I will be doing some fiber cement shingling after it stops raining Wed. and am now enroute to picking up the material (waitng for cofee). $60 for 18 12†x 24†shingles. Cha-Ching!
Anyway, how do I make nice clean cuts? Must I use my wet saw? My circ. saw w/ masonry blade is going to create lots of dust. (I’m getting older and don’t care for the dust.) I thought of using my tile snap and cut tool. Not sure it will make the cleanest cut though.
The reason for the clean cuts is that the shigles will be installed between multiple window units along a deck. (5’ rule does not apply.) I would like it to be as nice as possible – Referals ya know. I know I will also be caulking but a jagged edge might still show through. Maybe not.
Maybe there are instructions with the shingle bundles, but I wanted some real life tips.
Coffee’s here! Gotta go!
F.
Replies
find ya a slate cutter..like a paper cutter but it takes a swath of 3/16 or so..works like a charm.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
For FC I use this Makita special FC circular saw that hooks up to my shop vac - quick and dust isn't too bad. Still wear the mask however.
A tile cutter won't work. The material, being fibrous, won't snap cleanly like a brittle material will. You can remove the fuzz from the edge with (fairly coarse) sandpaper or a stone.
I believe the instructions will call for a 1/4" space between shingles. I'm not sure what you'd caulk except along adjoining trim. It's better to leave a slight space there because the caulking will stretch better than if the shingle is butted tightly.
Have fun, it's nice stuff.