Avoid Scratches black sheet metal stock?

[Kaizen]

I bought a 4 foot finger break in part to make minisplit line covers for the unit i installed. I thought black would be nice so i ordered a roll of 12" coil stock. Even just pulling it out of the box seemed to make scratches and abrasions. Moving it in the break definitly made scratches even when being careful.
Any tricks like taping thin cardboard to the bed or a thin material? I realize the bends will not be precise but that is ok on this project.
Or are there better painted aluminum and mine is just really thin?

 

[jack stand]

A vinyl coated coil would be helpful. It adds a very minor texture that is basically un noticeable from 6' and beyond.
Black is the worst color possible for expanding and this will be made worse by using many 4' lengths.
I've seen these lines hidden or disguised inside common down spouting but generally a matching color of the wall is the best way to hide something.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I bought a 4 foot finger break in part to make minisplit line covers for the unit i installed. I thought black would be nice so i ordered a roll of 12" coil stock. Even just pulling it out of the box seemed to make scratches and abrasions. Moving it in the break definitly made scratches even when being careful.
Any tricks like taping thin cardboard to the bed or a thin material? I realize the bends will not be precise but that is ok on this project.
Or are there better painted aluminum and mine is just really thin?

I suspect you got cheap ****. There is better stuff. Up here there are outfits that bend soft metals for builders, siders, etc, that don't want to do there own bending. I've been able to source material from them to do my own small jobs where buying a 100' roll doesn't make cents.
My local guy is called "Cap'N'Flash".

 

[Kaizen]

A vinyl coated coil would be helpful. It adds a very minor texture that is basically un noticeable from 6' and beyond.
Black is the worst color possible for expanding and this will be made worse by using many 4' lengths.
I've seen these lines hidden or disguised inside common down spouting but generally a matching color of the wall is the best way to hide something.

Yea i bought the downspouts but they either don't fit or don't terminate in an asthetic look. I will probably end up painting these the house color but wanted something that blended in with the black posts and black flashing on my recent roof.

 

[Kaizen]

I suspect you got cheap ****. There is better stuff. Up here there are outfits that bend soft metals for builders, siders, etc, that don't want to do there own bending. I've been able to source material from them to do my own small jobs where buying a 100' roll doesn't make cents.
My local guy is called "Cap'N'Flash".

is over 2 bucks a foot cheap for 12" wide? I seriously don't know. I have some 24 inch white that i'm bending and maybe its the same issue but just not as visible. suppose i could spray on some black if its really that bad.

 

[jack stand]

There are several sizes of D/S available. Just something else to keep in your thinking.
You'll find them at more of a contractor supply house than a diy retailer.

 

[Monza Harry]

An awful lot of work I know but what about covering your material with painters tape to protect the material while working it?

 

[kyrbz]

I would put blue painters tape on the surfaces of the brake that touch your metal. Another option might be to buy rolls of artist frisket (kind of a contact paper used to mask off areas) and cover the metal you're bending with it. Artist frisket is a very low adhesive, so it comes off super easy.

In the near future I'm also making some custom covers for mini split lines because I hate the look of the cheap plastic ones that are available. I was going to have a local metal fabricator I use a lot make them up for me due to the lengths I need. Typically all the pre-painted/anodized metals they use for gutter/roofing/flashing applications come with a protective film on them.

 

[Kaizen]

I would put blue painters tape on the surfaces of the brake that touch your metal. Another option might be to buy rolls of artist frisket (kind of a contact paper used to mask off areas) and cover the metal you're bending with it. Artist frisket is a very low adhesive, so it comes off super easy.

In the near future I'm also making some custom covers for mini split lines because I hate the look of the cheap plastic ones that are available. I was going to have a local metal fabricator I use a lot make them up for me due to the lengths I need. Typically all the pre-painted/anodized metals they use for gutter/roofing/flashing applications come with a protective film on them.

Thanks you and Jackstand have a good idea with the tape. i have 2 inch tape shouldnt take long. I'll give that a shot.
After pricing up the size and in metal I decided to get the finger brake. I think it was like 800 for someone to make them so the tool is half paid for. I will look for metal with that film on next time.

 

[tarbellb]

You can try taping your equipment, use painters so it peels easily after.

However if it's really critical that you keep the materials pristine consider applying a protective film to the metal BEFORE doing any work

Plenty of suppliers have clear or tinted film in different mil thickness. Try McMaster, Uline, etc...

I've done high-end exterior metal cladding with very similar material- not scratching the material is a major headache.

 

[Sumboodie]

I normally have the local sheet metal place that makes roof tin make stuff like that. They can bend 10 or 12ft lengths too.

It's a brake BTW.

 

[jack stand]

Thanks you and Jackstand have a good idea with the tape. i have 2 inch tape shouldnt take long. I'll give that a shot.
After pricing up the size and in metal I decided to get the finger brake. I think it was like 800 for someone to make them so the tool is half paid for. I will look for metal with that film on next time.

Does this mean that a 48" finger brake is $1600?
The normal tool for this is a lightweight aluminum brake and the shortest capacity that I've ever seen is 8'6" and can be had (used) on C/L for around $600-800. Eliminating seams every 46" will be highly beneficial for the finished product.

 

[Kaizen]

Does this mean that a 48" finger brake is $1600?
The normal tool for this is a lightweight aluminum brake and the shortest capacity that I've ever seen is 8'6" and can be had (used) on C/L for around $600-800. Eliminating seams every 46" will be highly beneficial for the finished product.

Close. I got it on sale but here it is now. Nice machine. Almost 600 pounds. Says it does 16 ga but i just about threw my back out bending a 3 foot piece. It does it but likes 18 ga much better.

BOSS 16 Gauge Box and Pan Brake –World's Thickest Fingers

BOSS 16 Gauge Box and Pan Brake. Length: 48 1/4", Maximum box depth: 4", Removable fingers: 2", 3", 4", Bend angle stop – 0 to 130 Degrees, Floor stand & Counterweight included.

www.woodwardfab.com

I have always wanted a finger brake for auto and beekeeping stuff that I do. Since getting it and playing around I'm making all kinds of stuff. I was looking in summer and all of those used 8 foot brakes were well over this cost and i would have had to sell it as i don't have that much room for a one trick pony. I have short runs of about 8 feet on this minisplit so it should be ok