Opinions on Metal Snips please!!

[Carapace79]

Ok, so my van was stolen last weekend and the thieves completely cleaned me out! When I get my insurance check I need to go out and buy all new tools. One tool in particular I'm curious about is metal cutting snips. I've always bought Midwest brand snips, both green and red handles. However, I've heard that some have had good experience with the Lenox snips, and the new Malco snips look nice as well.

These snips will be used primarily for cutting and notching aluminum coil, with occasional use cutting roofing step flashing, light sheet metal, and vinyl siding.

Any input is appreciated, thanks!
Best,
Tom

http://www.lenoxsaw.com/Pages/Produc...roductId=Snips
http://www.midwestsnips.com/products..._ID=8&pass=yes

[popawheelie]

We always used Wiss snips. Maybe that is a left coast thing.

[AndyGump]

Wiss all the way, I worked in the sheet metal trade for 12 years and Wiss was the only good aviation snip I ever used or saw anyone using.

Andy.

[tom struble]

depends what your cutting obviously but here's a vote for malco

[Mark G]

I second the Wiss vote. Also, the handle color is for curved or straight: yellow is straight, red curves right, green curves left. I keep the yellow on hand, others are in the shop.

[Randy Bush]

For aviation snip Wiss are ok. I use reds and green all the time siding, Go through a couple of sets a year. For tinner snips Wiss are junk, will not give you a nice clean cut. I like duck bill snips which are hard to find . Sears, Mid-west use to make pretty good ones , not so much anymore. Have a pair of Master-mechanic snips which have been the best I have ever had. really holds a sharp edge. I is really hard to find someone that can shapen them right. Don't know how anytimes have boughten a pair of tinner snip , tried them out then had to take them back because the don't cut smooth.

[Carapace79]

Thanks for your input fellas! Sounds like a lot of votes for Wiss... Are you guys using special Wiss snips? I just haven't been terribly impressed by their standard offset snips. I have been using Midwest offset snips for about 8 years now and have been reasonably happy with them. For my uses they seem to last 3-4 years before they don't cut metal very well, then I switch them to shingle cutting duty. My local tool retailer Thomas Tool and Supply said that they mostly sold Midwest snips, but that the guys who were buying the Lenox snips raved about them, but I couldn't get him to elaborate further. The Malco snips look good too, though I've never used a set on a job site....

Again, I mostly use mine for cutting aluminum coil, some limited sheet metal work, and vinyl siding. Once my snips are worn out for those applications they are relegated to shingle cutting duty.

Any other input? Thanks fellas!!!
Best,
Tom

[m beezo]

I need a lesson again. What is the difference between a tinner's snips and avaition snips? I usually just buy the Wiss red, green and yellow handles and do not know the differnce. For cutting vinyl siding and some metal work I pull out my Malco but they are about twice the size of the Wiss.

[Randy Bush]

Tinner ,duckbill,pattern, snips are like big scissors. Where as aviation snip are the compound action ones reds, greens, or yellow. Also tinner snips have long smooth, but sharp edges for making long cuts. Aviation are short serrated edges. Seeing how I do alot of steel siding , roofing and cap work I like the duckbill snips the best also when cutting a lenght of coil they work better too.

[m beezo]

I then have both kinds but only refer to them as metal or tin snips. Thanks for the learning.

[SteveC]

I've used these Malco shears (earlier version though) for exactly what you are doing.
http://malcoproducts.com/product/hva...ndled-snips-14
I use Wiss yellow, red, and green snips for duct work.
BTW Here's the full line
http://malcoproducts.com/product/hva...ice/hand-snips

[charles]

Anybody ever cut 26 gauge stamped stainless steel, like this: http://www.classicceilings.com/ccp1-...esign-234.html ? At the bottom of the page they recommend Wiss MR3, but I'm wondering if there's anything better that is less likely to distort the pattern as you cut.

[ThingOfBeauty]

I tried some Klenks brand compound snips but they were not very good, went back to Wiss and upgraded the green & red to offset snips which help for complex shapes. I keep red, green, and yellow on board, along with a 3" bender, kind of over kill but when you need them you need them, and no one else on site will have them!

[CodyinCanada]

Not trying to hijack this post but it is kind of on topic of flashing, I was wondering if there if any one has come across some literature on cutting and bending flashing, I really have to think alot of cuts and bends( self taught on the flashing) I will also vote the wiss tough as nails, just don't leave them behind for electricians.