I am putting up some Fibre cement shakes in some gable ends. One has a half-round window. I am wondering what the best way to cut the round profile is. Snippers are not an option. Are there blades for the Jigsaw I can use? Regular ones last about 10 seconds. I was thinking maybe using a recip saw with a tough blade… Any suggestions?
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I always use my circular saw. Always.
On the inside radius you have to keep your eye on the back of the blade.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, some of it is viewed as boogerin and not consistent with views of those who prefer to overbuild everything...including their own egos
Additionally, don't take any political advice from me. I'm just a parrot for the Republican talking points. I get all my news from Rush Limbaugh and Fox and Friends (they are funny...try them out)!
that's what I was gonna say ...
old blade in the circular saw.
Jeff
Carbide tipped jigsaw blades are available at most of my local hardware stores.
I still prefer the shears.
Blue said it....
If you don't have shears, one of those four toothed FC circular saw blades will do it. I'd probably do it in two 1/4" ish passes though.
Look close and you will see. The shingle lines curve up and over the arch windows. Easier to do in wood than FC, but worth the effort.
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I used bimetal blades when the hardware store did not have any abrasive blades. They lasted about 4" of cut. By lifting the saw and cutting on a different bunch of teeth, you can get another 4". But abrasive blades are the way to go.
A rasp might work (cut straight then use the rasp to form the curve), but I'm only guessing on that one.
Just a guess, but how about a mini grinder with a diamond blade?
If you can stand the dust, it should work pretty well.
Look in the ceramic tile dept of HD or Lowes ... they usually have a carbide grit-toothed blade for jigsaws.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Second vote for grit-edge jigsaw blades. Coarser is better, because the fine ones load up in FC and stop cutting.
Bill
I just did one about a month ago with a curved window and loads of scroll trimwork. Jigsaw blade was the best as mentioned . I tried all of the above and you can make them work, but the jigsaw was by far the easiest.