Has anyone tried bending standing seam metal roof panels on a siding brake? I’ve seen what they look like and it looks doable. I only need to do a small porch roof (10’wide x 6’long). I’d welcome any advice, including “Don’t do it, you fool!”
Thanks…Gman
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Replies
Which metal? I'm told 16 oz. rigid copper is too stiff for a siding brake. But it's DIY friendly with the right seamers. I've done quite a bit. For me, copper's the answer.
If you're lucky, seeyou will be along shortly. He's probably forgotten more than I know about standing seam.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Edited 9/19/2005 9:31 pm ET by VaTom
I just finished three squares of 16 oz copper standing seam. I used a Tapco Max 10'-6" portable bender (I guess they know better than to call that POS a brake).
It's doable, but not much fun. The Tapco has a funny rubber flap that tends to slide the workpiece a little when you clamp it, and the edge it bends against has a sheet metal cover that's on loose. So, if +/- 1/4" is OK with you, it's easy. If you want more accurate work, you have to make up notch and block gauges to get the piece positioned accurately. Sometimes it takes a couple tries to get it right. For one of a kind bends, it may be better to use wood blocks and C-clamps to hold the metal while you close the Tapco. The Tapco also comes new from the factory with a little bit of a curve in it, the middle is about 1/8" deeper than the ends.
The Max model is rated for 32 oz. copper, and the Pro model for 16 oz. I did my valleys and gutters in 32, and the Max was no way adequate to bend 8 ft of it. The material is stiff enough that it would pop the brake open. For that, I ended up bending progressively with a 5 in 1 painter's tool to get the first 30 - 45 degrees, after which the Max would continue the bend. Subjectively, 32 oz. feels about four times stiffer than 16 oz.
The Tapco cutoff thing is adequate for 16 oz., but it's tricky to use. You have to put a lot of downward pressure on it, which isn't easy on wide pieces. You're royally screwed if it slips off the tracks.
The gadget that worked really well was the RAU #117 seam closer. It does both steps on the standing seam, you just turn it 180 degrees for the second pass. It's expensive for such a simple thing, but well worth it.
N.B. Handy in Roanoake VA had the best price on copper, even shipping it to Los Angeles.
BTW, where are you located?
-- J.S.
Thanks for the great input, John.
I think I have the same bender. I'll check tomorrow but it sounds familiar with the weird rubber thing. I had thought I'd like to do it in copper, I think 16 oz will be fine. Like I said, the roof is pretty small so it shouldn't be too bad. I'll definitely look up that seam closer. I knew I'd need something like that, but didn't know the name of it.
I'm in New Hampshire and racing the winter snows (as usual).
Thanks again...Gman
I have bent 16oz copper on my brake (not a Tappco) I can't think of the name right off but almost remember .