PacTool SA902A01 Artisan Gecko Gauge Siding Mounting Kit - For Use with 5/8-Inch Fiber Cement Siding, James Hardie's Updated HZ5 Series - Lap Siding Gauge - Essential Siding Tools

So good, so worth it. It's like having 4 hands. Going up a ladder with a plank, a nailer, and a level, you still do not need another person to help you with this. If you are working alone, I actually am not sure how you side the house without these. I'm sure you would have to fabricate something similar. Even working with another person, I found these to be amazing. Have the other guy be cut man on the ground, and keep sending you up pieces that you set perfectly each time without having to re-measure. For the first 1/2 of the house I did, were were constantly re-checking level, and our layout and it was a good thing we did, these gauges take getting used to. Make sure you flush the gauge all the way up to the bottom of the board. Sometimes they can sit in an angle, and that 1/8th inch on 1 board can get out of hand in a couple rows if you aren't paying attention. Also make sure you keep the height adjustment bolts tight. I actually lost one of my plastic washers, but was able to find the bolt. Probably not that hard to replace, but just a hassle. If you are going to have these higher than a few feet over anything but grass, buy these and not the plastic ones. I dropped mine on concrete from about 20 feet and dented a corner, still works perfectly. These hold real well, I felt comfortable in how well these held on to slide in 12' boards from a ladder 10' away. Even with the tight grip, there was no damage to any of the boards. The locking handle moves super easy, doesn't take hard wrenching or anything that could be problematic on a really high ladder. Does only 1" increments for reveals. 5",6",7",8". Probably not an issue for most, but something to keep in mind. Still an excellent tool for holding a plank in place, even if I had to fudge a board 1/4"-1/2" or so to adjust my layout. I bought these for 1 siding job and found them to be worth the money. I sold them to my carpenter for 50% cost, but I'm sure you could do better if you wanted.

It's hard to imagine installing lap siding without this tool. I have the metal version for Hardie lap siding and it's great-- it makes the installation process a 1-person job even with the full 12-foot long pieces of siding, and everything always lines up nicely. It's still worth double-checking your work every few rows with a laser or a traditional level, especially if you're putting up rows on either side of a window that need to align when you get to the top. But this is a small step that just adds a few moments to the overall process. Nice tool, very sturdy, works as expected.

Great price for the best product. At least 20$ cheaper than your local lumber yard

The piece where the board rests is a small piece of hard plastic. It seems to chip the edge of the board sometimes. Also they like to go on at an angle, be sure to make them flat. The first row using this was weird for us, but it did not have the house behind it, because it over lapped our foundation. Once you get to where you have actual house behind it the work great. We bought the other original plastic ones and they seemed to be slightly better on the boards. Maybe it’s our learned use. I would recommend the original plastic over the aluminum geckos. These support the board great.

Idk people have issues with these. Use them correctly. I own a siding business and I have about 10 pairs of these and they’ve been working great since I bought them 10 years ago.. we put them thru very rough use, negative temps up into triple digits. The only thing wearing on them is the rubber to grip the siding but they still hold and don’t have any issues. Very much worth the money. They’ve lasted about 500 houses worth of siding with the average house being 34 square

I'm a general contractor and purchased several sets of these for a large siding job. Both the plastic style & this model both held very well even to dusty siding, easy to use, several adjustment sizes & if you need 10" lap siding you can get an extension from Pac Tool directly. I would suggest these for a professional or homeowner installing Hardie or other lap siding. They worked great for one person to be able to side by themselves & more accurately, or a large crew to go faster. I will never use a hand made wood jig (the wood wears down & becomes inaccurate) again. I put a thin piece of self stick teflon (used for drawer guides from wood worker or hardware stores) on the plastic tips to keep them from wearing but you can easily buy replacement tips from Pac Tool also.

Used these gauges for installing Hardy Plank on my shed. As one of us cut the planking, the other installed onto the shed. Like any construction product - preparation simplifies the process. My helper had used them before which sped things along quite quickly. For two old guys - we planked the shed in two days.

put siding up on verandah wall. could not have got the same result without this tool. easy to use and well made. highly recommended

My husband used this clamps for cladding front and back of the house on his own. Five star definitely.

Great quality product

Works well, robust aluminium design. Bit expensive.