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Working with coil stock

Biff_Loman | Posted in Construction Techniques on August 5, 2008 12:32pm

I’ve never done it, and I have one window to cap. Someone never got around to it, though the rest of the house is done.

So: suggestions? Can a guy get by without a brake?

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  1. User avater
    Sphere | Aug 05, 2008 12:36am | #1

    Wrapping the trim and sill? No.

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

    You gonna play that thing?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Ln-SpJsy0

    1. Biff_Loman | Aug 05, 2008 12:43am | #2

      ####.This could be more of a task than I'd secretly hoped.

      Edited 8/4/2008 5:44 pm ET by Biff_Loman

  2. Piffin | Aug 05, 2008 12:53am | #3

    somebody in town has one you could use, surely

     

     

    Welcome to the
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  3. USAnigel | Aug 05, 2008 01:43am | #4

    They can be rented. Phone around. Or look on craigs list, be quick cause thay go fast. On this job look how the other windows were done and copy it.

    At the end resell the brake on craigs list. You could use mine but I'm in NJ.

  4. frammer52 | Aug 05, 2008 02:10am | #5

    Ask at work if their sider has one, measure and bend, he will probably help.

  5. mike_maines | Aug 05, 2008 03:59am | #6

    For one window, yes, you can get by.  Start with a stout plank, say a 2x10, and rip a square edge.  Set the trim coil so 1/2" (or whatever you want the lip to be) overhangs the edge.  Tack the back corners of the trim coil to the 2x10 so it doesn't slip.  Set a 2x4 on top of the 2x10, lining up the front edges.  Clamp securely to the 2x10.  Using a 2' length of 2x4, gently tap the edge of the aluminum down until it's flat against the narrow edge of the 2x10.

    Unclamp the assembly and un-tack the trim coil, slide it forward an inch or whatever the depth of your head casing is, re-tack and re-clamp.  Then use the 2x4x2' to gently tap the leading edge upward.

    Voila.  Drip cap for one window, or a sill pan, or whatever else you want it to be.  I don't know at what point it makes sense to just buy a brake, I'm sure I've passed it a couple times over, but it's effective and not terribly slow for one-off work.  Just make sure to tack the back edge every few feet or you'll get curved work.

  6. MSA1 | Aug 05, 2008 04:53am | #7

    Can you find a siding guy close to your site? I could see him coming down at lunch for (probably $20) and putting in one piece for you.

     

     

     

    Family.....They're always there when they need you.

  7. Jim_Allen | Aug 05, 2008 05:18am | #8

    How big is the cap? 3' wide? 3" of coil?

    There are many ways to skin this cat.

    Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  8. User avater
    Matt | Aug 06, 2008 01:28am | #9

    Even for just one piece it's hard to get professional looking results withoug a break unless it's pretty small like 2"x3"x3" or some such.

    Here is the thing though.  Siders bend up their metal and then take it to the location to install it - be it 30' or 30 miles (but it's usually 30').  The insinuation being that if you just need one piece, look carefully how the other windows were done, do some measuring, draw up the profile you need and then go find someone with a break (and the skill to use it) and get him to bend the piece.  Then take it home and install it.

    Here is a clue - You will probably need the little white nails.  Get the SS ones - not the Al ones.

    1. Jim_Allen | Aug 06, 2008 02:15am | #10

      Our siding suppliers always let us use their brakes if we bought the stock from them. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

      1. User avater
        Matt | Aug 06, 2008 02:40am | #11

        You mean like borrow it and take it to site, or use it on their premises?

        1. Biff_Loman | Aug 06, 2008 02:44am | #12

          I talked to a siding contractor today. ;-) I'm good to go. . . Heh.

        2. Jim_Allen | Aug 06, 2008 04:18am | #13

          I've bent a lot of stock on their premises. In my later years I bought a brake. It's back in MI. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07

  9. JeffinPA | Aug 06, 2008 04:34am | #14

    I'll run my brake up to the 1000 islands this weekend.  You can pick it up, do the job and drop back off in the islands.

    Oh, wait a minute.  1 window.  might not be worth it.

    For the cost of metal, I'd ask a round and see if you can slip a guy a few bucks to cap it at the end of his day.

    He will surely have some aluminum on his truck and can whip up the trim in a few minutes. 

    You will likely pay him about the same as you would for a coil of stock and have the job done (assuming you are going with white or almond)

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