Tapco Reviews

The only flaws I have found is the rubber strip that prevent scratches on the leading edge of the brake is not pinched in place so it slids out of the track, the tape on the brake fades to the point it can not be read, the hindge points are made of steel and rust in time, the locking pins for the handles need to be replaced with latch pins. The balls rust and make it almost impossable to remove them.

Bender works great for light duty bending. I would suggest the next model up for bending 28ga. painted flashing. Machine came damaged from shipping, but tapco sent parts to repair. Good customer service, a little slow but they are very good to resolve the problem. Also suggest the pro cut off, sidewinder and snapstand. Thanks Tapco.

This is a great affordable tool for those who need a portable bender. It's not just a siding bender. I've used it to make copper drain pans as well. You can't go over 16 guage, but the results are consistant and two people can bend a full 3X10 sheet of copper into just about any configuation. The 19" throat is not high enough to work like a pan brake, but you can compensate by figureing out the bends from the center out. Easy to keep in adjustment and two people can move it with ease. The Pro Cutoff is a keen accessory that will give your cuts nice edge.

The Sidewinder makes feeding coil stock a breeze. It eliminates any wrinkling and the need to feed the stock out of the box. The coil carriage. The Pro-Cutoff tool is a must when using the Sidewinder. The Pro-Cutoff will cut the stock about two inches past the end of the brake so allow for this when cutting stock to length. The only caveat is the additonal weight at the end of the brake, especially with wider coil widths and lengths. The additional weight will on ocassion allow the operator to lift the left end of the brake off the ground but is only noticeable when bending stock at near the full length of the 10'6" brake. Changing the stock is a snap so much so that I am considering additional coil cradles to allow different color stock or a second coil to be finish side up or down to be left loaded. The coil cradle simply lifts off and it is relatively simple to change coils. After using this tool I would not want to go back to the old way of handling coil stock.

I am a professional building contractor that has been using the sidewinder for 3 years now. Not only does it save time in cutoffs, it keeps my coil stock clean and dent free. I could not imagine ever going back to the old method of unrolling the coil on a bench or even the ground and scoring and bending to cut. A very worthwhile investment for any serious mechanic.

I've had the sidewinder for two years now, I don't know how I managed without it.I have had no problems with the sidewinder,a great investment.

I used the Pro Cut-Off for the first time and was amazed at how easy and distortion free it cut the material on the brake. It absolutely eliminates ANY need for knifing the material on the brake. I have seen a number of brakes with knife damage on the hinges. Since my Pro III brake was new and I did not want to "dork it up". Seen too many of these brakes damaged in this fashion. Seems odd that one would spend $1200+ dollars on a brake only to drop a utility knife into the hinge of the brake time and time again.

I purchased the cut off tool. If for nothing else the Cut-Off tool is much faster and cleaner than the knife method. I would definetly recommend the use of the tool for anyone who has a brake. My only concern has to do with Tapco showing hanging the Cut-Off tool on the storage/coupler nut on the end of the brake. I was a bit suspiscious of using this method ans instead use a small table next to the brake to hold the tool and other misc items, e.g. pencils, sample profiles, paper pad with measurements, gaging blocks. etc. This tool gets my shiny side up recommendation.

I purchased both the Sidewinder, and the Pro Cut-Off at the same time, I'm glad I did, it sure speeds the operation up. I have found nothing wrong with this tool, I highley recommend it.

I bought one last year for my Tapco siding cutoff table and it sure makes it easy to move the table around the job-site while siding a house. I can wheel it right up into the constuction trailer for the night or a secure garage and in the morning there it is ready to go as appossed to trying to take-down and set-up the siding table on sawhorses every time I needed to move it. I'm sure it works the same on a Tapco brake.

I'm rating a 5 star but I have one problem with the product. It comes with some awsome mounting brackets for a Tapco aluminum brake, but to mount "their" siding table you have to use a pair of 2x4s instead of the mounts included. Pretty cheap of Tapco if you ask me. I sure wish they'ed resolve this lack of insight and send me a pair of mounting brackets. But all in all I think it is a grat product, and well worth the money spent.

I had a bender on a poor set of legs. I always had to have help moving it since it had no wheels. Now it is a one man operation.
I was concerned about being able to remove the legs for transprotation to the job. It is great. Just pull 4 pins and away you go. No problems.

This is the best brake money can buy. I have used my brother in law's to cap the exposed trim around my garage door opening and now I'm ready to tackle the rest of my house! The hemming capability strengthens the material and gives your work a real professional look. The brake is well made and built to last.

After hearing about the cubersome and heaviness of the pro max from other contractors. Tapco has come up with a winner in the Mini trax siding table. What a great idea to shift the material and not the table to make some very unique cuts. With thier hold down bar I can have my twelve year old cut the siding with totally saftey in mind. I showed my Mini trax to some other siders and I believe they are going to sell of thier pro max and pick up this new marvoulous item from Tapco. I am totally please with its compactness, its ease of transport and its use. I wish more companies would design thier tools around the need of the contractor and not the need of the tool. Some how someone listened to the demand for a reliable, portable and great tool.

I use this tool mainly for making brick moulding profiles. As recieved I found the screw that holds the dies in place keep falling out or would screw itself so tight it would jam the dies. I had to install a flat washer to act as a thrust bearing and apply Loc-Tite blue to the screw. The way the case is moulded requires you to have to spend time screwing the dies in or out to get it into position to use it each time. And time is money.

THIS TOOL IS A TIME SAVER AND EASY TO USE. MAKES TIRMING DOORS AND WINDOWS A BREEZE.

I thought I was purchasing the Tapco Multi-Angle Table as pictured, BUT NO this table has no legs!! The snap stand, wheels, and extended top pictured are an additional $370. There is no manual or further instructions to tell you that the other items are not included. Have not used the tool yet in order to rate it. Am optimistic about its value and performance though. Would appreciate a discount or coupon from Amazon to compensate for misleading web page.Regards, Chris Bornman

P.S. Had to enter a star rating to get this to send. Not accurate because have yet to use the tool. Waiting for legs.

Great saw, could be made a little easier to use, but it gets the job done.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD SAW TABLE. I'VE DONE VINYL SIDING FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS AND THIS IS THE BEST TABLE OUT THERE. IT IS WELL BUILT AND EASY TO USE. THE REASON I GAVE IT 4 STARS IS EVERY THING IS MADE FOR ALUMINUM EXCEPT FOR THE HANDLE THAT IS PLASTIC. I WOULD ALSO BUY THE STAND.

I am not familiar with this device. I am looking for a siding forming machine for a one time siding job.I thought this might be it. I am a novice remodeler and am seeking information .Thank you for any information you can provide.

This is by far the best machine made in the industry, I use mine every day it will be as small as .25" a must buy with this is the side winder