I’m thinking about getting a used radial arm saw for a fiber cement siding job that I’m about to start. There are few used Craftsman ones on Craigslist for about $100. Would hook up a cheap shop-vac to suck up the dust.
Anybody ever use a RAS for fiber cement?
TP
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On our first job with the stuff we used a Makita sliding miter saw. The dust trashed it. It didn't slide so much anymore. If there is anyplace for the dust to get in the RAS it will get there unless you have a super duper collection system.
John
I clicked on the FHB video of (I think it was) Mike Guertin cuting with a shear attachment fo a cordless drill. I couldn't believe how clean the cut was! Not to mention the jobsite!I haven't used the stuff yet, but I will. Much as I love working with cedar and redwood, we've just got to stop cutting down that old growth.And when I do try the fiber-cement, I'll try shears first.AitchKay
I can vouch for the Malco conversion shear that attaches to your cordless drill. I've never worked with FC before and I bought the shear from Amazon ($120 IIRC) instead of an FC blade ($40-$60 IIRC) and it worked great. One handed cutting and it'll do curves and detail cuts.Use your jigsaw and replace the blade often for intricate details.The shear worked great!
Cool. And I never would have even considered it if I hadn't seen that video.I don't remember what brand the local lumberyard carries, but there's a roofing and siding supply house not too far away. They have a lot of Malco stuff.AitchKay
Bump.Anybody use a RAS with a 10" fiber cement blade? Were you able to control the dust by hooking up a shop-vac?TPToolpig (a.k.a. The man formerly known as "Toolfreak" and "Toolfanatic")
Not me. No experience there. Sorry.Aitchkay
No, but you just gave me an idea on how to market a POS RA saw!!
i have used a ras and a slider chop saw.they both get the job done with lots of dust.
i didn't do this but what i like about the ras is you could buy some cheap 7 1/4 blades and ruin them. cost maybe 5.00 a pc? i shot a 75. blade on the 12" slider and to tell you the truth could of went thru 2 if i wanted to.
i think your high at 100.00,if you keep your eye out a little i think you could own a couple or three for that price.
i also have a cheapo delta table saw,cost 59.00 i use it to rip hardi and thats it's only purpose. probably has had 1000' linearal feet thru it,still cutting.i'll throw it when it shoots craps and get another. larry
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
Get the shears. The ones that go on your cordless drill. They work great, don't cost much, and you can use it even up on your scaffolding. Now if I can only figure out which of my b*stard friends borrowed them from me, or where the )(@#*) I put them in my shop, I'd be all set!
I bought the shearing tool .... specialized for that job. The cuts aren't as super clean as a saw, but definately doable IMO (I'm no expert, though). It still leaves odd things like holes and some double cuts for other methods (but so does the saw). The tool was well worth the price (like $170).