Replies

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Nov 21, 2006 06:30pm | #1

   What is reasonable?

   A new brake can cost from $1000 to $1400. Quite an investment for a one shot use. You can find them on E-bay for less, but as always, you need to know what you are buying.

   I have no expereince with vinyl trim, other than things like j and f channels used in soffit and siding installation. I use alum. coil stock to wrapall trim, etc. and then vinyl for soffits, etc.

    

   Dave

2. 
   JDRHI | Nov 21, 2006 09:53pm | #2

   Brakes are a huge expense....and an even bigger hassle to store when not in use. Why not rent one?

   As for aluminum vs. vinyl...aluminum can dent, where vinyl can crack.

   Alcoa aluminum products are good quality.

   Certain colors are more apt to fade than others.

   They make aluminum stock with a PVC finish that is supposed to stand up better to fading. I've not been around it enough to comment.

   FREE SPONGE BOB,SANCHO PANTS!

1. 
   davsco | Nov 21, 2006 10:23pm | #3

   thanks for the feedback!  so if you were wrapping the trim on your own house, what would you choose?  thought about renting, but will probably do over the course of a few weeks as time permits, and a hassle to take back and forth.  besides, i justified a bunch of tools i have (saws, nail guns, lasers, etc) by doing it myself, whether building or remodeling.  they've all paid for themselves and I learned OJT a lot of new stuff and of course pride in ownership.

1. 
   JDRHI | Nov 21, 2006 10:40pm | #6

   Like I said....not enough experience with the PVC to comment authoratively.

   Unless you're going with a color that might be somewhat out of the ordinary, I wouldn't be terribly concerned with fading.

   Just to reiterate...the storing of the brake can be a major hassle as well. I know you said you're planning on doing the work over time, but keep in mind that the bending can alll be done in one day. Just some food for thought....save the thousand dollars for some tools that will see more regular use. 

   FREE SPONGE BOB,SANCHO PANTS!

2. 
   jpeeks | Nov 21, 2006 10:28pm | #4

   I use pvc aluminum it does not bend as crisp as aluminum but also does not pit or fade and I think it looks better next to vinyl siding. 

3. 
   43Billh | Nov 21, 2006 10:39pm | #5

   I bought a Tapco "Windy" 10' break. It's just a basic model and it won't do certain bends the newer breaks will, and it is basic No Frills break. I would'nt want to make a living with it but it serves my purpose well. I paid something like $750 for it new.

   I did my house, my sun porch, my shed. Next year after I re-roof and cap the garage I'll sell it.

   If I sell for it for 1/2 of what I paid, I'm still way ahead of the game. Besides it's something I always wanted to try.

3. 
   Hazlett | Nov 22, 2006 02:35am | #7

    when you find out what a pain in the rear this type of project is, how much moving ladders and scaffolding is involved, and how tricky it is to actually trim this stuff and have it look good in the long run----

    you may change you mind about  some of those contractors  prices suddenly seeming more reasonable.

    none of our advice is gonna matter though, 'cause your mind is clearly made up------------------ but JD is dead right about storing the brake  being a hassle.

   Stephen

    BTW-- I can't fathom the mindset of a homeowner buying a brake for a one time project. A tablesaw, a router---sure--ya can always use those again--but a brake ????????

1. 
   JohnSprung | Nov 22, 2006 05:12am | #8

   OK, well, I'm unfathomable.  ;-)  I got a Tapco Max 10'-6" to do that copper roof on the old place.  I may sell it off after we're well settled in at the new place, and I've done the odds and ends of gutter work it needs.  It's on wheels, so it can stay in the garage, and just roll out of the way into the driveway when I need to get at stuff. 

   To the OP, given a chance to do it over, I'd look at Van Mark rather than Tapco, especially for wrapping trim.  The funny plastic flap and loose stainless cover on the Tapco make it very difficult to set it up accurately.  (I've never seen a Van Mark, it just seems to me that it would be extremely difficult to do worse than the Tapco.)  

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   seeyou | Nov 22, 2006 03:51pm | #13

   >>>>>>>I'd look at Van Mark rather than TapcoI've had several brakes of both brands and the Van Marks took more tuning. IIRC, they had more adjustment points and consequently got sloppier faster. I constantly replaced the rubber in the jaws on the Van Marks, also. I've never had to replace it in the Tapcos.http://logancustomcopper.com

   http://grantlogan.net/

    

2. 
   alwaysoverbudget | Nov 22, 2006 07:15am | #11

   heres how you justify it,common bid  around here to wrap all the trim on a house around here can run 5k-12k. buy a tapco brake 1200. 10 rolls of metal 750.as a ho your going to ruin some metal,but once you get the hang of it you can go out in the evening a do a window,weekends fascia,before summers over you got it done.run ad on brake for 750.next diy will buy .larry

    hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.

1. 
   Hazlett | Nov 22, 2006 02:54pm | #12

    don't forget to include

   " homeowner spends evenings and weekends all summer working for about $9/hour"

    I haven't seen to many homeowner siding jobs done like this that end up looking decent---- in fact I haven't seen ANY that I know of.

    I am sure they are out there--- I just haven't seen any that i know of.

    but- hey, don't take advice from me----- I have plenty of stupid stuff I am doing on MY house LOL

    Stephen

1. 
   bd | Nov 22, 2006 04:54pm | #14

   > " homeowner spends evenings and weekends all summer working for about $9/hour"LOL.........That's at least 20 times more than I make on most of my DIY projects, but I keep telling myself I'm having fun.........& probably paying for some past sins.

4. 
   Jemcon | Nov 22, 2006 05:24am | #9

   Where are you located? Fill out your profile by clicking your own name. Maybe then we can see what resonable is.

    

    

    

   Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!

1. 
   brownbagg | Nov 22, 2006 05:45am | #10

   we have a local sheet metal roofing supplier that bends all the roof panels. I alway just have him bend my trim too. I can get the pieces I need, instead of everything at once.