Well I made my trip to the big city over the weekend to get my house it's Christmas presents- building supplies.Contractors warehouse in Lexington going out of business and has a percentage off on all things. For those in KY ,you might want to check it out.

Got some cabinets and some new siding board.Had a good load on the S10, to drive home two hours with, but nothing new there. Now that's what I call a shopping trip.

Have a question though.I got this new cementacious 4x8 siding board with grooves like T1-11, but is supposed to be very durable and termite resistant,very impt here in humid buggy south. Handipanel it's called I think.We are putting it on the polebuilding porch to enclose a 18x12 section of it for my workroom/store room/toolshed.I need that space badly!! Too much of my nature crafts stuff piled everywhere.Also the wood heater is scheduled to go there so it can do double duty and be used without being in living space, aggravating my bad athsma.

But It was late and I wanted to get loaded and get home, so I forgot to ask about installation. We figure we need a concrete blade for the circular saw and will need to drill holes, but with a concrete drill bit.Anyone familiar with this product? Are we correct or is the composition such that a carbide tip blade will do the trick? Appreciate the help.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 05, 2000

Answers

Sharon, we took advantage of Contractor's warehouse going out of business sale too. Got some fantastic buys and we stocked up on nails, they were only 15 cents a #!!! Things like this get me excited, I love a bargain!

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), December 05, 2000.

Sharon, you might try a metal cutting blade on your circular saw , they are generally cheaper, and the concrete drill bits should work just fine. I don't think the carbide tip blade will do the job very quickly at all, and you will probably ruin the blade as well. However, if you have an old one to try it with, that wouldn't cost you anything additionally, good luck! Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), December 05, 2000.

Sharon: I can't remember the answer to your question, but the manufacturer, James Hardy Products, is available by phone, and they are very nice to talk to. I think I just called 800 information and got their #. Pretty sure you can use standard woodworking tools, but wouldn't want you to ruin anything.

-- Teresa in TN (otgonz@bellsouth.net), December 06, 2000.

sharon- go to the "Fine Homebuilding" magazine website and enter their discussions page. This product has been discussed many time there and if you search thier archives you will find much valuable info. Don't be afraid to post a new question either. They are a very helpful group.

-- ray s. (mmoetc@yahoo.com), December 06, 2000.

Well thanks a bunch to you all for your suggestions.You've been a big help, as usual.

bwilliams-Yes,bargains are great,and building supply bargains are just the best!Glad you got some goodies there,too.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 06, 2000.

I got the information and the website & 800 number off the fine building site.You do use masonary tools for the material, and galvanized nails, but not counter sunk.

The product is also fireproof,which I didn't know.50 yr warrenty.Good reports on it, especially the planks, except for the cutting part. Recommended over alot of other siding products according to the contributors on this site.Very interesting.

You can use a carbide tip blade but you go thru alot of them acording to reports. There is a diamond blade available,as well, that is reportedly good to use.I'll have to check out price and availibility.

Thought you might want to know what I found out.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 07, 2000.

I purchased some of this product about 7 years ago and have used it for skirting on my mobile home. It works great, I put pressure treated 2"x4" under it to keep it from direct contact with the soil. I cut it using a "cheap" plywood blade in by 7" saw mounted backwards like you would to cut tin roofing. It worked very well, I used a bungh of regular drills to predrill it, they dull fast but purchased in quantity at a building supply house, cost only about 30 cents each. Remember to use a mask when you cut it, it makes a lot of dust.

-- Paul Marohn (pmcm@pcom.net), December 10, 2000.