Tapco Aluminum Brake

Tapco is one of the leading manufacturers of aluminum bending brakes, making brakes designed for commercial applications, as well as non-commercial. The higher-end series are used mostly by siding professionals who have to form large quantities of aluminum or other siding material on a regular basis.

The Tapco aluminum brake MX series is a commercial brake series that is available in sizes of 8.5 feet, 10.5 feet, and 12.5 feet. The MX Series will bend aluminum up to 16 gauge (0.050 inch thickness). With the brake comes a stand and a commercial steel cutting device. The brake has double-walled pivot arms for maximum strength and a moving hinge system that increases bending power and does not mar the materials. The trapezoidal stance with wide plank is designed for the maximum in stability.

The MAX-I-MUM XL Series of Tapco aluminum brakes will bend soft aluminum up to 0.040 inches thick (between 19 and 20 gauge). It can be used for commercial, industrial, and architectural applications. It is made out of lightweight anodized alloys for the best portability and strength in one package, and has Tapco's specially designed pivot hinge for the best bending power and the best resistance to marring the materials. It can also do 180 degree overbends for easy hemming capapbility and is available in lengths of 8.5 feet, 10.5 feet, 12.5 feet, and 14.5 feet. It, too, comes bundled with a commercial cutting system.

The Pro 19 series of Tapco aluminum brakes comes in lengths of 6.5, 8.5, 10.5, and 12.5 feet. It can bend soft aluminum up to 0.030 inches (21 gauge). The throat depth is 19 inches, which is the largest in the industry, for the most efficient bending. This brake series can store material inside, to reduce necessary handling and flipping. It is made of lightweight anodized alloys and has 180 degree hemming ability.

The Pro 14 Series of Tapco aluminum brakes is also capable of bending soft aluminum of up to 0.030 inches thick (21 gauge) and has a 14 inch throat depth. It is made of durable, lightweight anodized alloys and has Tapco's patented Moving Pivot Hinge design as well as 180 degree hemming capacity. It is available in 8.5, 10.5, and 12.5 foot lengths, and the 10.5 foot version is also available in a Heavy Duty model.

The Windy SP Port-o-Brake is a popular Tapco Aluminum Brake for carpenters and those who need to be able to bend materials, but who do not handle large volumes of it on a daily basis. It is available in 8.5 and 10.5 foot sizes, and can bed 0.030 inch thick soft alumunum (21 gauge). The Windy SP Port-o-Brake has a 14 inch throat depth and a locking system designed to give great clamping ability without great effort and lock onto a wider range of thicknesses without adjustments. It has a bending edge made of stainless steel and depth gauges built right in. The Windy SP Port-o-Brake is able to make 130 degree bends and can be used with a PRO-Coiler to keep your metal coil off the ground and ready to go. The bending handle is removable for easy transport.

Choosing a Tapco aluminum brake or some other brand should be based on what kinds of jobs the machine will be needed for. For siding professionals who not only bend large volumes of material regularly and need the capability for perforating and creating grooves, then a top-end model will be the best choice, even though it may be more of an ordeal to transport to the job site. A general carpenter, on the other hand, may need to bend material for a soffit and then make flashing for a dormer, but then not need to do much metal bending. For this person, a smaller aluminum brake that is easier to carry to the job site may be best, even if it doesn't have all the extra features of a top-end machine.

The extras, such as cutting systems, are useful for siding professionals, but may not be necessary and may actually be in the way for those who work on smaller, more varied jobs. Tapco aluminum brakes come in a variety of sizes with a variety of capabilities. There are models that are just right for the person who only needs to do occasional bending, and models that are great for those who do large volume bending on a daily basis.