I am thinking (a mistake already) of purchasing an aluminium bender or as they are called, a brake. I pass up a lot of small jobs because I don’t have the means to cap off framing when I do repairs. I know they come in different lenghths but that’s about all I know about them. It doesn’t look like rocket science to waste a roll of coil practicing till I get the hang of it. I would appreciate it if anyone could help me as to the best size (I would only be doing doors and window trim), where to buy one and about how much they would cost. THanks.
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Ya might wanna consider renting when a project requires one.
They're pretty darn costly....big, bulky, heavy....need a place to store it out of the way when not being used.
I've got an old one I inherited years back.....hate the damned thing...till I need it.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
check out the "windy" brake by Tapco...i have even seen them on e-bay...good starter brake...
when I finally buy one ... it'll be a 10'6" model ... aka ... 10'er.
because ... 8ft's too short ...
and ... I can't carry a 12ft too far by myself.
I know for a fact that the 10'6" will cover most of what I run into ... and ... I know I can load/unload and carry for what ever distance fairly comfortably a 10'6" by myself.
And seeing as how I usually work by myself ... having a 12ft'er on top of the van that I never wanna unload by myself ain't so practical.
They're a bit heavy at the end of a day. An 8ft'er has gotten me thru plenty ... but there's been plenty of times a little extra woulda made life easier ...
Rent a coupla and see what fits ya best.
btw ... measure real careful ... and U can rent for the halfday rate .. and bend it all there in the rental yard parking lot. Don't save ya money ... but saves the headache of racing back thru traffic to make the deadline.
my favorite rental yard closed down a coupla years ago .... they'd just give me a dirty look and refund all the money if I got it all bent in 20 min or so ... hated to hear the owner retired.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
The olny ones I've seen are 10 feet long and are $1500 to$2000 + extras I sugest a railcuter but most vynal supply places out my way have one free of charge if you use it there.
think mine is 10ft... when i use it it's worth whatever it might cost, mine was used when i got it and think i gave $400 for it out of the paper... i think if it as "make'n trim" really good when i'm doing commerical storefronts ect... what i mostly use for stock is I buy the short rolls from the gutter guy for what they'd get for it scrap as they won't run a short roll so i get some really great colors... a sharp razor down the clamped material and a few bends back & forth and you have a perfect cut... for my office space i'm often asked to add an opening between offices... so i keep some white stock bent to 4 1/2" inside with 2" legs (like metal stud track) i over bend the legs a little.... then there is a need for an opening... i cut the hole remove the drywall remove whatever stud might be in the new opening add a few drywall screws to the drywall around the hole but inside the 2" that the "legs" will cover and cut my prebent trim to fit the hole i only secure it with 4 small screws on each side one in each corner it's mostly friction fit from being over bent... with cleanup i have a finished cased opening with no painting required in less than 2 hours....
p
I bought an 8'er about 25 years ago for virtually the same reasons you speak of. It's fine for that. It's been in the way for decades, but when I need it, I'm tickled pink that I have it.
I've did house trims and it's okay for that too, but longer is better.
I hate it's weight and I would hate a longer one more.
You might check around and ask your roofing and siding supplier if they have one to rent. I used to shop at a supplier that would let you use theirs if you bought the siding at their yard.
blue
If I were you I'd buy a Tapco 10'6" they are fairly light and portable. I bought a Van Mark 10'6" used and it's pretty heavy, the Tapco's are a nice break if I could've found one for the price of the Van Mark I would've bought that one instead.
10'6" is a good length break it will bend almost everything in one or two pieces. 16' garage doors are a two piece deal.
Once you get the hang of the brake theres no limit on what you can make with it, chimney counterflashing, both styles of drip edge T and C, H-channel for soffit, fascia, window and door trim.
You're entitled to sh!t.---Tony Soprano
10'6" is a good size, buy a Pro-model
either VanMark or TapCo... see if you can pick one up used or expect to pay about $1200
we bought a VanMark in '82 , still going strong
we keep ours in the garage, permanently set up.. we don't take it out on the job, though we could
we also bought a used slitter.. ( $200 )..... really great tool
Edited 3/22/2006 5:55 am ET by MikeSmith
I have a Van Mark 10'6" that I purchased used from HD's rental dept. Check them out - you may find someone willing to deal.I picked up the brake with a brand new in box Vanmark $200 rolling stand and a brand new in box $289 slitter for $850 including tax.It's a beast all right, but with two people, it's not too bad to get off the trailer ladder rack.I purchased the trim former accessory for it but have only had time to screw around with it a bit - seems liek it could create some very cool profiles - has a neat crown molding die that gives you a nice crown effect for the tops of windows or along the top of siding.JT
sounds like you got a great dealMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I got out of there as fast as I could before he figured out how litttle I spent...Same guy hooked me up with a rental MK 660 tile saw with a bunch of stuff - figured out to about $900 retail altogether - I was out the door in that deal for $288 + tax.It doesn't hurt to ask for a better deal and have em throw in a few extras at the same time.JT
Any chance you could provide dimensions of the crown molding die?
Might be able to post a few pictures with a ruler - give me a day or two.JT
No problem. Thanks.
I bought a used 10'6" Tapco for $600 and worth every dime of it. I'd never used one before and quickly learned many tricks. Buy some cheap coil and practice, practice, practice. You'll be amazed at what you can do with one.
You are not limited to the length of the brake for finished product either. I even learned how to bend 15' and 20' long fascia wrap without any flaws.
There is one in the classified section. I just bumped it but don't know if it is still available.
Lefty - Lurker without an attitude or a clue
How do you bend 15'?!!
blue
very carefully.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Iam not a poet, but your hat is singularily inadequate"
Yep, sphere got it right...very carefully!
Here's the short version: You need about a 30' long work area. Set up a 10' or 12' table extension on each end of the brake(saw horses and a 2X12 work great). Shim the tables to the same height as the brake so the trim coil doesn't flex. Mark your fold line every 12" or so the entire length of the stock. Make a ~slight ~ bend on one half(left side) and then slide it down, align and repeat for the right side. The key to perfection is the very first bend. Don't over bend and keep a keen eye for alignment or you'll crease/kink it at the overlap of the second half(right side).
After the first bend is started, just keep shifting the stock back and forth, working it up to 90* or whatever. It takes several passes and is a 2 man show. I also hem the exposed edge, but I do that first. Then I'll do the 90*...actually 90*+ so it fits tight.
How long would this take?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Too long to be profitable I'm sure. I never clocked my time since it is for my own place at my own pace. WAG...start to finish, probably about an hour for a 15' or 20' piece. That includes cutting the correct width out of the roll of coil...I don't have the slitter, so I use a straight edge and a blade. The toughest part and most time consuming is making the hem.
Edited 3/22/2006 10:59 pm ET by caveman
I had a feeling you were going to tell me that!
I've bent stuff too long for my brake too, but I'd never dream of doing a 16'er! Now I will.
It never hurts to know that something can be done...even if I'll never do it.
blue
I have a tamco 10er. Love it, and I use it often.
It never comes off the trailer that it is on, period.(except when I want it to)
I had no luck looking for a used one, seems all the used ones were wornout. They would of been good for the "once in a great while" but not for once a week. Be careful buying a used brake. I paid about 1300 fro mine but it was worth every dime.
jus my 2cents on this subject.
An inch too short. That's the story of my life !
bstcrpntr --- I hope to grow into this name.
What should one look for that would designate a brake as being worn out?
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
Holy smokes. I've never even SEEN a carpenter use a brake, much less used one myself. Any other Northwesterners use them? Have I been sleeping like Rip Van Winkle and missed a generation or something?Tipi, Tipi, Tipi!
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
Caulk and paint make a carpenter what he ain't. (Is that how it goes?) and if that don't work you cover it all with bent metal.
dang Ralph, now you got me wanting one.
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
Well, I'm an Easterner so I don't really qualify for your query, but we use a break all the time.Most of our exterior finish is vinyl, FC, or masonry. Very little wood which, from what I remember of my quick visit to Seattle, makes us quite opposite of each other.We use our break primarily to bend fascia, wrap wood windows, and flashing pieces. Do you purchase all of your flashing?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
"Do you purchase all of your flashing?"
Yeah, pretty much. Most lumber yards carry the 10-20 profiles we need for the commonly used exterior trims (1x, 5/4, 2x) in a few colors and can order anything special. I am thinking the only time I bend my own is for flashing curbs on a roof - even then I use prebent step flashing on the sides.
But I don't build many new buildings, so maybe I'm just not up to date. I was hoping someone from this part of the world had a different experience than mine, always nice to learn something new.
Maybe building is far more standardized here than in other areas where buildings are older, therefore more diverse?
Man, bending fascia and window casing covers, that sounds tedious. I can't even walk past the rolls of flashing at the lumber yard without getting cut.
By the way, Jon, I finally took time to scope your website last week. Nice.
Tipi, Tipi, Tipi!
http://www.asmallwoodworkingcompany.com
For starters, overall condition. If it looks rough, it's probably been bounced around enough to rack it. If it's racked or warped, you'll see the same results in your finished product. Short pieces should be OK, but the longer pieces will show the bow for sure. If you have doubts, bend a 10' piece of big box cheap stuff to 90* and sight the bend. It should be clean and straight the whole length.
-Sight the stainless edge on the anvil for straightness and look for cuts and dings.
-Is the base table flat and nick free.
-Does the hinge bind.
-Does the clamp bar lock and release smoothly.
-Do the tension adjusters(?) turn freely.
-Does the stock slip while making tight bends.
One last thought...there are tune up kits and replaceable parts available for the Tapco models. The tune up kit for mine cost me about $75 IIRC
View Image
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
I was gonna answer your post to me but caveman said what I would of, so I won't say it.
That's a long sentence for saying nothing.An inch too short. That's the story of my life !
bstcrpntr --- I hope to grow into this name.
>>>>>>>>>>>>That's a long sentence for saying nothing.At least you realize it..................Birth, school, work, death.....................
http://grantlogan.net/
Buddies got one in his garage he said he'd sell for $300.
Never gave it much thought but I think I'm going to have a close look now.
be bringing a magnifying glass.
'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity
sweet dreams...
;)
i have a 12' 6" van mark, will break 24 guage material, great for roofing trim, weighs about 275 lbs. cost 2500.00 five years ago. have a tapco 10' 6" also, good for trimming with aluminum coil , but not much more. The van mark has a slitter that rides on break for precise cuts for about another 300.00 bucks, and also a trim former that is good for aluminum stock only. My van mark was bowed when purchased new, i used a laser some cable and turnbuckles to straighten and it works great now and is easy to tweak for straighteness.
What's the trim former all about? Any pics?
http://www.van-mark.com/accessories/Trimformer/NewDies.htmlhttp://www.van-mark.com/accessories/TrimCutter/TrimCutter.htmlJT
Big thanx View Image
I'll pass on the slitter, probably more $$$ than I want to spend...
But any idea what the crown dies run? That is slick and I want one!!
You ever use one?
They make two slitters - one, the link above is pretty kick butt and runs about $280 or so. The other merely uses a standard type blade and runs along the rails and runs about $200.The trimformer I think was about $400 with the crown dies. I figured I got such a great deal on the brake that I'd splurge and get the trimformer. I honestly haven't used it other than some testing, but what little I played with it, I can see the possibilities to really dress up an otherwise boring detail job.JT
4 bills?...ouch!! Wanna sell yours?
Better yet...Where do you live? I'll be by tomorrow to borrow it (just kidding LOL)
That thing Does look slick. I need to find someone local that has one and give it a try.
Thanks again
I got dibs on the classified..but, but, if you are hurting I'll sell it to ya for a small handleing charge. (G)
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
" Iam not a poet, but your hat is singularily inadequate"
I've had the 10'er for years. Scored it from the local classifieds for a few hundred dollars. I see them fairly often. People go in and out of that biz (siding) pretty fast.
With mine its a love hate relationship. I absolutly hate the size and weight. Pain the arse to store but when you need it not much else will do. If its just a cpl a jobs rent one unless you see one for cheap. Home depots even selling them. Try a "local" ebay search.
It's easy to do some bends but it can also bend your brain on others.
One hint on complex bends is to use a small piece first...maybe a foot long. If its perfect use that as your template. Little need for a tape measure with a template or having to visualize weather or not to turn it upside down and backwards to bend it.
If Blodgett says, Tipi tipi tipi it must be so!
TipiFest 06~~> Send me your email addy for a Paypal invoice to the greatest show on earth~~>[email protected]
Our local lumberyard "rents" them for free. In the a.m., you pick up, they charge (only on cc) the full purchase price. End of day or job, you return, get full credit back. No I don't jerk them around, this is the way they do it for everybody. Might pay to ask. After one is used a while, they discount it and sell for good.
Tapco makes two lines, "Pro" is light duty, "Max" is heavy duty. I bought the 10-6 Max with the cutter new for $2700. I'd have gotten a used one if there were any within driving distance. I needed the heavy version for 32 oz. copper gutters.
When you get into more complex shapes, you have to do some thinking about the order in which to make the bends. You can paint yourself into a corner where the brake gets in the way of making the next bend. I finally had to give up on making the gutter and apron in one piece, there was just no way to do it and still have the edge for the roof pans to lock to.
If you're in the LA area and want to try a few bends, the Tapco is still there, along with the material handling tables I built for it.
-- J.S.
Trust me on this. Brakes are like boats. You dont need a brake...........you need a friend with a brake.