Both the FCC7 and FCC4 use a long-life nickel-plated blade designed for extended jobsite use. Under normal cutting conditions, the blade is rated for approximately 12,000 cuts (around 8,000 linear feet) on 8.25″ fiber cement siding planks.

Sharpening is not recommended. When cutting performance declines, the blade should be replaced to maintain clean, accurate cuts and minimize chipping.

Both the FCC7 and FCC4 are designed to cut 5/16″ (8 mm) fiber cement siding cleanly with minimal airborne dust. However, they are built for different applications.

The FCC4 is designed specifically for making straight, square cuts in fiber cement planks up to 8-1/4″ (210 mm) wide. It is ideal for installers who primarily work with standard 8″ lap siding and need consistent, clean cuts without distortion or compression. The large support plate and board stop help ensure accurate straight cuts.

The FCC7 offers expanded capability. It cuts fiber cement planks up to 12″ (305 mm) wide and allows both straight and angle cuts. This makes it better suited for gable ends, roof pitch cuts, and projects requiring custom angles in addition to standard straight cuts.

Yes. Fiber cement guillotine shears cut the material using a mechanical shearing action rather than grinding through it with a circular saw blade. Because there is no high-speed abrasive cutting, significantly less airborne dust is generated during the cutting process.

Fiber cement contains crystalline silica, and respirable silica dust is known to cause serious health risks. While guillotine-style cutters greatly reduce airborne dust compared to traditional saw cutting methods, contractors should still follow OSHA-compliant safety practices and use appropriate personal protective equipment when working with fiber cement siding.

Guillotine shears are often preferred on jobsites where reducing dust exposure, cleanup time, and airborne debris is a priority.

The FCC4 is designed to cut fiber cement siding up to 8-1/4″ (210 mm) wide and 5/16″ (8 mm) thick, which covers the most common 8″ lap siding profiles used in residential construction.

This makes it an excellent choice for production-style siding installs where consistent, square cuts are needed across large quantities of planks. If you routinely work with wider siding or architectural panels over 8″, the FCC7 may be a better fit.

No. The FCC4 is engineered specifically for straight, 90-degree cuts. It features a large support plate and integrated board stop to ensure clean, square cuts every time.

If your projects require gable-end cuts, roof pitch angles (such as 6/12 or 8/12), or custom trim angles, the FCC7 model is designed to handle those applications.

The FCC4 is ideal when straight production cuts are your primary need.