Brake Skills Q:

Tinstaafl

Can't quite picture what you're talking about. Got a pic or description I could use to screw something up with?

mdshunk

Okay, "hem". I guess that's the proper word. Yes, my brake definately won't hem. Heck, I really need to slap it up to get a nice 90. It won't even do a 91.

MJW

mdshunk

What pieces do you guys call the "cams"? Mine drive little wedges in about every foot when I move the handle on either end. That ring a bell for anyone as far as brand or model might go?

loneframer

I'll get on that pic over the weekend Tin, but be forewarned, it's 12 years old and I used to have employees. It's still in good shape for its age.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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MJW

mdshunk, I had one just like that with a big red handle waaaay down at the end. A customer actually gave it to me. I used it a couple times, but the newer brakes are soooo much better. If you haven't played with one, you should really go take a look at them.

Tinstaafl

Not a clue as to brand or model, but I've seen a couple. No offense, but that's sort of on the "rinky-dink" level compared to today's Tapco. Quite usable though.

"Cam" is just what it normally means; an off-center rotational circular thingy. Hard to describe without illustrations, and happy to say, I have work tomorrow and not enough energy to work up a pics & arrows illustration at the mo'.

mdshunk

You might not have noticed that I'm an electrician, so I really don't get much use of it. Certainly not enough to buy a new 1,200 dollar brake. I am jealous of those cutoff tools, though. Just zip that thing from end to end. Can you bend .030 and .042 on a new Tapco?

loneframer

Van Mark makes a very nice machine also. The handle folds backwards to lock rather than forward and upright like the Tapco. Nice for large, unusual bends.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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loneframer

That is how the Port-O-Brake works, although it's not the only brand that functions that way. The cams provide the same function as the wedges, only the handle operates an axle type setup. As the axle turns the cams apply pressure on the locking mechanism. Cams are found on the Van Mark brand. The Tapco is another design unto itself, which I can't really describe without looking at it again. Maybe I'll post pics with the piano hinge tomorrow.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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Tinstaafl

Yup, noticed. Still looking forward to seeing your buggy-mounted cherry picker sometime when running my boy back and forth from Ship. Mom's done most of it so far, and when I've been down there, I've been under severe time constraints.

To be honest, the only reason I have a Tapco is that it belonged to a GC I had to fire a while back. It became part of the money he owed me. For $500 that I never expected to see, it was too good a deal to pass up.

Have to defer to those who actually have a newer one. Not only is this one old, it's had a tree fall on it, bending the actuator bar. Amazingly, it still does a pretty doggone good job.

loneframer

Eccentric, as opposed to concentric

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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Tinstaafl

Hey! I represent that!

loneframer

I knew that you would.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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loneframer

I would say yes on both counts, but .042 may be tough on the hinge. Not recommended on either count if you mean galvanized sheet metal.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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Tom Struble

i go to the max with those gauges
http://www.tapco.pl/index_eng.php

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loneframer

As promised Tin, again I deliver. Here are the pics of a 12 year old brake, well taken care of.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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loneframer

more

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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mdshunk

I read the plate on mine today, and I'm not sure what brand it is. It says "weather-tite", "ambassador" and "Norandex" on it .

loneframer

MD, here are some pics of the locking mechanism on the Tapco.

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"Walking the fine line between production and perfection"



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