This document outlines a product knowledge course focused on bending equipment used in the construction industry, covering the different types of brakes and gutter machines available through Mitten. It details the features, selection criteria, and common applications for this equipment, emphasizing the importance of precision in achieving quality craftsmanship. Additionally, it provides insights into various manufacturers, including Tapco, Van Mark, Alum-A-Pole, New Tech Machinery, and KWM Gutterman, along with their specific products and offerings.

1. Product Knowledge Course
Introductory Level
BENDING EQUIPMENT 101

2. Bending Equipment 101
Bending and forming trim and gutter coil are
necessary to create the proper size and
angles of pieces that fit together to ensure a
quality, finished appearance on a home’s
exterior.
Different types of bending and forming
methods deliver varying results, and precision
equipment is critical to helping contractors
achieve excellent craftsmanship.
Mitten distributes best-in-class bending
equipment to the building industry with a full
line of brakes and gutter machines, all
designed to enhance jobsite productivity.
Objectives
_____________________________
By the end of this course, you will
understand:
1. What is a Brake?
2. How to select a Brake
3. Common shapes made by a Brake
4. Braking Equipment available through
Mitten
5. What is a Gutter Machine?
6. How a Gutter Machine works
7. How to select a Gutter Machine
8. Gutter Machines available through Mitten
9. Ordering and Support
Bending Equipment 101

3. What is a Brake?
Any home that replaces windows, or adds new siding could use a siding brake. They
are also known as sheet metal brakes and aluminum brakes. This equipment allows
for cutting and bending of flashing or aluminum coping around windows or doors and
for cladding soffit and fascia.
Features of Siding Brakes:
• Allows a person to quickly and simply bend vinyl, aluminum and even stainless
steel
• Brakes are available in several lengths
• Some brakes have a hem feature
• Brakes can be placed on stands or mounted inside or on a work vehicle
One of the most important benefits of a brake is that it allows you to
customize a profile or piece on the jobsite.

4. Common Shapes made by a Brake

5. How to select a Brake
Things to consider before buying a brake:
• Types of material it can bend
• Thickness or gauge of material it can accept
• Throat depth
• Width of equipment or the length of material it can accept
• Bending radius and power
• How easy it is to operate and transport
• Manufacturer’s warranty
• Available options: slitter for cutting sheets to width, coil mount, ability to hem
Hem

6. Who is Tapco?
The Tapco Group manufactures building materials. The company offers roof
ventilation products, siding products, shutters and accessories, tool systems,
window wells, trim and molding products, and decking products to distributors,
architects, contractors, and home owners.
It serves customers through wholesale, specialty, and retail channels in the United
States and internationally. It was founded in 1961 in Wixom, MI.
Tapco ProSeries Brakes

7. Pro 14 Brake
Powerful bending in a compact design
makes the PRO 14 a reliable brake for the
busy siding professional.
The PRO 14 combines a 14” throat depth
with a wide 2-3/8” mouth opening and
patented inside working pockets to bend all
vinyl and soft aluminum up to .030,
galvanized steel up to 28 ga., and copper
sheet & coil up to 16 oz. Tapco Brakes carry
a one year warranty.
Pro 19 Brake
With a 19" throat depth — the industry’s
largest — the PRO 19 delivers added value
with more efficient bending, storing material
inside the brake to reduce time-consuming
handling and flipping of material.
The 8’6” version of the PRO 19 weighs in at
just 96 lbs. for maximum portability (10’6”
and 12’6” versions are also available.)
Tapco ProSeries Brakes

8. Who is Van Mark?
Van Mark is a manufacturer of portable bending brakes, saw tables, slitters and
gutter hood roll forming tools for the construction trades.
In business for over 50 years, they have made a name in the industry by providing
some of the strongest portable bending brakes found anywhere in the world.
Van Mark Brakes

9. Van Mark Trim Master Series Brakes
Products: MARK I and MARK II SERIES
What is the difference between the Mark I (red) and
Mark II TrimMaster (green) brakes?
The hinge.
The Mark I has a fixed hinge and the Mark II TrimMaster
has a POWERslot hinge. The POWERslot hinge makes a
standard 5/8" bend and the fixed hinge makes a standard
3/4" bend.
Both the Mark I and Mark II TrimMaster brakes can bend
light gauge aluminum, steel and copper typically found in
residential siding applications.
Van Mark Brakes carry a one year warranty for defects in
material or workmanship.

10. Alum-a-pole Corp. Alum-a-Brake
• Aluminum Siding Brake
• Hems, slits and bends all common material
including vinyl coil.
• 10' 6" Alum-A-Pole / Alum-A-Brake Ultima Plus
Includes: Rigid removable aluminum work
table. Takes only 5 seconds. 4 Maximizers. 2
Scissor hands. Slitter Guide Bar. Built-in track-
mounted slitter. Power locks permit 1/4"
bends. Lifetime wearable parts warranty.
• Options:
• Coil Holder
• Alum-A-Brake Legs
• Alum-A-Brake Wheels
Who is Alum-a-Pole?
Alum-A-Pole and its other
divisions, Pro-Trim , Alum-A-
Brake, and Alu-Marine products,
are manufactures of
scaffolding, siding brakes and
accessories.

11. What is a Gutter Machine?
Seamless gutter installations make up over 80% of all
gutter installations, mainly because they are more
attractive, stronger, and are less likely to leak.
Gutter machines bend and form gutter coil into
seamless gutters. Unlike a brake, this equipment can
bend and form continuous pieces of coil into very long
lengths.
A motorized, roller system drives the coil material
through the machine. A mechanical, guillotine-style
cutter, fitted with steel cutting tools, cleanly cuts the
ends when the desired length is reached.
Common Gutter Styles

12. How to select a Gutter Machine
• Horse Power
• Speed
• Controls
• Forming
• Maximum gauge of materials formed
Things to consider before buying a Gutter Machine:

13. New Tech Machinery Gutter Machines
Who is New Tech Machinery?
New Tech Machinery is one of the leading portable rollforming manufacturers in the
world.
New Tech has manufactured roof panel and gutter machines since 1991 and, to
date, has sold machines in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

14. 5” & 6” Seamless Gutter Machines
Standard Features:
• Polyurethane Drive Rollers
• Stainless Steel Forming Rollers
• Push Button RUN/JOG Controls at Entry and Exit Ends
• Forward Pulling, Easy Cut Shear
• Power Interruption Safety Circuit
• Two 360º Rotatable Reel Stands with Easy Lift Reels
• Electric Motor ¾ HP, 110 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 Phase, 11 amps
• Welded Tubular Steel Frame
• 3 Year Parts & Labour Warranty (Including Electrical)
• Limited Lifetime separation on drive rollers and stainless
steel forming rollers
Mach II 5” & Mach II 6”
New Tech Machinery Gutter Machines

15. KWM Gutterman Inc. Gutter Machines
Who is KWM Gutterman?
KWM Gutterman are the one of the largest manufacturers and #1 seller of gutter
machines in the USA.
More than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing and service of gutter
machines helps KWM craft one of the highest quality roll forming products on the
market today.

16. Products: Seamless Rollformers
• Rollforms 24 gauge steel
• Polyurethane drive train with steel rollers
• Electrical and control system
• 3/4 HP, 110 volt, single phase motor, 13.6 ampere
• Structural steel frame
• Eliminates the need to load coil prior to transportation
(less material waste)
• Transfer bars (ease of coil loading)
• 3 year parts & labour warranty on all mechanical
components
• 1 year parts & labour warranty on all electrical
components
Iron Man Gutter Machine

17. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department at
1-888-MITTEN4.

18. Ordering and Support
To order, contact Mitten’s customer service department
at 1-888-MITTEN4.
Quiz
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