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Bending your own door and window flashing.

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TaylorMadeAB

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm looking at investing in a good metal brake so I can start bending my own flashing on site. I'm just looking for some input on which machines are crucial, and if it even would be worth it.
I've had so many situations where there isn't the time to get custom bent flashings made up, but if I could do simple ones on site it would really complete the job.
I'm talking about cladding brickmold, funky drip caps, and ledger flashings.
Do any of you guys do this, and is it worth it to learn?
 
#3 ·
I have the 10' 6" Tapco because I'm a wimp.

Very worthwhile to have. Sometimes it's goes to the job for custom stuff, other times you can make it at the shop and take it with you.

Either way, very worth it.

We also do our own wrapping on vinyl siding jobs now.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
country_huck said:
If you do a good share of ext work, I would say it's definitely worth it.
Click to expand...

I do a good amount of outdoor work. But really I want to start doing more oddball window and door changouts, repairs. In my area it's a niche that hasn't been tapped yet. Nobody can find a guy to come replace 1 window, and I can pretty much charge a full day to do it.

What are the costs for those machines you guys have?
 
#7 ·
Like said if you much exterior work you really need to have one. Alot better to be able to make flashings, caps right on site. I have a Tapco Black Max 10.5 mounted in my trailer that I can bend steel coil on. I have no clue how some guys get by without one. Think mine was upwards of 2500 when bought it 10 years ago. Also I would buy a new one over a used one unless find one that has been taken good care of. And a 10 foot on is nice to have too over say like a 8 foot one.
 
#8 ·
If you're doing mainly window and door wraps, then the 10'-6" size all you will need. The 12'-6" is nice if you do a lot of siding trim and especially fascia.

I used to sell Tapco products when I was on the wholesale side of the business. One nice thing about Tapco is the accessories they have available for their brakes. The one essential accessory IMHO, is their Brake Buddy. It allows you to put bends in your runs to simulate brickmold.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Well thanks for the replies guys. I'm upgrading to a 16' trailer this winter, so I'll probably dedicate a side to the brake. Possibly with a fold-down top that I can use as counter space when I don't need the brake.
 
#12 ·
I have the Tapco 10'6" its is ageless and valuable. Probably best tool per return value.

Today I replaced doors and storm doors. The house had white chalky aluminum siding. It was done over shakes so the siding stuck out on top of the brick mold. Back in the day So many idiots were too lazy to case the door so the run the siding over brick mold and Jay to the storm door. That crap makes me have to surgically carve out the opening to access the door. :mad:
I put more lipstick on more pigs imaginable. the brake allow s me to recreate old Jays,oversized whatever.

Really useful skill and tool.
 
#13 ·
I carry around a pro 14 and always find a way to use it few times a week. Example ...today's job realized customer had a few rakes that blew off and a piece of fascia missing. Made a few extra bucks and customer was happy

Tuesday customer had short shingles so bent up a hundred or so feet of 2x3 and solved that problem as well.

Best $1300 I've spent




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#15 ·
A brake will take up a fair bit of valuable wall space in your trailer. Give it some thought if you will use it often enough to really be worthwhile to dedicate that space. You'll almost always know if you'll need it, or even might need it on a job ahead of time. For me, it's better just to load it up for those occasionally.

Brake can be super useful problem solvers to own. Customized onsite is invaluable. Occasionally handy on interior too. Oddball covers, heat run extensions in toe kicks, ... I've made a few laundry chutes out of PVC coil for bathrooms. Much cleaner looking than duct stock, and you customize to what you need, including tapers, pressure fitting, or whatever.

Used one might fit your needs fine. Depends. Significant difference in cost. Like more than 2k. Do some test bends if you go used. Sight them for straight. See if it will hem well. Etc. Probably could sell the used one for almost full recoup if you decide to upgrade later. That all said, I sure wish I had a nice new one in perfect tune. Just can justify the cost for the little bit I use it these days.

In case you don't know -Brick mold is not hard to do by hand. The brick accessory is probably dam nice --if you do the volume to justify it. Also remember alum & treated do not get along at all. Wrapping with an isolator can be done to overcome this.

I actually have 2 brakes I need to sell. One in Alaska and one in Buffalo NY area. If by chance anyone in those areas has interest, give me a shout.

You won't regret getting one Good luck with it.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Well I've pretty much decided to get a 10'6". It's the sort of thing that I'll find I need it on the fly, and won't want to go home to grab it. So I'll be incorporating it into my trailer set up. Do any of you find that you need lots of room behind it or on either end when you're bending?
 
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TaylorMadeAB
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