I’m wondering if anyone can reccomend a good 10″ circular saw blade, that I can use on my crosscut saw, that will cut this cement fiber siding. I’m also wondering how to make cut-outs in the siding for electrical outlets ect.
Thank You
Greg
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the FM siding maker should have blade recomendations. As far as cut outs and fine detail work. 4 inch grinder with correct blade. Again the siding maker would/should have blade suggestions. THere are blades made to cut fiber cement siding, but you probably wont find them at big box stores.
I suggest you invest in electric shears designed for cutting fiber cement siding. They cut fast and do not put the dust into the air that a saw will. Also they will get lots of use as fiber cement products are gaining in popularity. For fine cuts try abrasive blades for the jigsaw. You will find that the shears will make most of your cuts - curves, angles, rips, etc. and the jigsaw will only be needed for very small cutouts like electrical fixtures, and utilities.
Any idea where one could buy these shears.
Amazon.com for starters. I use the Kett shears and find they work well. Variable speed is good for finer cuts, blades can be reversed when one side dulls. I don't have experience with any other brand.
Porter Cable...about the same price as the Kett. I think the Kett can cut 1/2" hardiboard. If so, good feature. Either way, the shears are great and do a nice job.
Makita FC saw with a Fein auto-vac...Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Makita makes two saws/blades designed specifically for FC work, one is 4" and the other 7-1/4. Both have plastic housings around the blade with a hook-up for vacs as Mike Smith described. I have used the smaller saw with my shop vac and it is almost dust-free. Bought the smaller saw from a Makita recon store for better than half off list but then switched to a Dewalt diamond blade vice the special new carbide blade the saw came with. Makita recon store people were very helpful to me - giving me a new blade with the saw in addition to the apparent low hour one it had.
As far as box cut outs go, I used my jig saw with a carbide blade after drilling starter with masonry bit. That has worked for me but others may have better/quicker ideas.
As far as shears go, I purchased the PC shears for about $200 and, while they would likely work wonders with smooth or textured FC siding, they DO NOT work well with Cemplank beaded smooth siding (deep bead) and I BELIEVE the same would apply to any mfg beaded siding. I'll be happy to sell you my shears (1 hour use max) if you are interested - e-mail off line.
I've have experience with both tools...the shears and the special Makita saw. Hands down I go with the shears. The saw is really really loud... the shears cut relatively clean with no dust, just burn a 1/4in of material. Did I mention that the saw is loud? and dusty. We recently broke the main shaft of the shears. But still I'd go with the shears. I did say that the say was loud right?
Peace,
Martin
Pardon?
Greg-
A lot of us fabricate solid wood mounting blocks for outlets, fixtures, vents, hose bibs, etc., cut holes in the blocks, mount to wall sheathing, and do the siding installation up to and around the blocks.
Ken Hill
I have seen the purpose built fiber cement blades for circular saws at both Lowes and Home Depot. About $10 if I remember correctly. This is Florida so your mileage may vary. Some time ago I asked few crews that were installing FC siding what they used to cut it. All of them were using carbide tipped combination blades, same type they used for framing.
I use both the shears and a blade, except for the blade, let me recommend that, if you're only doing a small one-time job, simply use a standard $5, 10inch blade in your chop saw. You'll go through a few of them because they'll dull quickly, but, at $5 each, who cares?