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01-29-2009, 10:17 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Trade:
Window and Door Replacement
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 3
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Comparison of Van Mark I & II brakes
I recently bought a Van Mark II brake with the powerslot hinge (my first brake). I use it mostly on windows, very little siding. I'm not sure the floating hinge is an advantage. Would the Van Mark I have been a better choice? Or even a Tapco?
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01-29-2009, 10:18 PM
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#2
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Pro
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siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
Posts: 1,856
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dont they all have a floating hinge?
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01-29-2009, 10:26 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Trade:
Window and Door Replacement
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Posts: 3
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Brakes are a new field for me, but my understanding of this Mark II Trimmaster is that the pivot of the hinge slides up when you want to finish your hem, unlike the conventional Mark I. I'm finding it a bit frustrating and wonder if it's more trouble than it's worth. The literature says that it gives you more leverage and makes tighter j-channels. How much more leverage and how much tighter I don't know... I don't have the experience to compare it.
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01-29-2009, 10:29 PM
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#4
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Pro
Trade:
Siding, Windows, Seamless Gutters, Metal Roofing
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,734
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without the floating hinge, hemming is a bitch, cause the metal always wants to slip out, it gets even worse in the winter time when you get a little frost on it. I have used both tapco and van mark. I have a tapco now, the only thing I like better about the vanmark is the handle is easier to lock. Its hard to switch back and forth between brands cause the handles lock in oposite directions, and you get really messed up switching after using one style for a long time.
__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.
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01-29-2009, 10:34 PM
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#5
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Registered User
Trade:
Window and Door Replacement
Join Date: Jan 2009
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So, Patrick, are you saying that you prefer the Van Mark II over the Van Mark I?
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01-29-2009, 10:40 PM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
Siding, Windows, Seamless Gutters, Metal Roofing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windowjim
So, Patrick, are you saying that you prefer the Van Mark II over the Van Mark I?
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If someone was going to buy one for me  I can bend anything, on any brake, except one of those windy pieces of crap (its not that I cant, its that I wont)
__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.
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01-31-2009, 04:45 PM
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#7
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Member
Trade:
home improvements
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: south shore , mass
Posts: 63
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you got that right about switching between the two, it gets to be like clockwork then you change brakes and your all messed up.
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01-31-2009, 10:39 PM
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#8
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Pro
Trade:
siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
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hemming a pain in the neck  especially the wider pcs im always kinking it
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02-02-2009, 12:49 AM
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#9
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Member
Trade:
Windows and Doors
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North Central Illinois
Posts: 70
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My brake is a tapco, but my mentor/friend has a markI (beautiful). Sometimes he will recruit my crew to help him out on bigger jobs, and if I go to use his brake I inevitable line my marks up where they should be and .... pull back to loosen the jaws instead of clamping. Aaargh. I like the handles on my tapco because there is two independent handles so I can stand in between them, whereas witht the van mark I have to either back up or stand to the side.
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02-02-2009, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Pro
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Siding, Windows, Seamless Gutters, Metal Roofing
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grob62
I like the handles on my tapco because there is two independent handles so I can stand in between them, whereas witht the van mark I have to either back up or stand to the side.
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Yes but at least with the Vanmark there is no risk of injury
__________________
Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.
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02-02-2009, 07:41 AM
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#11
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Pro
Trade:
siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
Posts: 1,856
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funny Patrick
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