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cutting continuous soffit vents

ahneedhelp | Posted in Construction Techniques on July 14, 2002 09:26am

We have a hip roof with 2′ wide soffits.
The soffits are clad in 1/4″ plywood.
Not wanting to use a heavy corded sidewinder to slice open a continuous soffit vent, I bought a 18-V DeWalt. Not such a good plan.
But the worse problem is holding up the saw upside down and trying to make the cut looking up.
Need a space helmet that is completely sealed to be able to breathe during the cut. Visibility is a somewhat a problem as well.
And then there is the Michelangelo neck afterwards…
The other option would be to remove the 1/4″ boards and reinstall them narrower or install vented soffits.
If you have any suggestions, I would appreciate it.
(The ridge vents are already in place.)

Because of the way the gutter folks wrapped the facia to accomodate the aluminum soffits, it would involve gutter/facia wrap removal if I want to install the vented soffits.

Thanks,

Alan

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Replies

  1. UncleDunc | Jul 14, 2002 10:18pm | #1

    How about tacking up guide strips so you don't have to look up to follow the line with the saw? Just jam it up against the guide and go.

    1. ahneedhelp | Jul 16, 2002 01:23am | #2

      Guide strips is part of the plan but I didn't think about not having to look up.

      Thanks !

      1. DaveRicheson | Jul 16, 2002 04:10am | #3

        RotoZip tool or a laminate router with the guide strips. Still a lot of dust, but they are lighter and easier on the arms than a cordless circular saw. Duct tape ####piece of cardboard to the back of the tool as a dust deflector, and stay behind it.

        A RotoZip or laminate trimmer has a small enough base that you may be able to make a template for both sides of the opening out of a 1/4 inch piece of luan plywood. Tack it in place and do seven feet at a time.

        Safety equipment: safety glasses, dust mask, and hearing prtection.

        No solution for the stiff neck. it comes with the job sometime.

        Dave

        1. WebTrooper | Jul 16, 2002 05:56am | #4

          I keep a 4-1/2 inch carbide blade with my 4-1/4  inch grinder for just this purpose. It takes a little rigging but it works. Extreme caution is advised.

          ~ WebTrooper ~

  2. Nails | Jul 16, 2002 04:15pm | #5

    I was confronted by a fireman about continuous soffit vents. He said vented soffits over oenings (doors windows) cause a fire to have a natural chimney for flames and is a fire hazard. Also said insurance companies are getting involved with encouraging code changes. Since it was his house I said yes sir and we discussed  when it should stop and start in relation to the opening  and decided on 16 inches to either side . Just curious what you think about using a router on this job?

    1. ahneedhelp | Jul 16, 2002 04:49pm | #6

      Dang !

      Yet another tool for the job.

      A router I hadn't considered - a RotoZip was suggested already.

      Router, which I already own, would be a beast to operate upside down, more so then a saw. And the dust would be finer.

      Very interesting point on fire concerns.

      It reminds me of the FH article on the Oakland fires and the only remaining house that had most of the air passages outside blocked off.

      Although I recently bought a grinder and some blades, I am leaning toward nailing up guide strips and not looking up while I run the sidewinder.....upside down !

      Thanks for the reply and the point about fire hazards.

      I do need to mull over that one.

      Perhaps it should be a thread in itself as I see many folks commenting on it.

      Alan

      1. KenHill3 | Jul 16, 2002 07:15pm | #7

        If you're not stuck on continuous, how about the circular metal vent inserts?

        Ken Hill

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