PacToolSS204 Snapper Shear - Power Cutter for Fiber Cement Siding - Professional Power Tools

Like most of the reviews, I've found this tool to be indispensable to working with Hardi-Plank.It makes smooth cuts with absolutely no dust provided finished side is down (that is at the bottom of the scissors), and with the help of a 6" speedi-square and a little practice you can make perfectly square cuts. The only thing needed is a little "rasping" of the cut edge to remove some of the remaining loose fibers. I just use a small piece of Hardi-Plank for that.The little curlicues of cut material make a mess but the small bits broken bits get eaten by the grass. I raked most of them up but the smaller bits disappeared into the grass in a couple of weeks.Cutting "notches" in the planks is difficult if not impossible to do neatly with this tool. For that I still use a 4.5" grinder with a diamond wheel. A little dust but nothing like you would get by making every cut on a siding job using a diamond wheel. I just hold my breath for a bit and I'm old anyway... I also still rely on the old skillsaw/diamond blade for trim boards.So back to the tool:Pros: Runs very smooth, variable speed trigger very linear. Powerful, well made - quality and performance you might expect from something like a Bosch power tool. Blades can be removed and turned around and changed side/side, the combinations giving 4 new sets of cutting edges before needing replacement. I've done the entire 3,000 sq ft house with no more wear than a little polishing action on the existing cutting surfaces.Con (only one): Like other reviewers I've found the cord placement at the bottom of the trigger handle troublesome when making long ripping cuts. I have a set of sheetmetal shears of similar design and the cutter head rotates to different positions on the drill motor which eliminates this problem - and these are from Harbor Freight and cost less than $50! C'mon PacTool!

The PacTool SS404 Contractor Grade Snapper Shear has been a lifesaver for my home renovation project, especially when tackling large 4x10 sheets of fiber cement siding. Knowing the dangers of silica dust from traditional cutting methods, this tool is a safe and efficient alternative that has made the process smooth and hassle-free.A few tips from my experience:Mind your cut line – The shear removes about 1/4 inch of material during the cut. Keep this in mind to avoid cutting sheets shorter than intended. Align the cut line to the left or right of the guide, not directly in the center.Manage the excess material – The waste curls up as you cut, so periodically clear it to maintain visibility and precision.Watch your cord – The tool's angle tends to catch the power cord on the fresh cut edge, which can cause frustration. Use your free hand to guide the cord away and ensure smooth progress.Overall, this tool is a must-have for professionals and serious DIYers handling fiber cement siding. It’s reliable, effective, and worth every penny.Highly recommend!

This tool helped me completely hardiplank my barn (20 ft high at the peak, 42 ft. deep, 60 ft. wide), to the extent that I actually enjoyed it! I did 90% by myself. I started with a circular saw which was way too dusty, and some family help. I ended with a PacTool 404 and a Gecko. The 404 cuts every bit as fast and NO dust. I hesitated to spend the money, but it was so very much worth it. I added the Gecko PacTool International SA903 2-Piece Gecko Gauge Hardi Board Siding Gauges for a one person installation. At the higher elevations, I did have a scaffolding work station so that my cuts were made in the air without having to climb up/down for each plank. The SS404 is lighter than a circular saw and so much easier to guide along the pencil cut line since there was no dust to block the view. The little slivers from the cut do tend to get in the way, but it was easy enough to remove them with one hand while cutting with the other and could be done safely away from the cutting edge. It cuts 1/4 inch from the line drawn, so it worked out well trying to leave the recommended 1/4 inch gap between the butted edges. I also made the cuts above and below my windows by cutting the vertical lines first, then diagonally to the horizontal line turning it like you would a jigsaw to one edge, and then backcutting to the other edge. I say: Buy this tool, buy the Gecko, and go have a good time while working at your own pace.