05:08Z")
Forgot to mention something, oops! When cutting without abrasive, please disconnect the abrasive hose from the cutting head. To be frank, I only plug the abrasive hose into the cutting head when I am ready to cut a material that requires abrasive. Leaving the hose disconnected from the cutting head will prevent any water/clogs forming in the hose. P.S. A user has shared a custom made 3D printed abrasive hose holder, so the hose does not simply dangle in the tank during troubleshooting or cutting without abrasive. Check it out! ([Link](https://community.wazer.com/t/abrasive-hose-holder/162)) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/wazer/original/1X/4c8573d0fc59146736da30417e336bcbcb20b2eb.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![CNC-Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a87d85/32.png) [@CNC-Joe](https://community.wazer.com/u/CNC-Joe)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://community.wazer.com/t/cutting-0-031-aluminum-and-having-problems/316/4 "2022-03-20T17:18:51Z")
Thank You! This is great stuff!