SoloSider Siding Tools For 5/16 Fiber Cement Siding And 3/8 LP Smartside, Fully Adjustable Siding Gauges
by SoloSider LLC
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Our Price: $51.20 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of SoloSider Siding Tools For 5/16 Fiber Cement Siding And 3/8 LP Smartside, Fully Adjustable Siding Gauges
Customer Review: The best tool I ever owned **in 40 years **
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a general Contractor and have been licensed in California for almost 40 years.
Over the years I have owned almost every carpentry tool imaginable. I have always been able to improve on the retail version of tools I have purchased until --- I bought these absolutely delightful helpers.
They are perfect examples of how to design an application specific tool. Simple almost indestructible, versatile and extremely easy to use.
The day I received them I took them to one of my job sites and handed them to 2 of my carpenters. They have limited experience running Hardi and were having some problems with the inherent inconsistencies of the product (boards will vary 1/7" in width randomly), very easy to get off line and difficult to adjust reveal by ones self.
I gave my guys a 3 minute tutorial on the use then stepped back and watched. With in 5 minutes they were perfectly comfortable with them. By the end of the 1st day (about 3 hours) there production (boards on the wall) had nearly doubled.!!!
I certify this to be the BEST product for it's intended purpose ever made. Try a set, you'll be glad you did.
On a side note - I have read many reviews here and on ebay, it's easy to spot phony and intentionally misleading "testimonials" ... the truth is try a set for your self.
Regards to all ...
Richard Coke
Ca Lic #320379 (that's right low 6 digits)....
Northern Ca Coast...
Customer Review: A Pleasant Surprise
Summary: 5 Stars
First a little bit about myself. I'm very old-school and I hate change. I am the type of person that gets angry when Hitachi changes the color of their nail guns and I am willing to spend money on good tools so I don't have to buy a replacement down the road.
I was almost certain this tool was going to disappoint me. I mean it's bright green and has plastic parts which seems like a sure recipe for disaster. I figured I'd buy it based on the positive reviews and I could always return it to Amazon if it turned out to be worthless crap.
Now that I've used the SoloSider I have to say that it's one of the best purchases I've made during the past year. I used these gauges to put up several hundred square feet of 6.25" Hardiplank by myself. The design is simple and elegant. It's trivially easy to adjust the reveal to within 1/16 of an inch. Set up time is super fast and the gauges hold the siding very securely while nailing.
In short, this is a great tool. If you are fretting over the decision between this and the Malco gauges I'd strongly suggest you give these a try. I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
Customer Review: All that, and... LESS!
Summary: 2 Stars
I anxiously awaited the arrival of my Solo Siders; yes, this magnificent tool was going to save me a boatload on labor! I must say, it's a dandy invention! I'm sure it works perfectly WITH THE CORRECT MATERIAL. They advertise "you should lap at 1 1/4" because it's code and this wonder will do that AND MORE!: Well, yeah... a 1/2" more! But what if you've got an 8 1/4" piece of material and want a 6" exposure?(as I have on this job) NO WAY, Jose! It won't work. Sure, you can do laps as small as 3.5" AS LONG AS YOU HAVE STOCK SMALLER THAN 5.25"!! I find it odd that they 'conveniently' left out this fact. I'm disappointed... VERY disappointed because of the rave reviews this product received (despite the fact that there must be a total of $1.75's worth of materials--but that's capitalism!). I was looking forward to blazing through my present job. Again, I can see that it would most probably work wonderfully on a panel with 1.25 to 1.75 lap... I'da probably given it 5 stars. But leaving out what I consider a most important fact (since so much of the Hardi board is 8.25") I feel obligated to downgrade their marketing.Customer Review: Lets you DIY like a Pro Contractor
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a 60 year old beach cottage with tongue and groove wood lap siding. I decided to reside the cottage, adding insulation and housewrap to improve energy efficiency and decided to use 8.25" Hardie plank. I can perform almost any DIY task around the home but have never taken on a project of this scope. With 2000 sq ft of siding, insulation, housewrap, all new window and door casings and trim - I was a bit concerned.
These Solosider are the most amazing tool I have ever owned. I cannot imagine hanging siding without them. They make the job almost idiot proof. Allow you to hang every board perfect - any length - any hieght - without the help of a second person. No need for scaffolding. You can also use them to make up for "out of whack" walls - adjusting up and down 1/16th" to make an even width board at last row.
I cant beleive they are not stocked at every Home Depot and Lowes across the country or that James Hardie hasn't bought the company who makes them and sell them with every job of Hardie Plank.
Customer Review: Invaluable tool, could not have done job without them
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished installing 2200 sq ft of James Hardie siding on my house and garage by myself. Is this the perfect tool? Not really; you have to be careful it does not change adjustment if you shift the siding around, you must leave enough slack in the row you are nailing in order to remove the tool easily (don't nail too tight before removing), and remember to calibrate correctly (only adjust downward with Hardie siding or you will expose the nail line). In spite of these drawbacks I shocked my neighbors with the quality of my finished job. This from a person who could never get better than an average grade on a shop project. I am practically incapable of measuring, cutting straight, leveling, or plumbing anything even though I have the knowledge to do so. I am book smart, and mechanically challenged. These tools and the Hitachi jigsaw blades were the best things I bought for the job.