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Hardie saw blade recommendations

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Daniel Dudley

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Joined
Sep 4, 2009
Messages
3,546
I use a chopper to make end cuts. It cuts down on the amount of dust on a job by a huge amount.
 

wnstwolf

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Joined
Nov 7, 2007
Messages
837
Location
New York and PA
Ziggs,

Did my entire house a few years back and aside from getting the proper “cutter tool” suggested I took the low road and found that a paneling cutter worked best. A rip blade worked but sometimes left a tear or two. Like mentioned using any type of power blade will create dust, lots of dust. Do not do it in the garage!! Tried this on very cold days and what a mess!!

Keep a 4” grinder with a cement blade handy.. It was key to any detail work.
 

38Chevy454

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Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
4,036
Location
Cincinnati, OH
I just used a cheap carbide blade when I built a shed about 12 years ago. I used the 4x8 panels, so I had some longer cuts. It does make a mess with dust, and the blade was wasted when I was through, although I did not make that many cuts.
 

Jackfre

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Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
4,411
Location
N CA
I used the Hardi blade. I also used the Artisan Plank siding which in not the clapboard but a full dimension 1/2" thickness. The blade was excellent. For the record, so was the siding. It is T&G on the ends and laus out very well.
 

csp

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Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
5,719
Location
Franktown, CO
Any diamond blade is going to give you the most cuts out of a single blade.

The guillotine is the right tool for the job, however.
 
OP
Z

Ziggs280

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Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
38
Location
Northeast Florida
Thanks a bunch guys. I am getting ready to start siding my garage. I have 6" soffits on the side and 8-1/4" on the gables. Do you think I could just use some of the lap siding 7-1/4 ripped for the sides and a 8-1/4 lap for the front in back? I would have to cut vents in the soffit on the sides though. I know hardie doesn't recommend lap siding used horizontally but I have good support 16 oc. Any idea?
 

Falcon67

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Joined
Jun 11, 2009
Messages
18,371
Location
Merkel, TX
BTDT - I used bulk packs of cheap carbide blades from Lowes in a circular saw. Now sure about your "10" blade" deal - I would not be running Hardi across a table saw. IIRC, Hardi lap siding has to rest on OSB and can't be used across even 16" OC studs without backing. That stuff is thin and will wave like crazy. It's also fragile as all get-out. Your soffit can be ripped from 4x8 soffit material to save $, but it'll eat the hell out of saw blades and make serious clouds of concrete dust. Wear ear, eye and breathing protection if you decide to rib with a power saw. If I had a do-over, I would NOT use Hardi for the soffits, I would use LP. Don't think you're going to drill nice 3" holes or trim out some vent holes with a saber saw in HardiSoffit. The stores don't stock enough bi-metal 3" hole saws to get you through the project. I did 10 3x12" holes for vents with a saber saw - used 10 high quality blades.
 
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jimindm

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Joined
Oct 29, 2011
Messages
2,398
Location
Des Moines, Iowa
By a cheap saw, and get the hardie plank blade. May have to go to a tool store for contractors to get it. It will produce a ton a dust and that dust will get inside of the saw. Ruining it.

Hardie plank does come as soffit material. Already has the holes for venting. No need of cutting in some.

We have installed it on our home. I never really found a great way for cutting in outlets, vents or stuff like that. About the best thing I used was a rotozip with a tile bit. They may even have a hardie plank bit now.
 
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Fcvapor05

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Joined
May 4, 2014
Messages
1,079
By a cheap saw, and get the hardie plank blade. May have to go to a tool store for contractors to get it. It will produce a ton a dust and that dust will get inside of the saw. Ruining it.

Hardie plank does come as soffit material. Already has the holes for venting. No need of cutting in some.

We have installed it on our home. I never really found a great way for cutting in outlets, vents or stuff like that. About the best thing I used was a rotozip with a tile bit. They may even have a hardie plank bit now.

Wow, didn't know that. 'scuse me while I go tear apart my saw and clean it out.
 

jlckmj

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Joined
Dec 7, 2009
Messages
732
Location
SE Wiscosin
I tried the diamond blades and they make a mess. I bought the siding shear like borgdog mentioned and it made the job much easier.

Jim
 

fourjeepin

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Joined
Feb 12, 2011
Messages
3,660
Location
Atlanta, GA
I used a masonry blade in my metal cutting chop saw for my carport to garage conversion. Worked great, but a mask is NOT optional. Be sure to pickup a set of Geckos. Using these, I was able to do all the siding myself and only got help with a few boards. Usually the ones that were full length and had to be notched heavily.
 
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Ziggs280

Active member
Joined
May 18, 2014
Messages
38
Location
Northeast Florida
Well I ended up using a 7-1/2" diamond in my circular saw. A buddy of mine finishes granite and it was a blade they use. It cut great, did my entire garage and also cut a relief joint in my slab with the same blade. It was a mess and I did cut it outside and with a breeze.
 
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