DeWalt 20V MAX 5/8" Fiber Cement Shears (Bare)

Why I reached for shears on fiber‑cement jobs

Cutting fiber cement is a dust and edge-quality headache with a circular saw, even with a dedicated blade and vacuum. On exterior siding days and panel installs, I’ve been shifting more of those cuts to shears to keep silica dust down and reduce cleanup. After a few projects with the DeWalt fiber cement shears, I’m convinced this style of tool belongs in the kit for anyone who spends real time with James Hardie–type materials or thicker cement panels. It’s not a catch‑all, but it fills a big gap between score‑and‑snap and a saw.

Setup and first impressions

The shears are sold as a bare tool, so I paired them with the 20V MAX packs I already use. At 4.4 lbs bare, they’re surprisingly light for the category; with a mid‑capacity battery, the total weight is still very manageable. The grip is familiar if you’re used to the brand’s 20V line—roomy, with a consistent trigger feel—and the tool balances well enough that I wasn’t fighting the nose during longer panel cuts.

There’s an onboard LED that stays on for about 20 seconds after you release the trigger. That sounds like a throwaway spec, but it’s been useful under eaves and in overcast interiors when I’m checking my line right after easing off the trigger.

Cutting performance

The variable‑speed trigger makes a tangible difference. I like to start cuts slowly to avoid chipping at the edge, then ramp up as the tool settles into the material. On lap siding and 1/2‑inch panel stock, the shears moved along at a steady, controllable pace without bogging down. The action creates a narrow curl of waste that peels out of the cut, and as long as I kept the tool aligned with the line, the kerf remained consistent.

These shears are rated to cut up to 5/8‑inch fiber cement board. In practice, the sweet spot is the more common 5/16‑ to 1/2‑inch material—where the cut feels smooth and the feed rate stays comfortable. Pushing into the thickest panels is doable if you’re patient, but it’s not the place to rush. For lap siding, it’s absolutely in its element.

Noise and vibration are both far lower than a circular saw, and the motor tone is more of a mechanical clatter than a scream. That matters when you’re doing dozens of cuts in a day.

Dust and safety

The defining advantage of shears over a saw here is dust. The cutting action produces minimal airborne dust; nearly everything ends up as that single continuous ribbon. It’s a big win for cleanup and a bigger win for health when you’re working in occupied spaces. I still wear a mask when cutting fiber cement, but I’m not chasing clouds of silica around the job or dragging a vac hose across the site. For remodels and interior cuts on cement backer board, the difference is night and day.

Cut quality and accuracy

The edge off the shears is clean enough to paint, and I had no issues with surface spalling when I eased into cuts. As with any shear, you’re removing a strip of material, so you need to account for kerf. I mark my line, then keep the center of the shear’s nose on that line and let the curl fall away. The tool tracks straight with a light guiding hand. I’ve had good results riding a square or a straightedge for long rips on panels; the nose rides cleanly if you don’t force it.

Shears compress a tiny amount at the cut, leaving an edge that’s slightly softer than a sawn edge. That’s actually helpful on exterior siding where you’re painting; the finish covers it nicely, and there’s no abrasive dust glazing the cut.

Curves, notches, and real‑world tasks

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this tool is how easy it makes notches and gentle curves. For outlet penetrations in backer board, I drill a starter hole, drop the nose in, and steer to my layout. The minimum radius isn’t tight like a jigsaw, but it’s plenty for sweeping cuts and arcs around fixtures. For window and door notches in siding, I prefer the shears to a saw—it’s quick, controlled, and the edges don’t chip.

Tight inside corners are still a two‑step process: drill a hole, cut to the edge, and finish the last bit with hand snips or a rasp if you need a razor‑sharp corner. That’s typical of the category, not a knock against this specific model.

Ergonomics and visibility

The line of sight is decent. The LED helps in dim conditions, and the cut path is easy to track once you get used to where the nose rides relative to your layout. The variable‑speed trigger is smooth enough to feather the feed on delicate edges, and the tool doesn’t torque wildly when the blades engage, so accuracy doesn’t feel like a fight.

I did find that keeping the waste curl clear makes a difference on longer cuts; if the ribbon tangles under the tool, it can nudge you off line. It’s simple enough to let it fall off the workbench or cut on sawhorses with a clear drop zone.

Capacity limits and trade‑offs

Every cutting method for fiber cement is a trade‑off. Compared to a saw with a polycrystalline diamond blade:

• Shears are slower on long rips, but the dust reduction and cleanup savings are significant.
• Edge quality is cleaner and less prone to chip‑out, though the kerf and slight compression are inherent to the method.
• You can’t do extremely tight curves; think gentle arcs and practical notches rather than scrollwork.

These shears will handle up to 5/8‑inch board, but if you’re frequently cutting the densest, thickest cement panels all day, you might still want a saw in the mix to maintain production speed on straight rips. For siding crews and remodelers doing a mix of tasks, the shears carry a lot of the load.

Power and runtime

As a bare tool, your experience here will depend on your battery. On a mid‑capacity 20V MAX pack, I was able to work through typical siding tasks without feeling rushed to swap batteries. The motor doesn’t seem overly hungry, and because you’re not spinning a high‑RPM blade, you don’t get the same sudden drop‑off you feel with saws. If you expect an all‑day pace on panels, bring an extra pack; otherwise, it’s easy to manage within a normal battery rotation.

Durability and maintenance

The head feels solid, with no play that would translate into a wobbly cut. As with all shears, the blades are consumables—keep them sharp and aligned for the best results. Avoid hitting screws and nails; that’s a quick way to nick any shear blade. A little compressed air to clear dust out of the housing and a check for fastener tightness at the end of the day has kept mine running without drama.

Practical tips

• Start cuts slow, then increase speed as the tool seats in the material.
• Account for kerf; center the nose on your line rather than running an edge along it.
• Give the waste ribbon somewhere to go on long cuts.
• Use a starter hole for interior cutouts and tight notches.
• Let the LED’s afterglow help you confirm clearances before the next cut.

Value and who it’s for

If you already own 20V MAX batteries, the bare‑tool format keeps the cost reasonable and aligns with a typical pro setup. For siding installers, remodelers, and tile/backer board crews, the reduction in dust and the quality of the cut justify carrying this alongside a saw. DIYers tackling a full exterior re‑siding or a bathroom remodel will appreciate how approachable and tidy the cutting process becomes.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt fiber cement shears for anyone who regularly cuts fiber cement siding or panels and wants cleaner edges with dramatically less dust. The variable‑speed trigger provides good control, the tool’s light weight keeps fatigue down, and the LED’s delayed shutoff is a small but genuinely helpful touch. It won’t replace a saw for every long rip or the tightest curves, and you’ll need to plan for kerf and the occasional starter hole. But for the bulk of real‑world cuts—straight lines, notches, and gentle arcs—it’s faster, cleaner, and easier than the alternatives, especially on occupied job sites where dust control matters.