Replies

1. 
   Jason | Nov 29, 2001 08:16pm | #1

   *
   Yes and yes. It will damage the blade, over time, but we use el cheapo plywood blades, reversed in the saw; good clean cut, the blades last a while, and it makes a really cool sound when cutting.

   You can also make a simple jig for the saws base to ride on with a little fence; then you can just slide it through, nip it off with the saw and be done real fast.

1. 
   David_Cass | Nov 30, 2001 06:36am | #2

   *Aluminum will not damage a saw blade provided it states it can cut non-ferrous metals.Hell, you can run your electric planer over aluminum.Most carbide-toothed circ. saw blades can do this adequately.More teeth than less, say 40 or so.Run it right-ways, not backwards.best, DCWear your glasses.

1. 
   Mike_Willms | Dec 01, 2001 08:38am | #3

   *Cheapo skilsaw blade. Keep the blade in the right way, pull the saw backwards to cut. Best done with a homemade jig. Wear hearing protection.

1. 
   Ralph_Wicklund | Dec 02, 2001 02:59am | #4

   *Try scoring the aluminum with a utility knife. Use a straight edge. Flop it back and forth a couple of times and it parts easily at the score line. You can snip the folds. Real quiet. No flying chips getting into everything.What? You're done already?

1. 
   S._W._Morgan | Dec 02, 2001 04:59am | #5

   *I use my dewalt sliding compound miter saw for doing soffit jobs. I keep a crappy blade handy just for soffit jobs. I can cut about 5 pieces at a time this way and it is super fast. Good Luck.Sam MorganS. W. Morgan Fine Homes

2. 
   Richard_Utter | Dec 25, 2001 08:43am | #6

   *I use Van Marks Trim A Table. It is a siding saw that cuts from 90 degrees to a 12 / 2 pitch. It really makes this job a snap as well as cutting siding, vinyl or other.

3. 
   G.LaLonde | Dec 25, 2001 08:53pm | #7

   *Hi Richard, I have been looking at these for some time now and they seem to be the best made and designed of them all. Is there anything you don't like about this setup? How much did you pay for it?

4. 
   Richard_Utter | Dec 26, 2001 04:47am | #8

   *I really like it and would recommend it if you are in the market. I have only seen Tapco's version in a siding dealers show room. I didn't care for their setup. I use my Makita circular saw with a brake for the power head. I remove the guard and put on a 8 1/4" or 8 1/2" plywood blade on (backwards of course). It will give you more room between the saw tracks and the fence table. I believe that I gave $500.00 for the T-A-T and another $50.00 for the legs. That was several years ago, I have seen that they are around $700.00 now. Check ABC Supply, I think they carry them.

5. 
   Mad_Dog | Dec 28, 2001 11:51pm | #9

   *Wow. I can't believe you guys run your saws with the blade on as normal, and even crazier, doing the dangerous practice of running a saw backwards through the material. And using a 12"scms? Does that have 18" of cutting capability or do you use thinner soffit material that me?This is the only thing I use my junk Makita for. The blade is backwards, it works quite nicely in the homemade jig like what Jason mentioned. Can't believe anyone would do it any other way.MD

6. 
   michael_A. | Feb 22, 2002 11:11pm | #10

   *Home made jig, blade on backwards, an old tape tacked on the cutting board so you don't have to measure each panel , and deffinately glasses.