PacTool International SS424 Backerboard Shear

I bought this tool after starting a bathroom remodeling project in which I removed old sheetrock and tile and installed concrete backer board. Man oh man I really wish I would have known about this tool before I started cutting my Hardie Backer...I started off using the score and snap method to break my Hardie Backer board, but as one other reviewer said the score and snap method is only for bigger pieces of board; once you start having to measure and cut smaller pieces of concrete board then scoring and snapping just doesn't work unless you possess the strength of three Lou Ferrignos. Further, scoring and snapping leaves sort of a rough, jagged edge that doesn't lend itself well to clean corners. So, after searching for a better way to cut backer board, I bought the SS424. This tool absolutely makes easy work of cutting backer board; I used it to cut half-inch thick board and it worked beautifully. As others have said, it does take practice to learn how to cut along a straight line, but once you get good with it you will never want to use anything else. Some people will say to use a table saw with a special concrete fiber cutting blade, but that way of cutting board creates SO much dust; the SS424 creates almost no dust thus lowering your silica exposure risk. Also, once again as others have said, a little backer board will curl up between the cutting blades and this can get in the way of following your cutting line, but after a few cuts you sort of learn to deal with it. If you have tried scoring and snapping do yourself a favor and buy this tool. I'm pretty sure that if they made backer board back in the 14th century then Dante would have listed scoring and snapping this stuff all day as the tenth circle of Hell. I like this tool so much that I considered buying a second one just so I can sleep next to it at night. Thanks, I hope this review helped someone.

Great tool but nowhere does it state its a two pin plug you receive so if you were expecting to use it straight away using a 3 pin 240v appliance plug you would be very disappointed. Of little use in the UK originates from the USA.

I'm a bathroom remodeling contractor and install only Hardibacker. I used to use a rotozip and right angle grinder with a diamond blade to do more intricate cuts in hardibacker. The score and snap method only works when you're cutting off a big enough piece. I finally decided to lay out the dough and buy this for a large bathroom remodel and I can't believe I waited so long to buy it. This thing cuts hardibacker so easy. What's really nice about it is that if you're trimming off a small section, after you cut the hardi, you still have a usable piece left. You don't destroy hardi by the score and snap method on small pieces. In addition to cutting my installation time in half, it also saves me money by leaving me perfect leftovers. And all this without a load of dust. One reviewer mentioned that the cord may get caught in the kerf. It happened to me a few times but if you're careful, it's not a problem. The only thing is that if you're doing a long cut, the curled up hardi debris kinda blocks the view of your cutting line. So you have to stop cutting and push the curled up debris out of the way. But that's not the fault of this cutter really. I'd give this more stars if I could!

I made a video review of this product on youtube and I am impressed with the performance. As a pro remodeler doing a lot of baths I'm using this tool to cut Hardibacker cement board. With correct technique, the tool works flawlessly. I still use a jigsaw for tight circles, but the shear works great for straight or slightly curved lines. It's quiet and creates minimal dust. The drill portion of the shear is nothing special, but it has enough power and seems sturdy enough to last. The power cord strain relief can sometimes lodge itself in the cut as you go, but it's not the end of the world. I do wish they provided more than just a cardboard box to hold the tool. Even a cheap bag would be welcome, especially considering the price of the tool. If you're a pro, it's worth owning. If you're a homeowner with a single project you might be better sticking with a jigsaw and coarse wood blades or else renting this tool.

Best tool I ever used for cutting hardie boards No dust and straight crisp edges