Replies

1. 
   Sphere | Oct 27, 2004 06:07pm | #1

   rip some starter from the siding it self, use the lfet over for the top course if applicable, or, git cha some cedar bevelled siding and rip that.

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

2. 
   mikerooney | Oct 27, 2004 08:40pm | #2

   Just rip a bunch of strips from a PT 2x4, now quit stalling and get back to work.

   Our quarrel with the world is an echo of the endless quarrel within us.  - Eric Hoffer

1. 
   gdavis62 | Oct 27, 2004 10:27pm | #3

   Hear, hear!  Coulda had 'em ripped and put up in the time it took to go in the house and post the Q on Breaktime.

1. 
   mikerooney | Oct 27, 2004 10:31pm | #4

   The way this 'puter's running, could've had one side done.Our quarrel with the world is an echo of the endless quarrel within us.  - Eric Hoffer

3. 
   DanH | Oct 28, 2004 01:25am | #5

   When we did our house with tempered Masonite, we ripped the siding itself to 1.5", then dipped it in primer. If you can find some tempered hardboard siding somewhere then that might be the ticket. (But make sure it's really 100% tempered.) Otherwise I'd look for some redwood or cedar or some such and dip it in primer.

   I think you want more than 1/4". The starter strip should be about the same thickness as the top edge of the siding.

1. 
   ikor | Oct 28, 2004 01:46am | #6

   For Hardie, I just rip a plank or two for the starter. Doesn't make sense ta me to use material that will rot to space siding that won't, and the spacing is just right.

1. 
   DanH | Oct 28, 2004 04:58am | #7

   Yeah, but I can imagine that ripping Hardie is a bit more of a chore than ripping most other materials. If nothing else it means that you have to get a Hardie blade for your table saw, or just wreck one of your TS blades. (Though I suppose you might get away with mounting your Hardie cutoff blade in a TS, if the spindle is compatible.)

1. 
   JeffBuck | Oct 28, 2004 05:07am | #8

   just throw on an old blade and have at it.

   Jeff

2. 
   MikeFitz | Oct 28, 2004 05:08am | #9

   If you have the shears, it is very easy and quick.

1. 
   DanH | Oct 28, 2004 05:18am | #10

   I can't imagine ripping with shears.

2. 
   MikeFitz | Oct 28, 2004 06:02am | #11

   You can't gang cut the way you might be able to with a saw, but there is no dust or much noise.  The shears might not be as accurate as the saw in a rip cut, but for a spacer it doesn't really matter.  I cut all my spacers with the shears and had no problems.

3. 
   ikor | Oct 28, 2004 01:21pm | #12

   It is not that bad, and as pointed out, the spacer does not have to pe perfect. I use my circle saw and have at it with small jobs. If doing a bunch, I will do as someone mentioned and throw an old blade on the TS. We have lots of rain here (N. Florida) and lots of humidity if it ain't raining, so I just prefer to keep anything that could possibly rot as far away from the sill plares as I can. (We also have lots of these little buggers called Termites!)

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Oct 29, 2004 06:45am | #13

   all our fibercement starter is 2x PT ripped to apx 3/8....

    one guy and a table saw can give you all you need from scraps in about 5 minutesMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   BSzydlo | Oct 29, 2004 11:43pm | #14

   Thank you all for the input.  Since all siding must start somewhere I would've thought that manufacturers (such as Hardi) would sell starter strips so that you do not have to try and rip them yourself.  Ripped Hardiplank would probably be the best material but I do not want to ruin my cabinet TS with this material so I am going to go with ripping PT 2X4s.  My concern was that the outside of the lumber gets the majority of the treatment and I was afraid ripping them would result in loss of protection.  This remodel is on my own house, not something I do professionally, and I did not want to start out on the wrong foot.  There was something written in FHB about using 3/8" Z strips (?) rather than wood but I think I am just going with the PT.  Thanks again, Bill

3. 
   DanH | Oct 30, 2004 12:19am | #15

   Dip them in alkyd primer or a preservative.

4. 
   xMikeSmith | Oct 31, 2004 06:20am | #16

   bszy... our pt is .040.. it's pretty much fully penetrated..but in  any case.. it will have enough treatment in it to do the job..

   the siding is keeping it dry ..

   and  it's so much easier to use than strips of fiber cement.. the strips tend to break..

   i prefer the ptMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore