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what brake should i buy?

5587 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  jethro66
i am in the market for a new sheet metal brake, i currently have an old van mark trim brake 10'6". looking at a tapco. any opinions?
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I've only owned 2 Tapco Pro II and Pro III 10'6" and my gramps owned a Pro III 8' over the past 20yrs and they've done everything i've ever needed and are easily serviced. Have'nt spend much time on a Van Mark since the area is saturated with Tapco brand stuff.
Personally I like our Tapco Pro II 10' 6". There are sometimes I wish I had the 12' 6" one, but they are a little harder to move around. I have used a Vanmark as well, and what I have found out is that it is all on what you are use to using. The biggest diffrence I can think of is that the Vanmark handle you push it away to lock material down, and the Tapco you pull it towards yourslf. One piece of advice I would advise is, get a wheel kit for it. They make it alot easier to move around if your by yourself.
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I'll vote for Van Mark trim master, I've got the shorty and love it. Check out their new metal master, looks like a beast...
I got a chance to use the alum a pole break a few months ago and it was a nice brake. I borrowed it from a friend. There was a few things that I didnt care for to much though. The one i used had the table or what ever you call it on the top to lay the metal on it. That made the brake a lot heavier then a normal brake. The other thing was that it seemed alot harder to lock then I am use to. It might of just been that brake but I am not sure.

If I was going to leave the brake in a shop then I would get the alumapole brake.
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thanks Paul, One thing I Don't want is a very heavy break. Since I will be taking it off and on my pu racks mostly by myself.
Another vote for the Vanmark.I've only owned two in 25 years and they've been daily workhorses.
Only moving part that wears are the nylon shims.A cinch to keep in adjustment as well.just remember to lightly oil the springs every couple of years under the jaws.
The only thing I didn't like was when they went from 6 jaws to 5.Wedges wear faster.
my buddy swears by his trimabrake cause theyre light.i like our tapco proIII.
Another vote for the Vanmark.I've only owned two in 25 years and they've been daily workhorses.
Only moving part that wears are the nylon shims.A cinch to keep in adjustment as well.just remember to lightly oil the springs every couple of years under the jaws.
The only thing I didn't like was when they went from 6 jaws to 5.Wedges wear faster.
Could not of said it better myself another vote to the vanmark Recommend the trim a table as well
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