Cutting fiber cement siding

When cutting fiber-cement siding with circular saw, use a blade that has only four or six teeth. For a slow, but virtually dustless way to cut siding , use power shears. I got two hours out of a thin-kerf, 24-tooth carbide blade on my wormdrive before sparks shot out where it contacted the siding.

Installing fiber cement siding is an alternative to woo vinyl and stucco. This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shares his secrets for working with fiber - cement siding. See below for a shopping list and tools.

Click here to SUBSCRIBE to the official This Old. OSHA states that using readily available tools can eliminate the need to use respirators, and reduce or eliminate other requirements. See Table for more details.

Cut the frieze board to length (Photo 3). Even a carbide tooth blade will last for only part of the day. At home centers, you can buy diamond blades made specifically for cutting fiber cement. These blades cut quickly and create less dust.

Home Depot refuses to cut it because it ruins their saw blades. Smooth, fast, and dust-free operation. Built with a contractor-tough 6. Reversible blades machined from solid tool steel. Average blade cost is $per house. Fiber Cement Siding Shear.

Snapper Shear is used to cut fiber cement , compared to using score-and. Deck-Floor-Boards, fiber - cement siding , rubber cove base. The Nickel plated blade design with a high leverage handle, requires less force to produce clean cuts with minimal air-borne dust.

Although fiber cement has endured some largely unwarranted criticism concerning moisture issues. And proper precautions should be taken when cutting fiber cement siding. To prevent damage to the siding , avoid overdriving the fasteners. James Hardie siding is made from cellulose and Portland cement. Just about any type of cutting tool can be used to cut it, even a utility knife however the problem comes from the dust generated during the cutting and blade life.

While fiber cement siding is prized for its strength and durability, these same features can be a problem during installation. One of the biggest problems is the difficulty in cutting the planks. I got a fiber cement blade for circular saw, works great for what we are doing.

Regular carbide blades will cut fiber cement , but they dull relatively quickly, and if you attempt a gang cut , the blades overheat and can warp. The use of fiber - cement siding in con-struction and renovation is undergoing rapid growth. Fast cutting blades are specialized for fiber cement siding only.

Telescoping clamp fits large or small drill housing. Extremely durable fiber cement siding is resistant to moisture, fire, warping and insects. Check out our large selection of sizes and shapes. PCD Blades: Use polycrystalline diamond-tipped (PCD) blades designed to be used to cut fiber - cement siding.

Compared to Carbide-tipped blades, they provide a cleaner cut of the siding , exhibit a longer wear life, and may reduce the dust generated. Where to buy tools used for cutting or removing asbestos cement or fiber cement shingles, siding , or roofing. We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. Silica dust can be harmful to your health, and the CDC and OSHA recommends exposure be limited as much as possible.

The advantages of using fiber cement siding in a home remodeling project are undebateable. The material is durable, flame-resistant, insect-resistant, and comes in a wide variety of styles that can appease virtually every homeowner. When inhaled over time, the small particles of silica can irreversibly damage the lungs. Workers are exposed to crystalline silica dust in operations like cutting , sawing, drilling or crushing components that contain crystalline silica.

Share your experiences with new tools and equipment. Learn about tips, techniques, jigs, and gadgets. Anything to do with construction tools, hardware, equipment, or accessories is welcome. The dust created when cutting cement siding is unhealthy. Wear approved dust masks to avoid hurting your lungs.

Paint Loves Cement Siding. They hold paint very well because the products do not expand and contract with changes in humidity. Construction workers may be exposed to hazardous dust containing silica when cutting fiber-cement siding. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that workers’ exposures could be reduced by attaching a regular shop vacuum to a dust-collecting circular saw providing.

This retail availability is less intended for siding an entire house than it is for patching existing siding , replacing those hated asbestos- cement shingles, or maybe even for siding an entire small add-on such as a bumpout or for a detached workshop. Find quality fiber cement trim online or in store. CAN BE USED ON PRE-PAINTED SIDING cut with painted side face down for perfect, finished edges. An innovative alternative to traditional wood siding. The highly durable low maintenance design will not warp or rot and will protect your home or building from the elements.

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