DIY woodwork is a great creativity booster, but is it worth it? Yes, it is! You can save a fortune while decorating your place according to your taste. It can be a pretty rewarding hobby based on the amount of work you can get done with low-scale equipment only. All you need is a chainsaw, clamps, hammer, and a siding tool, and you’re all good to reframe your front door.
The siding tool is perhaps the most neglected tool among beginners when it is as important as nails. This low-cost tool can provide many benefits rather than detaching an old wooden frame. Besides, it is a pretty cool addition to your woodwork tool collection. So get your woodcraft game all high and strong with the top-rated siding tools of 2023 and knock those frames off their place.
Siding tools can be confusing for any beginner or non-professional, which can lead to the wrong purchase. Save yourself from such a scenario by reading this buying guide to catch up.
Siding tools are a set of tools that are used to install or remove sidings. Depending on the needs or siding condition, there are a few types of sidings that you can choose from. Look below to check them out.
A zip lock tool is the easiest way to remove mild sidings with no labor force. This tool has a sturdy metal bar and a hook at the end that enables to pull the sidings from its attachment. You can notice a slight bending in the tool that helps apply force to pop the siding off the structure in one go.
The snap lock punch tool is mandatory while installing siding on a low scale. This tool helps you to secure the siding conveniently alongside skirting. You can use it to punch tabs in the siding panel, which is then attached to the other planks in an upward motion.
A siding gauge is a tool used as an extra pair of hands to hold heavy siding like fiber cement. It places the siding on each other while measuring their centers and exact locations. The sidings are overlapped on the gauge hooks to increase the work pace and quality.
A siding cutter is an advanced alternative to the utility knife or saw cutter. It measures the siding planks using a standard zero to 45 degrees measurement angle while the aluminum frame cuts through the plank. This tool helps make siding from scratch without creating much mess.
If you want to get your hands on quality siding tools, look for the following factors in the siding tool.
The most reliable and durable siding tools are usually made of metal. This is because metal is sturdy and has a built-in force that saves you from putting much effort into the tool. If you’re using hand tools, make sure the handles are made of vinyl plastic as it offers a non-slip grip. For heavy-duty siding tools, go for aluminum coating than steel as it is UV coated and easier to work with.
Not all siding tools are ideal for the task you have to perform, so it is necessary to think before buying. You can use one tool for several siding purposes, but the one useless tool cannot be used for anything. Instead of choosing heavy-duty or high-profile tools, it is better to go with your siding situation.
The price factor varies from tool to tool. Handy siding tools like the zip lock tool or snap lock punch can cost anything between $10-$20. But hand tools like siding gauge can cost more as they serve an advanced purpose. You can expect a maximum of $75 for a reliable siding gauge. Heavy-duty siding equipment costs hundreds, but the maximum figure is $300.
Knife and pliers are the most common alternatives for most siding tools, which is wrong. Below are a few benefits of siding tools over such objects.
Most people who don’t have the proper siding tools go for sharp objects that can cause damage with minor carelessness or mishandling. Tools like zip lock tools offer longer handles, better grip, and more space for convenient and safe usage. They are also suitable for the task and require less effort than any flimsy kitchen tool.
Siding tools can come in handy not only in siding but also when performing other projects. You can always use a siding cutter to cut wood planks or a siding gauge to accurately measure adjacent planks. Such tools can be used in many other ways than just what they are assigned.
Regardless of the size or use of a siding tool, it needs maintenance, or its lifespan will be reduced. Below are a few techniques to maintain siding tools of all kinds.
Lubrication is the ideal way to keep heavy siding tools greasy and moving. Since heavy-duty siding tools like the siding cutter can get rusted, it is recommended to keep oiling the moving parts like the fence now and then. WD-40 is the commonly used solution to keep such tools running.
Throwing and forgetting the siding tools after using them can decrease their lifespan. To keep them in usable condition, clean them after usage, or if they are used regularly, it is recommended to inspect them. Check the siding tools for any signs of debris or grease and wipe them off to prevent any unwanted substance on your tools the next time you use them.
Heavy-duty siding tools are not hard to store, but the handy tools are. They are easy to misplace or get dirty, so store them in a proper toolbox. Ensure these storage boxes and tools are kept somewhere with minimal moisture or temperature changes, as these two factors negatively affect the quality of tools.
If you’re looking for a siding tool that’s a bit more upscale, the Norske Siding Tool is a must-have. The product has an aluminum body, while the 13-inch long blade is constructed from high-quality steel, which makes it even more durable than some other handy tool. It has a miter angle used to cut the siding, board, or flooring precisely because of the measurement scale.
You can adjust this measurement scale from the point of zero to 45 degrees, which is more than enough for a compact siding tool. The tool offers fine cuts and professional siding, thanks to its high leverage, which handles minimum input and maximum output. You can even use the sharp siding blade to precisely turn your normal floor into a floating wood tile.
Siding tools can be expensive, but the Malco Siding Tool helps install siding at affordable rates. It is a single punching tool that creates installation tabs in the siding panel. The product has a punching pliers kind of design constructed from high-quality metal. This siding tool has vinyl handles that offer a soft, rubbery, and non-slip grip.
You can use the wide rectangular tab projections to punch holes for securing vinyl siding. It is also compatible with aluminum or polymer siding. The ergonomic design offers a one-hand operation and is super easy to use, perfect for beginners. It is a better alternative to most high-end siding tools because it requires no electricity or manual guide, makes no noise, and functions well as an alternate DIY tool.
Siding tools can be pretty useful, so it’s better to go for a durable option like the Marshalltown Siding Tool. This product has a sturdy metal body that makes it suitable for high-profile siding cases and professional usage. Most of the interior is metal and steel, but the aluminum coating makes it durable. The 13-inch wide blade makes siding faster and simpler. This tool has a built-in miter with standard angles ranging between zero to 45 degrees and a maximum measurement angle of 95 degrees.
It is easy to use after you have precise measurements on hand. Using the aluminum fence, you can smoothly cut sidings, flooring, and even hardwood. The best part about this muscular siding tool is that it is noiseless and completely manual, requiring no electricity or external power source.
A: Vinyl siding is pretty easy to remove using a siding tool like a zip siding blade. You would have to put a little effort while removing the siding as it is fixed. All you need to do is unzip each plank of siding from the top and pull or detach it from the other. Work from the top to bottom as it is the only way with siding.
A: Wood siding is barely impossible to remove with no professional help. You can remove most of the siding, including aluminum and metal siding; however, they are extremely demanding. If you're not well-skilled, you can harm yourself using a siding tool against something as hard as metal.
A: From a DIYer's perspective, heavy-duty siding tools can do the job as they are more valuable than handy ones. Reusing them in DIY projects can help you make the most value out of the tool. As someone with a one-time usage, handy tools can also do the job considering the types of siding, and they will cost comparatively less in your pocket.
A: Siding tools can remove and install sidings. Tools like snap lock punch can be installed, while the siding blade can help you detach it. Heavy-duty siding tools can help you accurately measure and cut out sidings from scratch, but installing them would require additional tools and supplies.
