I was always told not to use one on wire that it could ruin the jaw surface. I have talked to a number of guys that do use them. Whats your opinion ? I have seen some homemade brakes for making traps that had a piece of round stock right at the bend to keep the wire from cracking.

I use one on 14 gage wire all the time to make my traps. Never had a problem.

It may depend on the construction of the brake in question. There are some lightweight brakes out there that are fine for light gauge aluminum and then there are brakes for sheet steel.

As a general rule of thumb, most trim brakes are not manufactured to handle metal thicker than 26 ga or aluminum thicker than .032 inches (the average thickness of trim coil from a home improvement store is .018). A metal brake on the other hand is manufactured to handle material a lot thicker.

I own a 3 ft metal brake rated for 12ga or lighter that I do all my wire bends on and a 10 1/2 ft VanMark trim brake that is only used for aluminum. I started with the metal brake for everything but then noticed that it no longer had a smooth jaw after bending some 14ga wire with it.

I'd never bend wire on a trim brake regardless of its gauge, especially if I was planning on using it for aluminum or copper. Not only does wire ruin the jaws causing a rough surface that could easily scratch, but you'd also be putting a lot of stress on the wedges due to the materials gauge which may result in uneven bends in the future due to the brake being out of alignment.

Thanks, Eric, that is exactly what I was thinking of. I know the breaks meant for coil stock and trim will easily get all out of whack if used on to heavy stock and the rough wire would do a number of the jaw surfaces.

Any suggestions on a good first break for general exclusion work. I've been clamping angle and flat to make my bends.

Ttt

the one from harbor freight is good,,,,,,Grizzlys is better,,,,,both cheaper then the one previously listed

I use a 12' Wisconsin press brake, 3/4 die on the bottom and 1/8" die on the top. Works pretty good after I get it set up.

We have been using a Malco brand 4ft brake for many years now. We build traps, chimney caps and bend wire and aluminum for all sorts of needs.Our primary wire is 1/2" x 1/2" x 16 ga GAW wire and is relatively stiff. We also use vinyl coated 1"x 1" and smaller grid wire for barrier work and still going strong to this day.

http://malcoproducts.com/product/hvacr/metal-duct/seamers-folding-tools-brake/mini-brake-portable

Is that it Bob?

Don't know about Bob but that's the one I got. My son-in-law is into cars and he loves it.

That's the one I have. It's a beast! Doesn't exactly feel portable or mini when you have to move it around.

Get one of them cheap 36" ones at habor frieght that's what I keep on my truck works good for wire . Here's a video of a attic fan cap I made on the job with that cheap brake . Little wrangling and crazy set that did work


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNtFRVxem0Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Yes that is the model I have Jason.

You can get a stand for it also to use it free standing but I just set mine on the tail gate for most work.It is not a light weight unit, but it does a great job on everything I have used it for.