Need a good pair of tin snips

[big red]

In the last 3 or 4 months I've been having problems with my tin snips . I only use Wiss . But lately the spring has been braking or the cutters have a gap in them . Is there a different company that as good as Wiss or better .

Thanks again

 

[Thedroid]

I like the Prosnips, but I have the old ones. I think they were bought by Irwin, so I can't comment on the new ones.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Have you tried taking them apart sharpening them then putting them back together? That might cure the gap issue. as for the spring breaking i am not sure, you could buy a sprite heavier duty one to put on it your self.

 

[dede2897234]

Big_red,

Harry Epstein has a number of good quality snips on closeout. I purchased this Wiss W7B snips a while ago and used it recently to cut aluminum: http://www.harryepstein.com/wiss.htm. It performed the job flawlessly. In addition, Epstein sells a number of Ridgid snips here at reasonable prices: http://www.harryepstein.com/ridgid.htm.

 

[Monte]

Bessey/Erdi *click*

 

[tatra]

buddy of mine used to only buy wiss when he was doing tin.........here in canada we have canadian tire and he bought a set there of the mastercraftbrand [inhouse brand] and has been bringing them back on warranty every three months and is always given a new pair in return.........when the wiss wore out, he had to pay for new ones..........and although the wiss lated a year, he frequents the place often enough he finds it to be no bother...........

 

[mrb]

ive heard good things about the midwest brand ones - made in usa

 

[Elroy]

ive heard good things about the midwest brand ones - made in usa

Yep, The Midwest tin snips are developing a good reputation. Wiss is still the leader.

Lenox are a joke. Don't even waste you time with them

 

[Merkava_4]

I like the Prosnips,

+1 ... Mine are so sharp that I can cut paper with them ... try that with those sorry *** Wiss snips...

 

[Elroy]

+1 ... Mine are so sharp that I can cut paper with them ... try that with those sorry *** Wiss snips...

OK, Does this count?

A single sheet of standard run of the mill note book paper. And no this was not "staged".

Sorry Merk but you left yourself wide open. No swipe intended.

 

[Merkava_4]

BLUEBIRD No. 212 USA

 

[dledinger]

Big red...what are you cutting?

 

[tatra]

oh great, i can see it now, merk and elroy are going to be challenging each other to paper doll making contests.............

 

[Merkava_4]

oh great, i can see it now, merk and elroy are going to be challenging each other to paper doll making contests.............

LOL!!

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have this set: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00912848000P?vName=Tools&keyword=tin+snips#descriptionAnchor

I'm going on 7.5 years of cutting aluminum, stainless, and titanium. They're not as sharp as they used to be, but still work fine.

 

[mrb]

Screw You Guys....I dont even have any Tin Snips........

 

[tatra]

oh cripes mrb, now this is goung to become a debate on the proper use of a screw driver and the wrong hammer...........

 

[MAD]

I would give the Midwest snips a try. I can't offer a first hand recommendation though, since mine are Wiss.

The Sears Craftsman snips are made by Midwest as well.

If you use snips a lot, I would try the Midwest snips models with the specially hardened blades for stainless steel etc.


There are folks in Michigan that would love to make you some snips.
http://www.midwestsnips.com/

 

[big red]

Big red...what are you cutting?

I'm cutting alot of eavestrough's , Siding, Soffit and Fascia on the weekends > Even the straps on skids are getting harder to cut with them . I've tried the CT kind too.

 

[Bustawrench]

These are sort of the Snap-On of snips, expensive but very durable............

http://www.klenktools.com/Main/Products/AviationSnipsNew.asp


Most of the Tin Knockers I know use these..............

http://www.malcoproducts.com/products/snips/index.asp

............they are a bit more affordable and desinged to stand up to every day professional use in the sheet metal trades.

 

[Merkava_4]

^ Those Klenk snips look to be VERY nice.

I have two pairs of Prosnips that I like very well, but it's looking like the company is no longer in business. I started a thread about it, but so far no replies.

 

[A_Pmech]

I have prosnips, they work fine.

Snips require regular sharpening and adjustment. Hone the blade halves, then reassemble. Lubricate the blades, then tighten the pivot nut until you cant move the handles. Back off the nut until they *just* operate freely.

If your snips have a serrated blade, eventually you'll have to renew the serrations. Careful work with the corner of a sharp file will take care of that.

 

[dede2897234]

A_Pmech,

Thanks for the sharpening tips for regular and serrated snip blades. I did not know how to sharpen serrated snip blades until I read your advice.

 

[superautobacs]

I haven't read through this myself yet, but this article from Popular Mechanics might provide some more helpful insights into snips, and their care and maintenance.

 

[Elroy]

Yep, The Midwest tin snips are developing a good reputation. Wiss is still the leader.

Lenox are a joke. Don't even waste you time with them

Picked these Midwest snips up today from CSC in the "park".

Understand they are liquidating their inventory. Got these for $16.09 EACH. Hell of a deal !

 

[wreckercologist]

I've been using a old Diamond brand tin snips(I think they are the bulldog style like Merks?). They still work ok but were hand-me-downs from my father so they are 40+ years old. I'd like to get a new pair too eventually, so is the concensus midwest? Do they make the bulldog style? I'd just buy a new set of Diamonds but I think they went out of business.

 

[FredB]

I would give the Midwest snips a try. I can't offer a first hand recommendation though, since mine are Wiss.

+1 on midwest

 

[billymade]

Just a FYI; the Craftsman are Midwest OEM, you might find them on sale at some point.