If you are installing or repairing wood and cedar siding, you are going to have to cut some of the siding to fit. What should be used for this process?
The easiest way to cut wood siding is to use a circular saw. The saw should not be set too deep so it doesn’t cut through the siding and the backing. You want to cut most of the way through the siding, leaving a very thin piece that can be cleaned up with a utility knife.
If you are cutting the siding before you are installing it, you can use a wide variety of tools to do so. A circular saw may be used, but you might find that a miter saw is more convenient because it makes cleaner, more accurate cuts.
Other types of saws can also be used for cutting odd shapes, such as an oscillating multi-tool, jigsaw, or even a router. We will discuss those various types of tools in this article.
What Can You Use To Cut Wood/Cedar Siding?
Along with making the proper selection for the tool itself, you also need to choose a blade that will work well. Not only will the blade help you make the cut, it is also going to affect the quality of the edge once the cut has been made.
As a general rule of thumb, when there are more teeth per inch (TPI), you are going to have a smoother cut. There are also other factors that need to be considered, including how quickly the blade cuts through the wood.
You should also ensure that the blade is sharp and change it if necessary. You don’t want the blade to burn the wood, you want to cut cleanly and leave a nice edge that will look good on the home.
Generally speaking, choosing a blade with a TPI between 60 and 80 is going to work well. There may be other factors to consider, and other options, especially if you are using saws such as a jigsaw or if you are using a plunge router.
For now, we will take a look at some of the many different tools that are available to cut wood and cedar siding. We will then take a look at the proper method for cutting the siding on the home.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 08/05/2022.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Circular Saw?
Most people have a circular saw at their disposal. Is it a good choice for cutting wood or cedar siding?
For the most part, you can use a circular saw for cutting wood and cedar siding but you need to use it properly. If you are cutting the siding before it is installed, you can cut it completely through but if you are cutting it while it is installed, you should set the depth of the blade so it doesn’t cut entirely through and finish with a knife.
Many homeowners make the mistake of trying to cut the wood or cedar siding directly on the home and they end up cutting the backing and perhaps even damaging the home in the process. This can be overcome by setting the depth of the blade so you don’t cut completely through the siding.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Miter Saw?
A miter saw is a convenient choice for cutting wood. Can it also be used for wood siding?
Using a miter saw can really cut down on the amount of time that you are spending while cutting wood siding. It cuts it cleanly and you can easily set the angle of the cut, whether it is 90° or any other angle.
The key to using a miter saw properly is to choose the blade that is going to work best. Generally speaking, you would use a blade that is either 60 or 80 TPI so that it cuts the word cleanly but doesn’t leave a rough edge.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Oscillating Multi Tool?
One of the more convenient tools we have at home is our oscillating multi-tool. Is this a good choice for cutting wood siding?
You will find that an oscillating multi-tool is an excellent choice for cutting wood siding. Not only can it make straight cuts, but it can also make curved and unusual-shaped cuts when necessary for cutting around objects. You can also get the multi-tool into a tight location if necessary to cut the wood that is installed.
If you are cutting siding that is installed with a multi-tool, make sure that you use caution. You don’t want to cut through completely and cut the backing in the process.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on August 5, 2022.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 08/05/2022.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Grinder?
If you have a grinder available, can you cut cedar or other wood planks? Is it a good choice for siding?
It is possible to cut through wood or cedar siding with a grinder but it is not the best choice. It will cut just fine but there are some safety issues involved that make it an inappropriate choice for most circumstances.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Utility Knife?
A utility knife is something that most of us have on us when we are doing any type of DIY work around the home. Is it a good choice for cutting through wood and cedar siding?
Some people cut all of their wood siding with a utility knife and it does a really nice job of it. With the knife and a straight edge, you can score the entire length on both sides and snap the siding to size.
A utility knife is also an excellent choice when you have siding installed. You can use a circular saw to cut most of the way through the siding and then finish up with a utility knife.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Router Tool?
Most people think of a router as a tool to shape edges. Is it also a tool that can be used for siding?
Wood siding can easily be cut with a router and it does an excellent job of it. With the proper bit, you can cut the wood in place without going entirely through and cutting the backing. You can also use it for cutting odd shapes in the siding so you can fit it around objects.
When using a router for cutting siding, you can use a template that will allow you to cut straight edges quickly and easily. You might also find that using the tool freehand is an excellent way for cutting those unusual shapes that are sometimes needed.
Can You Cut Wood/Cedar Siding With Jigsaw?
If you have a jigsaw available, can you use it for cutting wood and cedar siding?
Jigsaws are an excellent choice for cutting wood siding because they cut cleanly and can easily cut unusual shapes for fitting siding around objects. You can choose a blade that has the properties for the job and it will cut the siding quickly while at the same time, leaving a nice edge.
Jigsaws are ideal for cutting siding before it is installed. They do not work well for cutting siding that is already installed because the blade doesn’t have the room to work.
This article and its contents are owned by Ready To DIY and was first published on 08/05/2022.
How To Cut Wood/Cedar Siding Properly
Cutting wood siding properly will make a difference in the overall job. We will discuss how to cut it properly when it is already installed.
Preparing the wood for cutting is the most important part of the process. For this, you will have to use shims to pull the wood away from the home and then cut the nails using a hacksaw. After that, you can begin to cut the siding.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on August 5, 2022.
Take the following steps to ensure you are cutting the siding properly:
1. Prepare
The siding must be separated from the piece of siding underneath, and this can be done by hammering shims under the siding. As you do so, you will be pulling the nail away from the home.
The nail should be cut at this point using a hacksaw. If you wait to cut them until later, you will likely have a hard time getting to them as easily.
2. First Cut
The first cut should be made with a circular saw. Set the depth of the saw so that it is slightly less than the thickness of the siding. You don’t want to cut entirely through the siding because you run the risk of damaging the backing. Cut in an upward motion to rip the line where you will be removing the wood.
3. Final Cut
The Final Cut will be done with a utility knife. Make sure that the knife is sharp and if necessary, change the blade frequently. Be cautious that you don’t cut so far through the wood that you are damaging the backing. You just want to cut the wood itself and then it can be removed easily.
The best tool for cutting through wood siding is a circular saw. The depth of the blade should be set slightly less than the thickness of the siding so you aren’t cutting entirely through it. You can then finish the job with a sharp utility knife.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on August 5, 2022.