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Cutting Hardi Plank siding

byrd48 | Posted in General Discussion on August 21, 2011 10:31am

I’m installing cement board siding for the first time was wondering what the best way to cut it is.  I’ve used both a circular saw and have scored it with a box knife.  I don’t always get a clean edge when scoring it, but it’s much less messy than the circular saw.  

But I’m at the point where I need to cut it to fit around the window trim which will involve taking a 5 foot notch out of the middle of the board.  I also have a 5/4″ trim piece running vertically at the end of one wall which forms a corner to another wall.  I need to rip about half an inch off it.  I tried a jigsaw and got about 6 inches before the wood blade melted.  The metal blades I have aren’t long enough.  

Furthermore, the chimney has a rounded shape to it when it narrows as it goes up, so I will need to be able to ‘cope’ a rounded end on the planks.

I saw the recommended carbide tipped 6 tpi blades which are $25 / 3 pack.  Does anyone have experience with those?  

Thanks

 

Jon

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Replies

  1. DanH | Aug 21, 2011 10:56pm | #1

    I think a shear is often recommended.  Never seen one, but I gather it's a bit like a school-type paper cutter.

  2. Scott | Aug 22, 2011 01:03am | #2

    There's plenty of info in the archives. Try searching.

    In a nutshell, I use shears for cross cuts and some rips. I use the Hitachi carbide jigsaw blades for contours and some rips.

    Use a cheap jigsaw...the FC dust will kill it so there's no sense in using a fine machine.

  3. Hokuto | Aug 22, 2011 03:07am | #3

    The Hitachi hardiblades for jigsaws are excellent and will do just what you want. I just finished residing with Hardiplank and used the Hitachi blades for all cutouts around electrical services, pipes, trim, and so on. (I also bought a pack of blades by Makita for FC, and they also worked well.) However, you will still want a vacuum hookup on the jigsaw (mine is Bosch) to remove as much of the dust as possible. Then, after finishing work, be sure to clean out the jigsaw with compressed air and/or a toothbrush and WD40, since the dust clogs the works. My Bosch jigsaw is currently in dire need of a professional cleaning and tuneup since finishing the siding job.

    For straight-across (90deg) cuts where plank meets trim and will be caulked, a pair of electric shears works very well, without the clouds of dust. The cut won't be as clean as with a circ saw or jigsaw, but since the joint will be caulked, it doesn't matter for looks. I hope you're also being sure to paint the ends of all cuts you make.

    Hitachi Hardieblades: http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-725397-4-Inch-Blades-Cement/dp/B0002VM25S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313996736&sr=8-1

    Pactools Snapper shears: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pactools+snapper+shears&x=0&y=0

  4. Hokuto | Aug 22, 2011 12:04pm | #4

    regarding the Hitachi Hardieblades: a pack of three should last for the entire house, assuming you're careful; I jammed and bent a blade due to carelessness and had to buy some more (the Makita), but I probably could have straightened and used the bent blade if it were that or nothing.

  5. byrd48 | Aug 22, 2011 10:55pm | #5

    Thanks, I was leaning towards doing what you did and framing out the lights and outlets before siding.  I have some of the scrap hardi 5/4 trim and was wondering if it would work (how well would it hold a screw).  I think I'll just get some 5/4 syp.  Your work looks great by the way.

    Going to order the jigsaw blades, 9 bucks a piece won't be too bad if they last the entire job.

    Thanks again for the input.

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