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House siding brake works well

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bretttdc(at)yahoo.com
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Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 8:43 am Post subject: House siding brake works well

I have heard it rumored many times that a standard aluminum siding brake will not work for building a Zenith.  The reason given is that it does not have sufficient radius at the bend.  THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE. 

  

 I came across a ten foot siding brake yesterday at a yard sale.   After studying it for a while I figured I could modify the shoe to give the desired radius.  I bought it at the bargain price of one hundred dollars.  When I got it home I made a bend.  I was thrilled when I laid a one quarter inch drill bit in he bend and it showed I had a perfect one eight inch radius bend!  Just what Chris H ordered.  A great brake for ten dollars a foot.  That is a bargain.  It is compact and portable as well.

  

 ps:  Still looking for some one to share my hangar in northwest Houston.  It is a bargain.

 If interested call me at 713-589-9988.

  

 Brett

 N858BH

 STOL 95% and 35% to go.

  

  



 [quote][b]

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VideoFlyer(at)aol.com
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Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 9:55 am Post subject: House siding brake works well

I found that getting a proper radius on the bend is not the problem with an aluminum siding brake.   MY PROBLEM is holding a LONG piece of .025 (or thicker) with sufficient force to keep it from slipping....particularly if you are making a 20mm flange.  I tried using a siding brake when I first started my project.  For small pieces it was OK.   The longer pieces were a different story.  I kept adjusting the clamping force tighter and tighter...until I could barely close the brake.  I finally broke down and bought a box/pan brake from Harbor Freight.  The difference was like night and day.  I still can't bend the long stuff...but I took those pieces (there's only about 4 or 5) to a jobber.  

 

 Now...having said that, I know that there are different kinds of siding brakes..  Some will do an eighth inch radius bend...others do a sharp 90 degree bend.  Some have a rubber edge on the moving plane (like mine).  It keeps from scuffing the siding but makes it difficult to work with all but the thinnest aluminum.  

 

 I hope you can make the siding brake work.  If you can, you got a good deal.  I'm just relating my own experience.

 

 Dave Harms

 601XL/Corvair  [quote][b]

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n4546v(at)mindspring.com
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Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2006 4:29 pm Post subject: House siding brake works well

Here's a pic of the Tapco brake bending  lite "L".  I built up the sharp nose to achive the radius with layers  of aluminum flashing.  I also had to adjust the clamp down pressure to the  max to clamp material in place.  I've bent every piece for a 701, .032 and  under, including the landing gear channel, etc.  The .040 pieces such as  the rear fuse longerons are too thick for this brake.  For more discussion  about these brakes, search the archives with the term "tapco".  All in all  it has done the job.

  

 Just so I could bend the .040 & larger, I found  & bought a used Roper-Whitney 8' x 16 ga shop brake, now I can bend it  all.  I still use the tapco for the thinner stuff.

  

 Regards,

  

 Randy L. Thwing, Las Vegas

  

  

  

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