Short answer: for aluminum trim coil on siding and window jobs, a 14-inch-throat Mark II TrimMaster covers most work. For 26 gauge painted steel, step up to a heavy-duty model. For 24 gauge painted steel or .050 aluminum, you need an industrial brake: the Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster or the Industrial Metal Master 20. Choose a 20-inch throat when you bend wide pieces.
Read the capacity line first
Van Mark rates every brake by the thickest metal it will bend. The ratings assume standard coil and sheet: 3003-H14 aluminum and Grade D painted steel. For anything else, Van Mark asks you to call the factory.
Throat depth limits how wide a piece you can bend. Van Mark built the Metal Master 20 for the metal roofing trade, with a 20-inch throat. The hinge matters for hems. The POWERslot hinge on the TrimMaster and Metal Master lines auto-measures a 5/8-inch hem. The Mark I’s traditional hinge auto-measures a 3/4-inch hem. Every brake below carries a one-year limited warranty from Van Mark.
Van Mark brake families compared
| Family | Throat | Lengths | Max aluminum | Max painted steel | 10’6″ weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trim-A-Brake II | 13-3/8″ | 2’0″ to 12’6″ | .024″ | Not listed | 91 lb |
| Mark I Series | 14″ | 2’0″ to 12’6″ | .027″ | 29 ga | 120 lb |
| Mark II TrimMaster Pro-Grade | 14″ | 2’0″ to 12’6″ | .032″ | 29 ga | 123 lb |
| Mark II TrimMaster Heavy-Duty | 14″ | 6’6″ to 14’6″ | .032″ | 26 ga | 163 lb |
| Metal Master 20 Pro-Grade | 20″ | 2’0″ to 12’6″ | .027″ | 29 ga | 148 lb |
| Metal Master 20 Heavy-Duty | 20″ | 6’6″ to 14’6″ | .032″ | 26 ga | 174 lb |
| Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster | 14″ | 6’6″ to 14’6″ | .050″ | 24 ga | 211 lb |
| Industrial Metal Master 20 EZ | 20″ | 6’6″ to 14’6″ | .050″ | 24 ga | 259 lb |
Copper and galvanized ratings follow the same steps. The Mark I, Mark II Pro-Grade and Metal Master 20 Pro-Grade take 24 oz copper. The heavy-duty models take 32 oz. The two industrial brakes take 36 oz copper and 20 gauge galvanized steel.
Who each brake is for
Trim-A-Brake II: occasional trim work
Van Mark sells this as its entry-level brake for simple bends. It handles .024-inch aluminum and bends up to 130 degrees. The throat is 13-3/8 inches, with a 3/8 by 13 inch working pocket. For hemming, Van Mark points you to its TrimMaster models. It is not compatible with the TrimCutter.
In the catalog: T450 4’6″, T1050 10’6″ and T1250 12’6″. Pair it with the Trim-A-Brake folding legs.
Mark I Series: light-duty siding and trim
The Mark I is Van Mark’s light-duty brake for siding, windows, doors and trim. It bends .027 aluminum, 29 gauge steel and .032 soft zinc. See the Mark I 10’6″ in the catalog.
Mark II TrimMaster: the remodeler’s daily brake
Van Mark calls the TrimMaster the workhorse for remodeling contractors. The Pro-Grade bends .032 aluminum and 29 gauge steel. The Heavy-Duty adds 26 gauge steel, 32 oz copper and .040 zinc, in lengths up to 14’6″. Its 10’6″ and longer models come with dual bending handles. See the Mark II TM-Series 10’6″ and the Mark II TrimMaster Heavy Duty 14’6″.
Metal Master 20: deep throat for roofing trim
This is the TrimMaster idea with a 20-inch throat. The Pro-Grade bends .027 aluminum and 29 gauge steel. The Heavy-Duty bends .032 aluminum, 26 gauge steel and 32 oz copper, up to 14’6″ long. See the Metal Master 20 10’6″ and the Metal Master 20 14’6″.
Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster: painted steel, 14-inch throat
Van Mark lists this brake for metal roofing and architectural work, in the shop or on site. Its headline use is bending and hemming 24, 26 and 29 gauge painted steel on site. It bends .050 aluminum, 24 gauge painted steel, 20 gauge galvanized and 36 oz copper. The Xtreme Stand is included and sets up with six pins. See the IT10-S 10’6″ and IT14-S 14’6″.
Industrial Metal Master 20 EZ: most capacity, deepest throat
It has the same capacity as the Mark IV with a 20-inch throat. The Master Stand EZ is included. At 259 lb for the 10’6″ and 385 lb for the 14’6″, plan on help to move it. See the Industrial Metal Master 10’6″ and 14’6″.
Stands, legs and add-ons
Stands are sold by throat depth. Order the “1” version for 14-inch throats and the “2” version for 20-inch throats.
- UniStand EZ-Go (USA1EZ or USA2EZ): a steel stand with a center wheel, adjustable height and a four-piece breakdown. See the UniStand EZ-Go.
- UniStand Adjustable (USA1 or USA2) and UniLeg (UNL1 or UNL2): see the UniStand Adjustable, UniLeg 1 and UniLeg 2.
- Steel folding legs: the 3002 legs fit the Mark I and Mark II, as in our folding legs for Mark I and Mark II. Van Mark does not recommend folding legs or UniLegs for brakes over 12 feet.
- Wheel kits: Van Mark lists the 3004 kit for 14-inch brakes and the 3035 kit for the Metal Master 20. See the Van Mark wheel kit.
The two industrial brakes ship with their own stands. For feeding trim coil to the brake, see the Coil Cradle 24″ and the CD24 Coil Dispenser.
Slitters
A slitter cuts master coil down to trim widths. The Trim-A-Slitter comes in 24, 36 and 48-inch lengths. It slits aluminum up to .040 inch, painted steel up to 24 gauge and copper up to 24 oz. Optional motors run on 110 or 220 volts. The Industrial Slitter Combo is a 48-inch unit with a 110-volt motor feeding about 32 feet per minute. It includes a UniStand and a roller exit table. See the Trim-A-Slitter 24″ and the Industrial Slitter Combo 48″.
Before you buy: five questions
- What metal and gauge do you bend most? Match the capacity to your heaviest regular job, not the lightest.
- How wide is your widest piece? Throat depth is how far in from the edge of the sheet you can bend. Wide valley pans and caps call for the 20-inch throat.
- How long is your longest piece? Bending in one pass beats splicing.
- How often does it move? Weights at 10’6″ run from 91 lb for the Trim-A-Brake II to 259 lb for the Industrial Metal Master. Plan the stand and crew around that.
- Do you hem a lot? The POWERslot hinge auto-measures a 5/8-inch hem, which speeds up repeat work.
Quick picks
- Occasional aluminum trim: Trim-A-Brake II or Mark I.
- Daily siding and window trim to .032 aluminum: Mark II TrimMaster Pro-Grade.
- Roofing flashings in 26 gauge steel: Mark II Heavy-Duty, or Metal Master 20 Heavy-Duty for wide pieces.
- 24 gauge painted steel, .050 aluminum or heavy copper: Mark IV Industrial or Industrial Metal Master 20.
- Length: match your longest piece. The light lines stop at 12’6″. Heavy-duty and industrial lines reach 14’6″.
Check your coil against the gauge and weight chart before you choose.
Quick answers
Can a Mark II TrimMaster bend 24 gauge steel?
No. Van Mark rates the Pro-Grade for 29 gauge and the Heavy-Duty for 26 gauge painted steel. For 24 gauge painted steel, you need one of the industrial brakes.
Do I need a 20-inch throat?
Only if you bend wide pieces. Throat depth sets how far in from the edge a bend can go. Siding trim usually fits a 14-inch throat.
Sources
Figures in this guide come from the documents below or are calculated from them. Specs and warranty terms change, so check the current version before you order.
- Van Mark, Trim-A-Brake II (Entry Level)
- Van Mark, Mark I Series (Light Duty)
- Van Mark, Mark II TrimMaster (Pro-Grade)
- Van Mark, Mark II TrimMaster Heavy-Duty
- Van Mark, Metal Master 20 (Pro-Grade)
- Van Mark, Metal Master 20 Heavy-Duty
- Van Mark, Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster
- Van Mark, Industrial Metal Master 20 EZ
- Van Mark, UniStand EZ-Go (USA1EZ)
- Van Mark, UniStand 2 EZ-Go (USA2EZ)
- Van Mark, Trim-A-Slitter
- Van Mark, Industrial Slitter Combo
See every model on the Van Mark page, all bending brakes and brake stands and add-ons. Tell us the metal, gauge and longest bend, and we will quote the right brake.