Van Mark brake

End of year time to spend some money, I guess.

Looking into a brake upgrade. I've had my eye on a Van Mark for years after having 2 Tapcos. IDK why, never used a Van Mark. Not even sure of which model to choose, but the cam lock looks best to me. Perhaps the Mark I.

Funds aren't unlimited, but I do want accessories, like a cutter and wheels.

Any suggestions?

Hey big daddy We all ways used a Tapco and never had any problems excep for falling off a truck, but after some minor repairs it worked fine of course we never did any type of work that need precise bending for that we used a local metal shop

Don't know anything about the van marks.

I own an OLD tapco that won't bend straight. Looking at a 12'6" Tapco Max-I-Mum 19" deep throat so I can bend 24 gauge galvanized and 26 gauge painted steel.

Same w/ mine clover. It never did bend straight. Ar first I thought I damaged it. But we have a 6 footer that has taken way more abuse and bends fine

It doesn't help that my main supplier's new aluminum coilstock is so chintzy that if it gets any thinner I'll be using saran wrap.

Same here. Last time I checked with my micrometers, the 019 was 017 . The 024 is now 022.

Might as well shop the big box for this kind of crap....

I'm figuring on spending extra for 24 ga steel capability too clover.

Good to know I'm not the only one w/ a crooked tapco B)

I'm a taco black max man myself. They have a 20 inch throat and can hem the heavy stuff. As far as not bending straight, if they're not supported correctly it will sag in the middle. This is true with any brake on the market. I have one that is 16 years old and bends true and straight but I treat it like a lady.. This is my bread and butter so I take good care of it.

I'm always the odd man out i guess. I use 6 inch aluminum gutter coil. It's soft enough to bend by hand over a deck rail or the tail gate of the truck, yet thick enough to lay nice and smooth against whatever your installing it on. I've been bending it by hand for over 20 years. :huh:

I was looking at a tapco 14' black max in Chicago for less than half of a new one in good condition. It got swiped before I could drive up there and get it. :(

I probably don't need the 14 footer except for once in a great while, so it would have just been a bragging right.

I looked around the shop one day and realized I had 4 ten footers, Tapco and Van. I started cutting and chopping. I now have 36", 60" 8' and 10', along with a 4' and 10' shop break. I can now take which ever break I need.

Since panels are never longer than 24" on flat-lock, I can carry this one up 3+ stories and custom fit everything easily.

I've got 2 of the 2' brakes and use them more than the 8' 6" brake. Take the 2' right up on the roof with you for chimney, steps, short valley runs, etc.

I have Van Marks and will bend .032 with a little more effort applied.

Great idea Tinner.

So, what did you get twill?

I'm going to have to wait until my next vertical seam job to justify spending $3000 on something I won't utilize too often.

Funny you should ask clover..... :woohoo:

I did decide on the 10'6" Metal Master. It was supposed to ship today. Then.............. :dry:

I get a phone call from am Illinoisian interested in buying my Tapco. He said: "I've been buying, selling, using and repairing brakes for 20 years. DO NOT buy a Van Mark!"

Then we had a 20 minute conversation as to why. Then I thought of copperman's comments here regarding the Tapco Max-i-mum commercial.

To make a long story short, I put the order on "hold" just in time. I'll have to decide by Monday.

I'm still looking for real life advice. HELP! :blink:

we use tapco max or old pexto box pan in the shop:

tinner's tongs on site. those little chopped down tapcos are nice but I like the adjustable stops on the tinner's tongs.

bending 20oz, zinc, and "terne" (rezibond these days)

I forgot to mention thst you can easly adjust he max with an allen wrench that is stored on the brake. Only takes minutes