How to Brake a Sheet Metal Flashing

Sheet metal flashing is an important material in home construction. Without sheet metal flashing, water would penetrate through your roof, the windows of your home would not keep out the outside elements and bugs could easily enter your home from openings around the eaves. All sheet metal flashing starts as a flat sheet of light gauge metal and is bent into the final shape. A length of flashing needs to be bent properly to ensure that it performs correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet metal shear
• Combination square
• Awl
• Sheet metal brake
• Degree-finder

Instructions

1. Cut the sheet metal to length and width with the sheet metal shear by setting the shear's back gauge, pressing a piece of sheet metal against the back gauge and depressing the pedal of the shear.

2. Transfer the cut piece of metal to a sturdy work surface.

3. Make two marks for each bend you need to place on the sheet metal by setting the combination square, placing the base of the combination square on the edge of the sheet metal, resting the awl against the edge of the square's blade and dragging the combination square along the sheet metal. Remember to mark the correct side of the sheet metal for each bend, as bends do not always face the same direction.

4. Push the clamping handle of the sheet metal brake away from you to open the clamping jaws of the brake, slide the piece of sheet metal into the brake, align the awl marks you placed on the sheet metal with the end of the clamping leaf and pull the clamping handle toward you to lock the metal in place. Make the bends closest to the edges of the sheet metal first and work your way to the center of the sheet metal.

5. Lift the bending leaf handle of the sheet metal brake to bend the sheet metal.

6. Release the sheet metal from the brake by opening the clamping leaf as described in Step 4 and check the bend with the degree-finder to ensure that you have the proper angle on the bend. If the bend is under the required degree, repeat Steps 4 and 5 to increase the degree of the bend.

7. Remove the sheet metal and repeat the previous three steps with each bend you need to make the sheet metal flashing.