Why Choose a Mach II 5″/6″ Combo Portable Gutter Machine?
What’s the difference between a 5″ and 6″ gutter? Your customers may not think an inch is much, but a 6″ gutter holds 40% more water than a 5″. That’s a significant difference if you think about the damage that can result from an overflowing gutter. On the other hand, customers can save money on a 5″, so no point in stepping up if you don’t need to.
In today’s market, you may get demand for both. Some folks may opt for erring on the side of caution, while others may want to save a buck. Instead of buying two machines, the 5/6 combo gives you both and makes it easy to switch between sizes.
In this article, we’ll show you how this compact beast performs, why it’s worth it to run your own gutter, and how owning an NTM portable gutter machine can streamline your operation and increase your profits.
What is the Mach II Portable Gutter Machine?
If you’re teetering between purchasing a 5” or 6” Mach II gutter machine, then you’re probably familiar with the market demand in your area. A 5” K-style gutter isn’t ideal for regions with heavy rain or severe storms. That said, they may be more than adequate for homes in moderate to dry climates. However, other considerations should be taken into account, which may push a consumer from a 5” to a 6” gutter.
Key Considerations:
- Roof plane: A 5” gutter usually accommodates roofs 600-800 sq. ft. Larger roofs will have greater run-off and require a larger gutter, like the 6” that holds over 40% more water.
- Roof pitch: If it’s a small roof with a high pitch, the water will run off faster than a 5” gutter can handle. So even if the roof is the right size for a 5” gutter, make sure the pitch height matches the gutter’s capacity.
- Climate: In a dry climate, a 5” gutter is fine for any size roof. However, even an occasional strong storm can damage landscape if the gutters overflow, so it’s better to stick with what the gutter can handle based on the roof’s plane and pitch.
- Appearance: If the house has a wide fascia board, say 1” x 10”, the 5” gutter will look small, like it doesn’t quite fit, but will look fine with a 1” x 6” fascia. On the other hand, a 6” could appear bulky on a short fascia board.
It all comes down to those simple factors. If price is an issue for the customer, keep in mind that 5” gutters require less material, reducing the cost by about 20%.
NTM’s Mach II Portable Gutter Machine
The Mach II Portable Seamless Gutter Machine was the first on the market to offer separate drive and forming rollers. The original prototype featured polyurethane drive rollers, now standard on most portable rollforming machines. Over 30 years ago, when NTM introduced the Mach II, the brainchild of Metal Construction hall-of-famer Ron Schell, nobody had manufactured a machine like it.
The first Mach II, a 5”, returned to New Tech after 30 years in the field. Somewhat worse for wear, it’s now on display in the service department’s lobby. Even after all this time, it’ll still run a perfect gutter.
The Mach II 5”/ 6” Combo portable roll-former runs K-style gutters right on the job site, at whatever length you need. No piecing together sections, no waiting for deliveries, and a better-quality product that won’t leak at the seams. At around $11,200 (base price in 2025), it’s not the cheapest machine, but we’re about to show why it might be the best investment you’ll make for your business.
Why Go Combo Instead of Single-Gutter Size?
You might be wondering – why not just get a 5″ machine since that’s what most homes in my region need?
Maybe 90% of residential jobs in your area are for 5” gutters. But then you get that call for a big home with a high-pitched roof, or a light commercial job that needs 6-inch capacity. With a combo machine, you’re covered. Instead of saying “sorry, can’t help you”, you just swap the coil and shear, and you’re running 6-inch gutters in under an hour. That kind of flexibility for an extra $3K that pays for itself in just a few jobs is what you’re getting with a Mach II Combo.
The math actually works out. The combo costs more upfront than a single-size machine (about $3K more than the 5″ model). But buying both a 5″ and 6″ machine separately would run you close to $18K. The combo gives you both capabilities for a little over $11K. That’s just more economical.
One truck, one crew, one setup. Whether it’s a 5” or 6” job, the combo machine means one trailer setup handles whatever comes your way.
The only real downside? It’s a bit bigger and heavier (about 1,350 lbs, 10 feet long) than the 5″ machine. But honestly, if you’re already hauling a gutter machine, the extra size isn’t a deal-breaker.
What Makes The Mach II Combo Different?
Here’s where the Mach II really shines – and why it’s been copied by everyone else in the industry. Ron Schell (the guy who invented this thing back in the early ’90s) figured out something brilliant: separate the drive rollers from the forming rollers.
Those blue polyurethane drive rollers are pure genius. Instead of steel rollers that scratch finishes and need constant adjustment, these urethane rollers grip the metal without marking it up. The best part? You rarely need to adjust anything when switching between aluminum, steel, or different gauges. The polyurethane has just enough give to handle thickness variations automatically. That’s why it’s the most copied portable gutter machine in the industry.
And here’s a pro tip: Don’t leave material in the machine when you’re done for the day. While crews with other machines have to do that to keep the steel rollers from banging around, with the Mach II, run it empty. Any flat spots in the urethane work themselves out in the first few feet, and you’re not wasting material.
NTM Mach II’s Real-World Performance
Let me break down what you actually get:
- Speed: About 50 feet per minute
- Materials: Handles aluminum (.019″ to .032″), painted steel (30 to 24 gauge), and copper (16-20 oz)
- Power: Just plugs into a regular 110V outlet (or a small generator)
- Controls: Simple push-button at both ends – no complicated electronics to break
The whole process is pretty foolproof. Load your coil, feed it through, hit run, and watch perfect K-style gutters come out the other end. The forward-pull shear gives you clean, square cuts every time. If you encounter issues with camber, our Mach II Support page has videos to show you how to fix it. We also have a fully staffed support center you can contact to walk you through the issue.
| Option | What it does | Notes from the factory |
| Top-mount reels (1-3) | Hold painted coil on spools | Mix freely with cradles; the first cradle must sit ahead of any reel so coil feeds cleanly. |
| Coil cradles (0-3) | Accept eye-to-the-sky coils | Ideal for heavier steel or copper loads. |
| Economy chassis | No reels/cradles on top | Available with or without the manual shear. |
Why Seamless Gutters Beat Sectional Every Time
If you’re still installing sectional gutters, you’re leaving money on the table and dealing with unnecessary headaches. Here’s why seamless is the way to go:
No leaks, period. Every seam in a sectional system is a future problem waiting to happen. Seamless gutters only have joints at corners and downspouts.
Customers notice the difference. When homeowners see you roll out an 80-foot gutter in one piece, right in their driveway, they get it. It looks professional, it looks custom, and they’re willing to pay for that quality. Just ask Abel Cisneros, Mach II owner and gutter contractor.
Better for your bottom line. Once you factor in material savings (coil stock is cheaper than pre-formed sections), less waste, and fewer callbacks, the machine pays for itself pretty quickly. Plus, you can pick up extra work fabricating gutters for other contractors who don’t have machines.
Efficiency gains. No more trips to the supplier, no more waiting on deliveries, no more “we’re short 12 feet on this job.” You make what you need, when you need it, exactly the length required.
Business Benefits of Owning a Mach II Portable Gutter Machine
Look, $11K is real money. But think about it this way: if you’re doing decent volume, you’ll save that much in material costs and efficiency gains in the first year. Here’s how:
- Higher profit margins – cutting out the middleman on gutter purchases
- Less inventory to manage – just stock coil in a few popular colors
- Faster job completion – fabricate and install in one trip
- Premium pricing – customers pay more for seamless quality
- New revenue streams – other contractors pay me to run gutters for them
The warranty is solid too – 3 years parts and labor, plus lifetime coverage on roller separation. At NTM, we back our products, and we’ve been around long enough to prove it. Problem with a machine after 10 or 20 years? Our support team is still on hand to help.
Bottom Line on the Mach II Combo
If you’re serious about the gutter business, the Mach II 5″/6″ combo is worth every dime. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but it’s the one that’ll help you deliver better work more efficiently. The polyurethane drive system is genuinely innovative, the build quality is excellent, and the versatility of handling both 5″ and 6″ gutters makes it a smart business investment.
Ron Schell knew what he was doing when he designed this machine 30+ years ago, and it’s still setting the standard today. For contractors looking to compete at a higher level – with on-demand seamless gutters that actually impress customers – the Mach II is worth every penny.
It’s not just a machine, it’s a competitive advantage. And in this business, that’s exactly what you need to stay ahead.
| Model | Length | Width | Height | Weight | Approx. Speed |
| Mach II™ 5″ Machine | 8′ (2.4 m) | 2′ (0.6 m) | 4′ (1.2 m) | ~1,000 lbs (454 kg) | 50 ft/min (15 m/min) |
| Mach II™ 6″ Machine | 10′ (3.0 m) | 2′ (0.6 m) + shear handle | 4′ (1.2 m) | ~1,250 lbs (570 kg) | 50 ft/min (15 m/min) |
| Mach II™ 5″/6″ Combo | 10′ (3.0 m) | 2′ (0.6 m) + shear handle(s) | 4′ (1.2 m) | ~1,350 lbs (610 kg) | 50 ft/min (15 m/min) |
For information about the Mach II or any of NTM’s portable rollformers or accessories, contact us.
Download the 2025 Guide to Buying and Owning Your First Portable Gutter Machine for everything you need to know about purchasing a portable gutter machine.
