Replies

1. 
   dIrishInMe | Apr 22, 2004 03:01pm | #1

   Not the answer to your question, but if you wet the material before cutting it, it makes for less dust.  I think Mike Smith has a nice setup.  He posted a pic a while back.  Circ saw with attached vacuum system.

   Matt
2. 
   SteveInCleveland | Apr 22, 2004 03:20pm | #2

   I'm sure a hand-held wet saw would work well.  On a recent project, I used my large stationary wet saw to make almost all of my cuts.  For long pieces, I had a helper support the extra length.  I was amazed how quickly it cut, "like butter".  And NO dust to boot!

   Good luck.

1. 
   moltenmetal | Apr 22, 2004 07:48pm | #3

   We've modified plain old double-insulated 7 1/4" circular saws for cutting fibreglass grating WET to control both dust and odour.  We just plumbed 'em with a compression fitting tee and a piece of tubing directing water at both the front and back edge of the blade, installed a needle valve on the tee inlet so you can control flow, and hooked the tubing up to a garden hose.  No dust and considerably less odour than trying to cut it dry.  Less dust was good for the lungs AND the saw.  Just to make sure, we always operate these with a GFCI outlet to reduce the risk of shocks.  Maybe it'd work for you too.  A single abrasive blade cut a couple of hundred sheets of grating, but Chinese diamond blades are so cheap these days they might be a better bet for your cement siding.

3. 
   whoover | Apr 25, 2004 09:14pm | #4

   Two ideas:

   Makita makes a 4" saw with a dust collection system which works pretty well if you attach it to a dust collector or a shop vac. (I think it is model 5044?)

   and PC makes a shear specifically for cement siding and it is amazingly effective.  Cuts like butter and is easy to cut stright lines.  No dust and very quick.  Gives you the option of cutting some odd shapes and re-entrant corners.

   Good luck,

   Bill

4. 
   USAnigel | Apr 25, 2004 10:15pm | #5

   Your're on the right track with Makita. They make a 7" version  #5057 (I think) look around for the price varies a lot!! It is around $250+

5. 
   tyke | Apr 25, 2004 10:54pm | #6

   ummmmmmmmmm . I've used saws to cut this stuff and they are all either cumbersome or make for a dusty messy mess.

   I bought a pair of sheers by Porter Cable. And man do I love them. No dust, cuts like butter and I also use them on hardi backer for tile. I have 5/16" and 1/2 " hardibacker. These sheers even cut a radius with no problem.  Kett also makes a set of sheers but i really like pc /delta tools.Plus the PC is about $20.00 bucks cheaper and the heads on the two are interchangeable.

     

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Apr 25, 2004 11:35pm | #7

   here's the 7 1/4 Makita.. hooked up to a Fein Auto-vac... with Roy doing his thing..

   you can also rip with this set up.. this will beat any other system including shears  for production and comfortMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   tyke | Apr 26, 2004 02:03am | #8

   It looks swell having to tote a saw with an umbilical cord and tripping device .

   and how do you cut radii?

   anywho each to his own thanks for the pic.

   tyke 

   just another day in paradise

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Apr 26, 2004 03:00am | #9

   it all happens on the cutting bench.... radii are cut with a saber saw

   if you're a shear man... there's no hope for you anyways...

    hah, hah, hahMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore