PACTOOL INTERNATIONAL SA903B Gecko Gauge-Siding

Some of you may think the cost for this plastic tool might not be worth it. Trust me, it is very worth it.I used this pair of clamps to install 145 twelve foot HardiPlank Lap Siding boards, and while not effortless, the difference between using and not using these nifty holders is night and day.Here are a few tips:* First make sure you buy the right Gecko model. I needed the SA903B because I used HZ5 drip-edge HardiPlank siding - the drip edge can be damaged without the small recessed cutout. Look at all of them before buying.* They adjust easily, so don't get excited and use them before ensuring they will give you the right reveal.* Check they are fully inserted and vertical - easy to get them at an angle if in a hurry.* Don't push the levers all the way up as not necessary and hard to disengage after use. Not one slip the entire project.* Careful the board doesn't slip down between the lower board and the clamp as the clamps tend to lean out a bit. Just keep a little pressure outward and upward when adjusting. The leaning out helps with adjustment left and right so isn't a defect and doesn't mean you have used them incorrectly.* Spend time making the first row exactly right as this becomes the foundation for making all subsequent rows level. There was no need to snap lines to ensure the rows are level - every row was near perfect, even when working independently around doors and windows. I grew more confident as the project progressed.* I found some slight variation in the HardiPlank, but found it more important for appearance if a butt joint's bottom edges were even rather than holding absolutely to the distance determined by the clamps. To lower the board, hold it and loosen the clamp allowing the board to drop sufficiently and re-tighten. To raise, lift the board's edge as needed while inserting the nail at that end of the board. Make any subtle corrections on the next level if needed to make appropriate corrections.* On a top row, you might not have enough room to lift the board up and over the clamps. Attach only one clamp on the far end, slide your board onto that clamp from the side - lift the free end up and slide the second clamp in.* Don't drop them as they are plastic and could break on concrete.

These Gecko gages were a life-saver when installing 100 pcs Hardi Plank on my garage. Most of the time I did not have a helper but still made progress thanks to these devices. Now that I've used them I can't imagine doing the job without them. They saved me a ton of money by not having to have a helper. Allowed me to do a professional job without being a professional. I've had many compliments from neighbors about how professional my Hardi Plank siding looks. I'm even amazed at how well I did thanks to these devices.

This tool works great and is designed for the new HZ5 zone James Hardie lap siding. I had made my own tool in the past which worked but needed a helper. This tool allows one person installation and is a real time saver. You will love it.

So very helpful in applying handiplank to a repaired wall of our home.

These little things worked great. I was able to install nearly all my James Hardie siding by myself. The only time I needed help was the starter row. Like others have said, install a few feet from each end to make sure the plank doesn't sag (shouldn't but you never know) and I continually check the measurements to make sure I got the same reveal on each side. The handles don't have to be flipped all the way up, just get them snug and it will hold fine (about perpendicular to wall). If a piece of plank needs to be raised alightly higher, you can turn the Gecko slightly to get the plank another 1/8 or so inches higher.

The Gecko Gauge made the process of aligning the siding to be very straightforward and made the installation much easier.

Great makes it easy and keep everything in line worth every penny if you doing one house or many this is the tool to have

this device does a good job of holding planks well. it is like having a second person holding the plank