I had to replace my old reliable sheet metal brake yesterday which was stolen.
Replacing the stolen brake was easy—-but I quickly found out that transporting the new one is gonna be more difficult. although I bought the same basic model—-some changes have been made in the last 15 years. The new version doesn’t fit properly on my old ladder rack carrying hooks. Loading on top of the rack would be awkward at best for one man.
I am told by my supplier that the pivoting gizmo’s currently sold which allow you to “permanently” mount the brake to your ladder rack and swing the brake down into working position do not work out well in the long run. It seems that the pivoting gizmo makes the “working hieght” of the brake about chest high—awkward.
I am in the habit of traveling with my brake everyday to a different location. I am wondering how the rest of you transport your brakes in this situation.
thanks
Replies
Make your own hooks.
D. I. Y.
; )
Can't we all just get a log ? - Paul Bunyon
Quittin' Time
I dread having to load mine. I'm too old and the darn thing is really awkward. I'll be interested to see posts on this.
I've got a 10-6" Tapco Pro III, and it stays in the shop except when needed. I made a set of wheels for one end that strap on, I roll it to the truck lay the end on the tailgate and slide it in, it's really easy to do one man. Tapco don't want brakes hung by the back tube, it makes them sag in the center, so you get a big smile instead of a straight bend. I figure when your going down the road and hit a set of RR tracks or uneven bridge, you're putting a pretty good G-load on the tool.
I passed up a good deal on a brake a few days ago at a gas station in Lower Akron....makes me wonder. $150 seemed like a good deal though........;)
Kieth----it's funny you should mention lower Akron----cause thelocation of the theft was as L.A. as ya can get. -----Brown st. Post office.
From that location even my old worn out arm can throw a baseball into Springfield/Coventry---if I can just clear the roof of the Echeck station. Actually---I just have to throw it ACROSS brown st and let it roll behind the south plaza----that's out of town.
all I really care about is using the brake to bend chimney flashing and occasionally w valley flashing. Even the old 8 ft. 6 inch tapco developed a tiny banana in it that only showed up in longer pieces. no problem for chimneys---and inconsequential on the valleys.
the problem is that I take this brake EVERYWHERE ---it's always on the truck'cause it's amazing how often you use it if you have it along. If I leave it back in the "shop" most of the time----I will be tempted to hillbilly in a lot of flashing----and that way lies destruction.
I am thinking of adding 2 more hooks so the back tube will be supported every 20-24 inches. It will still be a bear to load and unload solo.
BTW---to add insult to injury---the wads who stole the old brake---scratched the side of my truck in the process.
AND My Erie insurance agent advises me NOT to file a claim against my tool rider----If So---why am I paying forr a tool rider on my policy if I can't use it after suffering a loss?
I've always thought that for you guys that do mostly flashing, that one of the small brakes that they have set up for displays in Norandex and Alsides would be perfect. They are Pro III's just only 4-5' long, 4 throats, perfect for flashing.
I bet the idiots stole the brake for aluminum scrap, I'm sure they're not actually WORKING with it.
look at the bright side ...
if they did try to figure it out ...
they've crushed their fingers a coupla time by now.....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
You are right Kieth,
I have been eyeing the short brakes for a long time. with the short brake I could leave the monster home in good conscious.(Even the 8'6" brake weighs 98 lbs.)
Actually----I have a little hand brake about 18-20 inches long that bends a 1/2" bend for inserting counter flashing into chimney mortar.----what I really need is something similar about 36"long that makes a 4" bend----that would handle 95% of my needs.
Look in the tool crib catalog right next to the TAPCO brake is a 48" brake made by Malco. I found a PRO2000 bender with sidewinder and pro cut off for 800$ at a pawn shop but my conscience and need are making a justifcation to buy it ,unsure.
WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
I found a PRO2000 bender with sidewinder and pro cut off for 800$ at a pawn shop but my conscience and need are making a justifcation to buy it
2 ways to look at this IMO, 1) why support the business that steals our tools?
2) Since we all have our tools stolen, who better to get them back for cheap than us?
You could think of the pawn shop owners as theives, or as the guys who retrieve our tools for us, whether or not we get the same exact tools back....If all the pawn shops closed down, would tool theft stop?
Stupid theives make me mad :|
It would be interesting to find out what percentage of tools are pawned and what percent are kept.
why support the business that steals our tools?
I have a friend in the pawn shop business. The Police come in every week and cross check what he brings in with what is reported stollen. If you mark your tools, and report thefts, that should keep them out of pawn shops.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
we've covered this before...
count the silverware after your visits ....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
simple ...
just rob the place!
take the brake and call it even ....
what comes around ........ fair's fair ..........that sorta thing.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Your comment about insurance is surely a source for another thread. Probably been addressed a bit.
I had the same experience with my agent. He explained that since the decline of the stock market and the wreck of the world trade center, insurance companies have lost weight (read: lost money according to him) and follow claims with cancellations. He advised to save claims for catastrophic loss.
The wheels are a good idea. How do you store it in the shop, then? Just lay it on the floor? I do hang mine, but the hangers are 1/3 to 1/4 of the way in from the ends. I'm assuming an even distribution of weight will keep it from sagging. But maybe I'm bending double S curves . . .
Ill take a picture of the wheel set-up and post it. I hang mine in the shop, but I have a bracket at every clamp, so it's supported. My old 8'6" was smiling when I sold it, from hanging from 2 brackets....lessoned learned.
I've got one of those black max brakes with a 19" throat and the stand with wheels. It's heavy as hell. Most of my bending is done in the shop, so I don't take this one out much. When I do though, I u-bolt it to my utility trailer. It sits on the top rail over the wheels. Good working height and I use the bed of the trailer for a layout table.
maybe you could try mounting the brake on the rack as you described, but it's to high.
Step onto a bucket?
I have my 10'6" Van Mark mounted on my trailer put it on in the spring take it off when the snow flies it stays there all season too much of a bear to move for this 50 yr old back. Load ladders, pumps & planks on other side and materials in the middle take to site and leave it.