Craftsman tin snips

[Brownsfan]

Does anyone know who the OEM is for the Craftsman tin snips? They are USA made so there aren't many here making them. I have a set that's at least 15 years old that just don't cut well anymore. The set I have is Craftsman as well so they have lasted quite a while. I have some points so I figured just get them again.

 

[LB-1911]

From "09"

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

 

[Brownsfan]

Awesome. I'm going to pick up a set again.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Does anyone know who the OEM is for the Craftsman tin snips? They are USA made so there aren't many here making them. I have a set that's at least 15 years old that just don't cut well anymore. The set I have is Craftsman as well so they have lasted quite a while. I have some points so I figured just get them again.

Mine are Midwest made. I believe they confirmed that when I bought them and had e-mailed them about it.

 

[Brownsfan]

Are the Craftsman or Midwest better than the USA made Wiss ? Home Depot has the 3 PC set for $30 and the Craftsman and Midwest are like 15-18 each. I have no problem paying more if they are better. All are USA made so that is a plus. The other options are Milwaukee and Stanley but really not interested in them because I can get USA made for around the same price. In the Wiss case they are less than the Milwaukee. I have heard great things about the Midwest snips and my last craftsman set lasted a long time

 

[rlitman]

YES. IMHO, Midwest makes better snips than Wiss.

 

[bobcatdan]

I own both brands and can't tell any difference at all.

 

[jeremy v]

The older Wiss snips are good, but from what I have heard the newer aviation snips have cast blades now instead of them still being forged like the Midwest snips.

Just a heads up, but Midwest recently changed their handles to a design that has small grip ribs and a slightly different shape. The Craftsman snips will probably still have the older style smooth grips until all their existing stock is rotated out. Just thought I would mention it in case you have a preference. Sears does sell Midwest snips so you can use your Sears points on them too.

I really like Midwest snips and they are pretty much all I use now. I just purchased a pair with the new grips and I do find them to be a little bit more comfortable than the older style, but I never had a problem with the older grips either. I haven't had them long enough to prove it yet, but based on how they are shaped more deliberately on the inside of the grip they seem like they would be less likely to want to rotate on the handle over time vs. the older grips. Time will tell though.

 

[sonvolt]

I've had Wiss snips for years and no issue, never tried the Midwest ones tho. I will say the Wiss ones have been cutting banding iron for years. I think you can get em at HD for $10.00 or so

 

[Brownsfan]

I ended up buying the Midwest Made Craftsman. Had some points and they lasted as long as they did so why not. I tried them out when I got home. I needed them last night but my old ones were so worn that I couldn't cut what I needed to. So bought the new ones and they cut through like butter.

 

[kkinla]

I ended up buying the Midwest Made Craftsman. Had some points and they lasted as long as they did so why not. I tried them out when I got home. I needed them last night but my old ones were so worn that I couldn't cut what I needed to. So bought the new ones and they cut through like butter.

Craftsman snips but no lifetime warranty?

 

[stage20]

i use yellow handle center cut wiss everyday. only ones i like. i use regular snips, not the aviation style.

i have 5 home depots and every now and then they will go on sale at only one location for 9.99. reg price is 13.97 i believe.

 

[rlitman]

I own both brands and can't tell any difference at all.

The Midwest has a better pivot (using a recessed head screw rather than a hex bolt).

 

[Brownsfan]

Craftsman snips but no lifetime warranty?

It never crossed my mind really. They didn't break. They still cut but not really well. I got 15+ years out of them so I got my money's worth. So I bought a new set and did my part for supporting USA manufacturing.

 

[malibu101]

Malco is a highly respected name in the sheetmetal biz.
http://malcoproducts.com/product/automotive/autobody-tools/snips

For metal butchering adventures, I have and use Wiss.

 

[bobcatdan]

The Midwest has a better pivot (using a recessed head screw rather than a hex bolt).

They both cut stuff just fine, that's all I care about.

 

[diagnosis]

I probably go through a set of Wiss snips every year being in the trade, but picked up a set of Milwaukee snips last time around as they were on sale at the time. They've been really good for the past year, and would probably grab another set next time around.
My co-worker has the Malco set, and they are very similar in shape and feel to the Wiss snips, but seem to hold up a little better.... even after catching the apprentice using them for cutting wire.
We did 'commend' him for choosing not to destroy his own snips.

Sorry, got a little off topic. At the Ontario, Canada, Home Depots, "Husky" branded 90degree snips also seem to be made by Midwest. I bought a set to replace my broken Midwest Rights, and they are identical.

 

[Tinner]

The low end Wiss are junk. Apprentices at work buy them, they end up in the trash in short order. The Wiss Special Series are much better, probably OK for the casual user, as are Midwest.

If you want some real snips, buy Klenk.

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

 

[bonneyman]

My father was a tin knocker, and all I remember him using is Wiss.

I've used Craftsman, Wiss, Lenox, Midwest, and Malco. Most cut just fine if you keep them adjusted, clean, and use them right.

 

[Jim C.]

I have a few pairs of Craftsman branded snips, and I'm fairly certain they were made by Midwest. I don't use snips frequently, but when I have used them, they've performed well. For DIY projects, I've been extremely satisfied with Craftsman/Midwest snips. No complaints here.

Jim C.

 

[DSLTRK]

Are the Craftsman or Midwest better than the USA made Wiss ? Home Depot has the 3 PC set for $30 and the Craftsman and Midwest are like 15-18 each. I have no problem paying more if they are better. All are USA made so that is a plus. The other options are Milwaukee and Stanley but really not interested in them because I can get USA made for around the same price. In the Wiss case they are less than the Milwaukee. I have heard great things about the Midwest snips and my last craftsman set lasted a long time

Absolutely, Midwest snips hold a sharp cut longer, have better leverage, and are just plain smoother to use than Wiss.

 

[Brownsfan]

Are the Craftsman snips made just like the Midwest snips? They are priced the same at Sears. I ended up buying the Craftsman set. I could have got the Milwaukee for 10 each but I would and did pay more for a USA made set. My last Craftsman set lasted for 15 years so I figured I couldn't go wrong with them again.

 

[TS3g]

Malco > Midwest >>>> Wiss, imo. Midwests are very good, but I give a slight edge to Malco, as they seem to "bite" better when shaving off thin cuts. I like the grips on the Max2000s slightly better as well.

Still, I wouldn't be upset if I could only use Midwests

 

[mikebaker1129]

Craftsman snips but no lifetime warranty?

They do not warranty the snips for dull blades,it is written on the back of the cardboard holder.
I am not sure what the warranty on Midwest snips are.

 

[KnurledNut]

I use snips frequently.
I would put my Malco max2000 series red handled offsets up against any of the competition.

 

[Brownsfan]

They do not warranty the snips for dull blades,it is written on the back of the cardboard holder.
I am not sure what the warranty on Midwest snips are.

That's why I just bought new ones. They were worn out not broke. They lasted 15 years of use not daily and sometimes not weekly but they did get used. Also. Mine said Sears not Craftsman. But have the same part numbers as the new Craftsman version.

 

[bonneyman]

At one point in time the Sears snips were "Craftsman" labelled, with lifetime warranty. They then changed them to "Sears" brand. Same snips, no lifetime warranty. Counter person told me they had like a 90% return rate, and so changed the warranty.