aluminum siding Brake--Van Mark or Tapco

[bimmer1980]

Does anyone here have an aluminum Siding Brake by either Van Mark or Tapco? (or others...)

What size do you have? Do you use it every day or just for a few projects?

Just curious how much you paid for the brake if you are willing to say....

I have been sorta looking for one over the last while. I think it could come in handy for doing some of the trim and the standing seam on my garage.....

Feel free to share your hints and tips as well.

 

[Fleetwood]

I have used the 12' i believe Tapco brand brake. It did everything i needed it to do i installed siding professionally for a couple years for company called Hanke Brothers. Anyways i didn't have any issues with the unit and it was light enough i could move it around by myself. Sorry i don't have any insight on the other brand.

 

[jack stand]

I've have both. 10'6" tapco and 12'6" Van Mark. I kinda like the closing action on the VM better. When you mention standing seam, are you using steel or alum coil? I think that both brands have a special (heavier built with many more "c" frame pc) model for that (steel) work. They also come with a stand that you stand on when bending the steel to keep the brake from lifting up.

 

[Rust]

The pro-3 19" throat Tapcos have a wider range of bending radius, which comes in handy for those odd bends. Like F-channel and H-channel (soffit miter)
I've never tried a VM but I have had 2 tapco brakes ...a 10'6" and a 12'6".
My 10'6" has a 19 inch throat which I love with the sidewinder and cut off tool.
The pro stand with the wheels make this a great system. Easy to move and use.

I used to side a few houses a year, But not lately. so it collects a bit of dust.
Thats what happened to my 12'6"..it sat ..I needed cash and sold it...
Only to buy the 10'6" a year later...

If your just interested in doing some work around the house, I'd just rent one.

 

[Rust]

Both brakes are over a grand new.
My 10'6" I scored off craigslist for 900 bucks...came with the pro-stand, sidewinder and cutoff tool. The guy I bought it from bought it to do his house, used it once.
If I were to buy that all new...... 16-1800 dollars.
So Yeah... Booyah!

 

[Nick M]

I just ordered a 10' 6" tapco pro 14 last week. I used one before, but I have never used a Van mark. Apparently the locking handle is reversed on the two, and it looks like transporting the Tapco would be a bit easier because of this. However, I have read that the lock is a more liked design on the Van Mark. I realized I didn't really need the extra depth of the pro 19 (14 inches opposed to 19 inches). And the pro 14 is a little lighter. Something to keep in mind if loading/unloading onto truck or van by yourself.

Either way, the Tapco is on its way to me soon. Ordered online, as it was the cheapest route without taxes, free shipping, just over 1600 with the pro-cutoff tool. I could have bought used on CL but they were all somewhat abused, knife marks, needed rebuilds..etc. I am picky and rather spend the extra money on a new one because I plan to use it quite often, and keep it for a while- so it was worth it to me. If you can find one in a condition that you approve of, by all means save the extra $$ instead of new.

Check the website for material capacities of each brake, the basic models I don't *think* will do painted steel panels.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I'm partial to my 10-6 Van Mark. I bought it used in 1993 and used it in my business for 10 years with no problems. With the economy in the dumps now, the pawn shops seem to be full of Contractor's tools and equipment. including lots of siding stuff. I would check them out before buying a new brake.

 

[bimmer1980]

I did pick up a 10' Mark 1 Series aluminum brake yesterday on craigslist. The guy was asking $500 and I offered $400 and he accepted.

I was surprised at how heavy it was to load and unload into the pickup.

Now I need to build a frame to set it up on or some saw horses or something.....

I think it will come in handy for my trim work.

Any hints or tips would be welcome!