Hardi backer love it, hate it, why?

[peckers]

Do you like using hardi backer? yes/no give your reasons why you like it or dont here.
What has prompted me to ask this question is!

I have never been a fond lover of this product as compared to alternative products it is heavier awkward to cut and because of these reasons I havent used it much.

Well turned up on site and the customer has supplied everything including the hardi backer and theres a huge pile of the stuff!

So ive been fitting the 12mm board to stud walls and cutting the board with the scribe as provided by scoring one side and then the other and finally snapping works but it takes too long and is a chore to do! then when you have shapes etc to cut out the scribe is no good for this!
so i tried my jigsaw on the board. first was a wood blade got about halfway threw a board and it had burnt it out
then i tried a tile blade this is soo slow
so i resorted to my grinder and diamond wheel much quicker. dont know how long the blade will last though:incazzato:

Drilling holes for l.e.d. lights etc first used my wood hole set 4 holes and bits are useless. resorted to my 365 diamond bits and they work a treat.

then to screwing them to the studwork. well the screw wont pull in flush to the face of the board no matter how much effort or weight you put behind them:incazzato:
so i decided to use my countersink on them! Guess what it ruined this too:incazzato:
So in the end i used a masonry bit to countersink them this works a treat
IMO this board is hard work and slower then say marmox or wedi to install.

How do you find it using hardi?
what tools do you use on it for different cutting drilling etc?
Do you like it or hate it?

What alternative backer boards do you use and why?

 

[DHTiling]

I use it all the time for timber floors and i use my grinder to cut it..

Love it..


P.s. Added a poll for you.

 

[mikethetile]

I like it but agree with all the comments, its not the easiest material to work with

 

[pete f]

I use it all the time peckers there is no better alternative imo cut it with angle grinder but make sure you have a good mask on the dust off this stuff is not good

 

[Dan]

Only used it a couple of times, but both times it's been the only product for the job really. Don't know why one wouldn't love it.

 

[jay]

use it a lot love it no alternative:8:

 

[united]

I have not used it, I have only used NMP and Aquapanel

 

[buddha1964]

Ha ha! I love the stuff :whistling:

 

[Ken Bruty]

Use it all the time, I use a stanley knife to score and snap - very easy! I also use an electric drill to drive the screws in flush with the surface, most cordless drills aren't man enough.

 

[Scott]

I use an impact driver for the screws. Have tried various method of cutting but not using a grinder. I did have limited success with a reciprocating saw but only worked on the short side as the blade overheats on the long side and then blunts.

I prefer it to aquapanel as that just as bad to cut and is way too brittle

I havent voted as i like it for what it does but dont love it or hate it

 

[Time's Ran Out]

For the price I think its the dogs danglies.
Grinder to cut and always wear a mask.
In a few years there is going to be an asbestos alert when this product is mistaken for the deadly foe!

 

[heavytrevy]

why dont u use the proper cutter for the board ? it only been around for 30 odd years lol

Spear & Jackson Fibro Cement Cutter. #SJ-FCC

for the smaller cuts use the 4 inch grinder.

Trev

 

[Rob Z]

Trev, I've used an electric shears cutter that goes through the hardi like a hot knife through butter. Very nice, and I don't remember the price (but worth it to avoid the dust).

 

[Rob Z]

I use an impact driver for the screws. Have tried various method of cutting but not using a grinder. I did have limited success with a reciprocating saw but only worked on the short side as the blade overheats on the long side and then blunts.

I prefer it to aquapanel as that just as bad to cut and is way too brittle

I havent voted as i like it for what it does but dont love it or hate it

Scott, the Hardibacker brand screws that they sell here are sweet. They cut right into the HBB and countersink easily. An impact driver helps too. Just two years ago I was saying "no way will I get an impact driver". Now we have four of them.

 

[heavytrevy]

Sounds good, no dust with the cutter i linked either
Could u throw up a link for the shears u talk of?
might shop for a simular tool in Oz .

Trev, I've used an electric shears cutter that goes through the hardi like a hot knife through butter. Very nice, and I don't remember the price (but worth it to avoid the dust).