Hardie backer board
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racecougar
Well-known member
Scoring and snapping is the good, cheap way. Cement cutting blade in a circular saw is the next step up, but it isn't kind to your saw. Then there are saws specifically made for the job like the Rigid R3400...
If you're using a standard utility razor suggest investing in a carbide scoring tool it will hold up a lot longer. They also have 4 tooth backerboard blades for your circular saw but they throw off a ton of fine dust which makes a mess and isn't good for your lungs. Where eye pro and a respirator if you go that route.
Scoring tool:
Blade:
Scoring tool:
Blade:
You’re not really using Hardie backer for siding? Its made for tile substrate.
www.jameshardie.com
Hardie® Backer Board | James Hardie
Hardie® Backer, the most preferred cement backer board by tile installers* — engineered for moisture resistance, superior strength, and lasting tile adhesion. Learn more!
www.jameshardie.com
racecougar
Well-known member
I'd venture a guess that the OP is doing stucco over it.You’re not really using Hardie backer for siding? Its made for tile substrate.
Hardie® Backer Board | James Hardie
Hardie® Backer, the most preferred cement backer board by tile installers* — engineered for moisture resistance, superior strength, and lasting tile adhesion. Learn more!
yatg
Well-known member
I’m using Hardie backer siding to replace the old wood on the gables of my house, I guess I should have been more specificYou’re not really using Hardie backer for siding? Its made for tile substrate.
Hardie® Backer Board | James Hardie
Hardie® Backer, the most preferred cement backer board by tile installers* — engineered for moisture resistance, superior strength, and lasting tile adhesion. Learn more!
lynnbilodeau
Well-known member
Using Hardie plank I would guess. It isn't a "backer". It is siding already primed and ready for paint.
If you are doing a big job, get something like this.
No dust. No scoring. I did have the correct blade for a circular saw on hand just in case there were some weird angle cuts. Barely needed to use it.
You DON'T want to breath much of the dust from using a circular saw or an angle grinder.
If you are doing a big job, get something like this.
That isn't the brand I bought, but something similar. Don't remember the brand name.
No dust. No scoring. I did have the correct blade for a circular saw on hand just in case there were some weird angle cuts. Barely needed to use it.
You DON'T want to breath much of the dust from using a circular saw or an angle grinder.
between the Diablo Hardie blade I put on my old craftsman sliding mitre saw and the “free” DeWalt oscillating tool I got when I bought two new batteries I didn’t use more than one razor blade on my razor knife. I did however use most of the oscillating tool bits that came in the DeWalt kit for the tool. Man they go fast!
Hooked
Well-known member
Wish I'd had one of these 15 years ago when wife and I did hardie siding on a weekender we had. I used my miter saw. ugh
Viper98912
Well-known member
You'll chew through any oscillating bit or jig saw blades instantly; you need ones specifically made for fiber cement (and those will also get chewed up, but slower)
75gmck25
Well-known member
I put a 10" cement board blade in my miter saw and used it to cut all the angles and straight cuts. I also used the cutting tool referenced in the Amazon link above, but found it took some time to understand how to use it. Looks simple, but you can still get some screwed up cuts.
Make sure you use a HEPA mask when cutting if you use a cement board blade in your saw. The dust it creates is a really high cancer risk.
Also check the Hardie site to determine how they want you to handle the middle joints between two horizontal pieces. When I did it they recommended using a piece of flashing (5" wide?) behind the ****-connection, and not using any caulk except at the ends where it met a trim board. Not caulking in the middle is different than what you do with other products.
There is also an alignment tool called a Gecko gauge that makes it really easy to hold the horizontal siding boards while you nail, and make uniform spacing.
Make sure you use a HEPA mask when cutting if you use a cement board blade in your saw. The dust it creates is a really high cancer risk.
Also check the Hardie site to determine how they want you to handle the middle joints between two horizontal pieces. When I did it they recommended using a piece of flashing (5" wide?) behind the ****-connection, and not using any caulk except at the ends where it met a trim board. Not caulking in the middle is different than what you do with other products.
There is also an alignment tool called a Gecko gauge that makes it really easy to hold the horizontal siding boards while you nail, and make uniform spacing.
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endangeredspecies
Well-known member
I need to cut 1 single sheet of 96x48 Hardie Sierra (8” OC) siding down to 43x48.
Don’t have an angle grinder. Don’t want to drop $50 on a cement blade for a single cut, if I can help it.
Would the scoring tool in this thread benefit me?
Should I throw my cheapest all purpose blade into my saw, and throw it out when I’m done?
Would a laminate/aluminum blade work better and survive? Or would I still need to chuck it when done?
Skil Saw or Contractor “table” saw the preferred method?
Don’t have an angle grinder. Don’t want to drop $50 on a cement blade for a single cut, if I can help it.
Would the scoring tool in this thread benefit me?
Should I throw my cheapest all purpose blade into my saw, and throw it out when I’m done?
Would a laminate/aluminum blade work better and survive? Or would I still need to chuck it when done?
Skil Saw or Contractor “table” saw the preferred method?
Codyboy
Well-known member
My BIL has some nibblers he uses for hardie backer.
Looks like a drill with nibbler scissors.
But for a one time thing, just put on a dust mask, stay up wind and cut with a circular saw .
Looks like a drill with nibbler scissors.
But for a one time thing, just put on a dust mask, stay up wind and cut with a circular saw .
endangeredspecies
Well-known member
Just one 48" cut. I saved the Diablo laminate, rip, and cross-cut blades - put on a mask, and used the combo blade that came with the DeWalt DWE741. Made it all the way through, and seemed ready for more. So, very happy. Thanks guys!