PacTool SS404 SteelHead Fiber Cement Cutting Shears Review
Are These The Best Fiber Cement Cutting Shears on the Market?
4 1/2 Stars out of 5
The PacTool SS404 is known for its quick, safe, and economical operation. The PacTool SS404 is a fiber-cement cutting shear with reversible blades for cutting off cement siding like Hardie plank and the like. It is powered by a 6.5 Amp motor with 0.5 inch spindle gear. For easy operation, the head can swivel around for a complete 360 degrees. The SS404 also features double-ended blades, enough to service up to 20 houses depending on the amount of siding on each. More than the smooth and dependable operation, the SS404 also delivers a clean performance by eliminating airborne dust thus promoting a healthier working environment.
Something To Keep In Mind When Buying the PacTool Fiber Cement Cutting Shears
The PacTool must be used only for fiber-cement products with thickness not exceeding five-sixteenth of an inch (0.3125 inch). The tool must not be used with other materials other than what is specified. In addition, stack cutting is also not advisable since undesirable sliding of materials can damage the shear.
Blade Durability and Design Is Key
The replaceable blades have double-ended design made from solid steel for longer lasting operation. A set of new blades can withstand up to 20,000 feet of cutting fiber-cement materials before showing signs of irreversible wear and tear. This long-lasting duty cycle is twice the length compared to single-ended blades and up to 45 times longer than conventional circular saw blades. With this long-lasting capacity, the SS404 double-ended blades result to an average cost of about three dollars per house of typical size. Now that is some serious savings!
Swapping side knives
Side knives must be swapped as soon as a wear pattern of 50% in width becomes visible. The swapping is done from a left to right fashion and may be used until the patterns of wear and tear meet. This swapping gives a total of four usable blade surfaces. To reiterate, the limit of the set of blades is up to 20,000 feet; but this limit may be extended up to 30,000 feet especially if lighter fiber-cement materials have been cut. To extend the life of the blades, it is also important to keep the center clean by keeping it free from waste material buildup. When replacing blades, the eccentric bearing must also be checked for possible wear and must be replaced when necessary.
Fiber Cement Cutting Shears Safety Tips
The 6.5 Amp motor can potentially cause serious harm to the user. The manufacturer of the PacTool SS404 improves safety features by employing double insulation protective layers. This safety feature is further enhanced with a polarized plug that will fit on a polarized outlet in only one possible way.
It should go without saying, don't use this or any other electrical tool in wet conditions. I've heard guys say "It's not a problem, we have it plugged into a GFCI outlet". Really? Do you really want to trust your life to a $10 outlet? Be smart, cut you siding in the dry.
Features of the PacTool SS404 Fiber Cement Cutting Shears
Here are just a few of the features that Contractors find useful.
- Most powerful hand held shears on the market - Cuts cement-fiber siding quickly and safely
- Dustless work area - Keeps you and your employees safe from harmful silica dust
- 6.5 amp motor- 1/2 spindle gear and 360 degree swivel head - No more trying to cut siding at an awkward angle
- Double ended blades can last up to 20 homes - This cuts your expenses WAY down!
- Precision-machined by computer for consistent cutting and optimal blade angle - Accurate and efficient cutting makes your work look better
What All Comes With The PacTool SS404 SteelHead Fiber Cement Cutting Shears?
The PacTool SS404 package comes with the main unit, which is the SS404 fiber-cement shear. A brand new set of blades is also included to begin operation in no time. This set is recommended for use up to 20,000 feet. Finally, a user manual is included that contains instructions on how to maintain the power tool.
What Are Actual Owners of the PacTool SS404 Are Saying in Their Reviews?
Here's a few excerpts from actual owners from reviews they voluntarily left on Amazon.com.
- "It's cleaner and faster than a circular saw"
- "This company has awesome products"
-"My husband wishes he had gotten this tool a loooong time ago!"
- "An absolute must for Hardie board siding!"
- "This tool makes clean, precise cuts quickly"
- "In a word...AWESOME!"
Where Can I Find The Best Prices on the PacTool SS404 Fiber Cement Cutting Shears?
I've looked at a lot of websites on the Internet to see who had the best prices on the PacTool fiber cement cutting tool, and by far the best I could find was at Amazon.com. The closest other competitor was around $15 higher, and that didn't include shipping. Most others were in the $40 and higher range. But what makes this an even better deal from Amazon is that this tool is eligible for FREE SHIPPING with their Super Saver Shipping! I don't know about you, but I love Free Shipping on my tools!
Click here to read nearly 45 reviews of the PacTool SS404 on Amazon.Com and to get the best price