Makita - Model: 5057kb 13 Amp 7-1/4-inch Circular Concrete Saw With Dust Collector

Be prepared to invest some time practicing with this saw. The first thing I'd recommend is remove the blade Makita gives you and buy a good diamond 4 or 6-tooth blade. Cutting speed increased and dust/chips were greatly reduced. Tried cutting with and without a vacuum hose attached. If you can set up a tight cutting area/station, the hose may work for you. When it came to ripping a plank, it took two people (one person babysat the hose). The saw is heavy and not user friendly with a hose attached. We eventually put the wind to the back of the cut-man and went without the hose. I'd say the saw picks up 60-70% of the dust w/o the hose; slightly better with the vac. Cuts are clean and quite effortless. Rated to cut up to 5 planks...we tried up to 3 with no problems. If you have to watch the cut line, say on a rip, expect chips and dust coming right up into your face...recommend a face shield vs regular safety glasses. A dust mask was used on calm wind days. This saw won't be your saving grace but it will nicely compliment Snapper or Kett shears.

Background
I have had this saw for over a year now as a dedicated mortar bed saw. I use it to cut out old mortar bed tile installations. This involves changing the blade to a diamond and making full depth (of the bed) cuts into tile and concrete cutting the tile field into lift able sized pieces. so when I take this saw out (7-8 times last year) it gets run very hard (several hundred foot of concrete cutting in an hour or two).

+ Strong running
+ Dust collection excellent w/ vac,(cutting tile floors in homes)
+ well made this is a top shelf Makita product
+ push button blade guard retractor
+ easy blade change

- the pistol grip has a VERY distracting finger guard
- it has a bit awkward feel to it in use

Summery
For my application it is the best tool out there at this time, but if someone would make a worm drive collection system that worked as well I would jump ship. If i were cutting Hardi siding I would look hard at the Ridgid first.