Cutting vinyl siding with mitre saw

I've tried most methods(tin snips, dremel, skilsaw, scoring w/ utility knife) but I would like to use a Mitre saw this time.

Would a 10" sliding mitre saw be efficient? I tried using a 10" about 3 years ago that wasn't sliding and I couldn't properly complete the cut without flipping the piece around.

 

Black abrasive cutting blades (either masonry or steel) work suprisingly well to cut vinyl. Usually people make a jig that is like a box that allows you to slide the siding into the box and it has a jig on top that allows a skilsaw to make the crosscuts.

Never tried a sliding miter saw. I would guess that the table of the saw would not be wide enough unless you made a table extension jig.

 

Hmm good call, I'll have to measure one at the store. Any tips on building the jig better than my soffit jig I built? :P

 

Dunno? 3/4" plywood base about 13x24... 1x2 front and back... a pair of 1x4's spaced about 2" apart from one another that are laid over the top... and a 1/2" thick cleat on top of each 1x4, spaced just wide enough to allow the saw to slide between them. I've seen some guys use a piece of aluminum or steel angle iron to make a guide for the saw to slide in. (I don't use them personally, I've got a Tapco siding table)

Pretty easy to make... and if you have an angle you can just make another jig that has the right angle on it. Not sure what your jig looked like. Why didn't it and your skilsaw work well?

 

I thought you saw the pictures. Basically I was sliding the pieces through, having my lengths overhand at the edge, and cutting with the saw there and they would just fall on the ground as I cut. Worked alright for my amateur skills, but not the greatest.

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h82/n0c7/DSCN0413.jpg

 

For years I have been cutting Vinyl Siding with only a
standard 8" Skill Saw and a standard plywood blade. The saw was mounted on a track made of 2 aluminum L brackets (about 4' long) The saw was kept on line because it was trapped inside the verticle L bracket The saw blade cut into a plywood base ( barely).

What worked for me was to pull the saw toward me. This way I could see my measurements easier. Additionally, This way I avoided "chipping" at the vinyl. The blade "burned"
the material away ( through the kurf) and I had perfect cuts
everytime.

The reason it was 4' long was that, I used a little imagination and had the track system assembled on a pivot so that I could make mitered cuts .

The point is a sliding mitre saw will work just fine. Just be sure to pull, your saw through the vinyl to avoid chipping, splitting and tearing at the material.

 

I think I'm going to settle for radial mitre saw. It'll accommodate vinyl siding and pieces much larger for the future.

 

I use a 10" sliding compound mitre saw for all vinyl siding and have for years. They work great. I take the 180 tooth blade, and put in in backwards. It cuts siding like butter. There is one thing to remember when cutting vinyl siding with a power saw. You are not really cutting it, you are melting it. If you slide your say too fast you could get some chip outs. Just use common sense. Good Luck I also cut my corners with it also.

 

After looking at your picture, which I could not see before, it looks like pretty wide siding your cutting. The 10" saw will only cut about 12" pieces. The 12" saw will cut about 14".

 

The picture above was for my soffits. This stuff is standard size, I don't remember the exact measurements. I did however bring in a small sample piece and line it up to the demo saw I want and it will clear it no problem. I really need a mitre saw too, might as well buy something that will be multipurpose. I didn't know that it actually melts as opposed to cuts. Thanks for the tips. I gotta get this stuff done ASAP before the snow hits. I started this makeover in July before I had to go on holidays, then waiting for new replacement fascia, and now waiting for replacement siding which finally just showed up. Damn busy market these days.

 

I thought it was soffit but I have seen people literally put soffit on their houses, especially vinyl soffit. I have contacted both DeWalt and Mikita to make a 14" mitre saw or even a 16" saw. It would be able to cut 16" soffit. DeWalt does have a 12" chop saw but not in sliding compound version. I have 2 saws. The 10" mikita, 7 years old and the Dewalt 12". They are both terrific saws. I use them daily. I cannot believe they have not worn out yet.
Yes, the snow flies early in your country. I am waiting for the geese to leave you and come down here. Have a good day.

 

I have a 12'' Dewalt sliding compound mitre saw (DW718). I am not clear on the type of blade to use for cutting vinyl siding... It makes a lot of sense to me to use the 180 tooth blade for a 10'' saw and a similar for a 12''. Other say a standard plywood blade works well and so does a masonry claim others. Also, why put the blade backwards on a sliding saw and not just reverse the action (pulling insted of pushing). I have the 32, 60 and 80 teeth blades. Will the 80 do?

 

Personally, I would never pull a saw toward me. I would always push it away so if there are chips, they are going away from me and not at me. It is a big safety thing. OSHA says so also. I guess you can use whatever tooth blade you wish. The less teeth, the more chips. I guess its just my own thing. Safety and product protection. have a good day.

 

I agree that safety is paramount. I will try the 80 tooth blade as soon as the siding arrives and if it chews too much I will invest in the 180 tooth blade. Many thanks and have a great day

 

Let me know what blade works well too as I will be picking up the compound mitre shortly. My replacement siding arrived, should be working on it next week.

 

Picked up a store brand 10" compound sliding mitre for $250 CDN and I love it so far. The laser is accurate, helps alot, also has clamp that can be used on both sides, and with the slide it will easily cut the height of my siding and much more in the future. I just have to get a good blade as it came with a ripping blade which destroys the vinyl. Should save me alot of time not building a jig as I'm amateur.