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If you can have a second person there to remove there to assist and remove the curl as it comes out of the jaws then you can make a nice continous cut. I also could stay on the scribed line very well. I found by holding the shear handle down and making sure the stationary jaws were flat against and parallel to the board, then I could make good clean cuts. This obstructs your view of the jaws and the scribed line. There is a slight learning curve in hloding the shear at the correct angle for the best cuts.
I had no trouble stopping and removing the curle and restarting on the line. This used the back of the movable cutter instead of the tip. I recommend that you take one piece of the cement board and make a few cuts to learn the operation. I am very please with the Makita shear. I found that holding the shear handle up so that the cut was made with the cutter tip, makes for a ragged cut and the shears pulled away from my scribed line.
The only problem to the cut, is the aproximate 1/4 inch of material that is being cut out curls up and foreward.
:-(I suggest you look at all the factors -- good and bad. I have read forum remarks that say the shear cut is not very clean and the saw is used to get a clean cut. Some reviewers complain about saw blades for Hardie board wearing out rapidly. It makes a very clean cut. I certainly like the shears a whole lot better than I do that diamond saw blade which I still use when I need a clean cut."Yes it is noisy and dusty so I use a respirator and hearing protectors when cutting, although if there is a wind blowing, I sometimes don't bother with the respirator.The advantage of the saw is that it is FAST and you can GANG CUT several boards which can really speed up installation.
I have cut 4 boards at a time with no problem.Try a gang cut with the shears. I bought the Dewalt Hardie Plank 7 1/4" circular saw blade for $55 in 2007 and it is still going strong. No sign of wearing out or dulling. Here is the quote:http://www.contractortalk.com/f4/ss110a-shear-fiber-cement-siding-8436/"The shears are quick and easy but they don't give a real clean cut. I have used the same blade on two houses -- that is about 625 boards with multiple cuts on most boards. This is not a review of the shear but is intended to correct erroneous info regarding using a saw to cut Hardie Plank.
The blade still cuts like a champ. They tend to crush the the Hardi a small bit.not terrible and certainly well within what we would expect as building tolerances.
If you do tile work full time or part time this is a must have. No dust no mess. This tool is fantastic for cutting tile board. Cuts 1/4 and 1/2 inch with extreme ease. Can cut in a curve pattern also.
Compared to other brands, it is lighter, more stable because of the flat shoe on the bottom, and more powerful.The reversible cutters make this an extra valuable tool. As always with Makita, the carrying case is well designed and rugged. This fiber cement shear is the best I've used. The polished steel head and dark cutter blades helps to focus your attention on the cutting line, which improves accuracy.
Extreemley satisfied. Smooth, well balanced, clean and powerful are just some of the things that my crew and I have to say about them. But as impressed as I was with the Porter Cable shears I am completley blown away with the Mikita shears. I cant believe that I have dealt with the dust and clean up with the numerous hardi blades that I have been through. I have used the older version of the Porter Cable shears. I took them on loan from a friend to remodel a bathroom and was greatley impressed. One house of hardi backer and full 8 1/4" lap siding and they sill look new and deliver clean cuts.
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