I'm on my 3rd set of Midwest. I do metal trim on metal buildings. They are awesome. The salt water from the Gulf beats them down, but you can slow the damage with WD-40, I recommend storing them only after a good spray with WD-40. Midwest also makes their aviation ships in an upright configuration, great for awkward spots and things like cutting holes for downspouts after gutters are already installed. Midwest also manufactures a snip called the Bulldog, which although is not offset, I find them handy for the really tough cuts, like snipping through the 5 layer seam of a commercial downspout.
midwest ftw. i just got a pair of Midwest LH offsets (for air duct work). I used them today for the first time. i was previously using the same type of snips but they were Wiss. The difference is night and day. This review is definitely legitimate. Thanks for the vid.
Great vid. I've been in the roofing business 30 + years installing metal panels and have tried them all. In my opinion for offsets #1 Malco M2006-7 #2 Midwest MWT6510L- R. These are perfect for long cuts and circles. For shorter and precision tip cuts nothing beats Wiss M1R and M2R. Lennox, Stanley, Craftsman DeWalt, Irwin, and HDX are all home owners models IMHO any are okay for light or occasionall use but don't hold up to heavy duty long term use. Thanks again for the video
Good review. I've been in the HVAC-R trade for almost a year now, and today I used a pair of Milwaukee offset snips to cut 8 takeoffs in some 22ga ductwork. Coming from Wiss (did the first two takeoffs with them, actually), I couldn't believe how effortless these Milwaukees felt.......I'm sold on them after today, made some seriously short work of the remaining 6 cuts. Do yourself a favor and try them. They're some badass snips.
Midwest are wayy better, however recently harber freight has come out with some that look almost identical and only cost 8 bucks.. they work almost the same
Me watching your review 9yrs later. The opening of the grip was something I never realized to consider! I have smaller hands and this review made my decision to get the Midwest snips! Also, according to some other review comments, tradesman seem to prefer the Midwest over Wiss and other brands. Thank you!!
I have a friend who is a tin knocker and he said," Midwest to tin knocker is as Fluke is to an electrician". Nothing is more pleasurable than an easy working tool to make the job progress smoothly. Nothing is more frustrating than a cheap tool that delays progress and causes you to struggle and then the job looks like a novice hack did it. I've heard others say all they use are the Reds. After seeing these vids on the tube a few months ago, I learned "cuts left, doesn't mean the shears cut left at all, it simply means the waste side is to the left. I have reds greens and yellows all are Weiss, till today. I picked up a pair of Midwest red offsets. I noticed the metal shops tend to use the large duck bills. Why is that? Where does their role fit into the scheme of things?
Mike Malone I would assume that they use the large duckbill snips due to the increased leverage & ease of cutting. The aviation snips are very convenient and portable, but for production use where space isnt an issue, I would think that they larger pairs take less effort from the operator to do the same cuts.
Mike Malone Thanks for the comments on the Made in USA Midwest Snips. Cuts left does mean cuts left. Red handle blade designs, especially offsets will make sharp turns to the left, but not the right. Reds and Greens both cut straight equally well. Most right handed people will use a red when they can. Likewise, left-handers will gravitate to the greens. Pros typically have both for situations when they need to cut different directions. Cheers
If lefts are for left handed users, then why would they build the ergonomics of the lefts and rights to include the use of the thumb latch (on the left side of the top handle) for only right handed users, reds and greens alike. If it were built for a left handed user, the latch would be on the right side of the top handle.
I have been a tin knocker for almost 7 years now. I do shop fabrication, field fab, duct installs, and unit installs/changeouts. I run a crew of sheet metal workers and I advise all my guys to go ahead and spend a little more money to get Midwest snips. They are hands down the most durable and best cutting snips on the market. I still have my same pair of offset reds that I bought in my first year. I still use them everyday.
Wish I would have seen this a few years ago I found a good set of snips through trial and error. Started with cheap craftsman, then Pro Snip, now I'm on Milwaukee's which I'm pleased with but by far the best I have found now that I'm doing HVAC is Malco. Hands down will be my next set of Greens, Reds, and Yellow. Loving the Videos, just found you a few months ago and have been watching all your videos keep up the great tests.
***** Thanks Sebastian! I am glad you like the videos :) I have seen them in person & heard good things about the Malco snips, but have not used them personally for any length of time. Thanks for the suggestion!
There was a foreman I worked with said that Northern tool carried a 3-pack: straight, LH, RH snips that were less than $20 bucks at the time and that they cut better than many of the common brands shown. That was about 6 years ago though and the quality of everything has gotten so bad now that I almost wouldn't bother. Midwest snips are a very high quality tool and had a lifetime warranty. I dont know how the warranty process works these days. But you used to be able to bring your snips into SEARS and exchange for a new one with no fuss.
I just got a set of Midwest regular (not offset) snips and had a hard time doing long cuts. I am aware that offset is what I need for long cuts so I went out and got a set of offcuts. Then it dawned on me that offset can cut long and short, so why would anyone buy regular non offset snips. I'm kinda sad then I got the whole set of Midwest non offset to start with, (green red yellow). And now they are basically useless to me. Also is there even point of the yellow? Both red and green offsets are marketed to do straight cuts too. So why bother with the yellow, offset or otherwise?
I am a sheetmetal worker and I like Irwin brand offset snips and Bessey offsets snips, I think the bessey brand are a little better quality though. Cool video my friend
tilt your snip out cutting from the center of the jaw with small bites not to the tip with the bottom jaw side for your drop use both left and rights at the same time if your locked on both sides you can use them from the bottom too.
Why does everybody that reviews Aviation Snips not include Malco is by far the best offering when it comes to this type of snips and nobody mentions it much less reviews it
Well I'm from the Midwest but never tried a pair. I'll have to snag one up. I got a brand new pair of wiss mpc 3 snips the other day for free and they cut through everything I've thrown at them so far. I like em.
@RTR Thanks for making this comparison video! Have you tried Malco, Hazet, Gedore, Stahwille, or NWS? I’m curious how they compare to the Midwest snips.
On the trim strip you were uesing the wrong snipps at first the designe is made to channel the waist away from the piece not deforming the piece you intend to keep. They really aren't left and right as much as the direction you need to cut.
@@Clambelly Klein is okay, higher quality then wiss but I noticed they were about the same force. Milwaukee I would put in the same category as Klein, but my Malco's cut through sheet metal like butter. I do not think id buy any other brand then Malco for snips.
All true guys but he was testing function, not how to produce proper products. Even so, I sometimes have to use the 'wrong' pair due to access or, say R Panel and still get good results.
Red ones are right snips mate, the cutting side should curl upwards. This way you can hold the shit end and aid the snips by pulling the metal up. Great video anyhow, I use Wiss. I'll be giving the Midwest a try. Cheers
Ordered one pair of those Midwest on Amazon. Thanks for letting me discover these snips. Are there any concrete differences between offset and straight-cutting snips? Do you consider Stanley to be a good brand? Thanks. Oh I forgot, subscribed.
Vylkeer Awesome! I am glad the video helped you out & thanks for subscribing/commenting! As far as differences between regular (straight) & offset, the chances of you cutting yourself with metal is far less with the offset, since the material will be underneath of your fingers instead of aiming straight into your hand as you cut. I dont have any experience with the Stanley versions, but I have seen them in stores....I have not used other brands that are as well made as the Midwest Snips.....you made a good choice.
Would love to see some Bessey snips thrown into the mix. Seems that’s who most of the higher end German companies rebrand from. I was torn between Midwest and Malco but am almost certainly going to give Bessey a shot next instead. Going from USA Wiss which are okay but not perfect.
dmcguinn1 I had purchased Stanley FatMax straight snips yesterday. I returned them today and just got home with my Midwest offset left cutters. Just the feel of them is great. I'm cutting food cans to make stove project kits for my scouts and using the Midwest snips, it honestly feels like I am cutting construction paper with scissors. You're a lifesaver!
I have a pair of old Gilbow shears that cut beautifully. As an aircraft engineer I need good quality shears. Some of these shears have teeth with serrations to stop them slipping? I hate these! The acid test is cutting a sheet of metal in half. This sorts the men from the boys! The Gilbows can clean cut through the middle of a sheet with minimal damage or distortion. This is a tough test.
Would have loved to see Cuts in Copper and stainless steel. stainless steel because it's really hard to cut through and copper to see how clean of a cut it leaves in soft metal
Use to use nothing but Midwest offsets, uprights, straights, & bulldogs then one day I accidentally picked up one of the other guys Klein’s on the site and made a few cuts I pretty much gave all my Midwest snips to my little cousin and bought everything I had in Midwest in Klein they cost a pretty penny, but when you get tool credit from your employer that doesn’t matter lmao
Just curious. Do you think it's possible the nut on the Wiss snips was not tightened properly or that they were dull? I'm asking because many like the Wiss brand snips. And a dull or improperly tightened center bolt will cause what you saw in this video, the jaws to splay or it to fold over/bind the material. Just curious mind you as I'm looking to buy a set of snips, so I'm checking out reviews such as yours. Last question, are all the offset snips you show considered true compound snips? Thanks
Since you made this video (five years ago), Wiss has seemed to move production to China -- and the snips are co-branded with Crescent. I don't know if the quality has suffered. Midwest are still made in the USA. I am going to have to get some the next time I go to Menards.
Good stuff. I really like that Midwest snips. How much are they? And also what do you think about dewalt and Milwaukee aviation snips? I think I would lean toward those brands simply because I'm familiar with them but if the Midwest isn't that much more I'd probably go with Midwest. Also good suggestion on the snips for the vinyl flooring. I did this one flooring job and installed vinyl planks that looked like laminate (floating floor not stick on) and used a jigsaw to cut them, if i would have known better I would have used some snips
A pair of Midwest Snips are typically $15-$20....in comparison, all of the other brands except for the HDX are almost identical in pricing (including the two you listed as far as I know). The HDX comes in a 3-pack, and it is on the shelf for $9.98/set.....so you can see why they most likely sell a lot of them. But, in a professional setting, quality tools are what really make the difference.
I hate it when stores like Home Depot start releasing junk tool series like the HDX. Sears/Craftsman started doing the Made in China, Evolv, and Mach tool series. Lowes changed the Kobalt series over to the Made in Taiwan tools. People don't understand that just because it says Brand X on it doesn't mean it is any good. Those stores are selling low quality items to make a quick buck.
Yeah, I agree, they sell mainly to the weekend warriors who only use the snips for a little project and they may work for them. Guys like me who use them everyday can spot junk snips in a second. Sears craftsman offsets use to be my favorite snips, when they got dull I would exchange them for new ones, I guess they didn't make any money on all the exchanges.
kj197734 Well, sadly because they "look" the same, and cost 75% less than a quality tool....people refuse to think there is any difference. But, then again, that is how they get them to keep buying tools over & over...since the junk ones break constantly.
Hey real tool review! I know I'm very late 3 3/4 year late... But do u know the difference between then Lennox and hilmor snips. Could u do a comparison please?
I hate how they aren't clear on the type of snips they are. You usually have to go half way down the product description to find out if they are straight, left or right cutters. It should be in the product name.
I picked up on me saying that the wrong way after i uploaded this video. ... you are correct. ... these are not "left handed", they are "left cutting" .... thanks!
I couldn't help but notice that, you are improperly using them. you need to lay the material that you are cutting flat against the cutting edge of the bottom blade. not doing so will absolutely destroy your snips in one cut if not careful.
James Sturgis There is absolutely zero chance that cutting mild steel sheetmetal with hardened snips will somehow break the snips in one cut....not going to happen....ever. How would a HVAC tech cut a hole into existing ductwork & ensure that the bottom blade stays flat against the surface while they are in a 100+ degree attic running lines?
You're using them incorrectly, No it will not break the snips but it will certainly dull them. Go out and try for your self, Greens you need to lean them to to the right, reds lean to the left. They will cut significantly better.
i can speak from personal experience that cutting at anything other than a 90 degree angle to the surface will dull the crap out of the blades. Also, Lenox snips are in my usage (26-18 ga rolled and stamped steel) garbage. The Milwaukee ones are pretty decent though. Midwest is the best I've used. Wiss makes good seamers though.
Dude! Wrong way to cut with them, the waste side is where the lower jaw faces on them, makes it easier to cut when the waste side is not much material to curl up.
Its actually a common misconception the Red pairs are RIGHTS but you hold them with your right hand and they cut LEFT. The GREEN pair are lefts as you hold them with your LEFT hand but they cut RIGHT. However both pairs will also cut straight as you mentioned. Midwest vs malco please!!! Fellow HVAC tech! I use midwest but i used my buddies malcos and they were so smooth! Not sure if its cause his were brand new and mine were 2 years old but I’d be really curious to know which pair work better the malco or midwest! I notice the Lenox looks very similar to my buddies Malcos. Not sure if Malco and Lennox are working together or one pays the other for rights to the design but they look identical other than the brand and colors used on the grips.
I have Bessey snips made in Germany ,very good quality and really expensive ,problem its they open too wide ,i use the Snap on snips i believe Snap on owns Midwest. Irwin ,stanley ,wiss i don't think they on the same level as Midwest.Thanks for the video.
HERES A REAL REVIEW FOR PEOPLE.....yes....Lenox snips are terrible....right out of the package ..garbage....the old Stanleys were GREAT, raptor snips are GREAT...similar to Stanley....wiss are ok.....millwaki not very good at all....craftsman not very good...craftsman are similar to millwaki in cutting and force....hdx sucks obviously....princess auto pro point are actually not bad at all...similar to old Stanley and raptor snips...similar to wise also......cant wait to try midwest......hope my opinion helps people avoid marketing garbage. #1 probably midwest I GUESS.....2 old Stanley...2 raptor....4 pro point princess auto...ODDLY ENOUGH.....and yes Offsets are the best....blows my mind how sheet metal guys are stuck on using regular snips to cut pipe or tin????? and obviously the large offset snips are good.....malco and wiss are better then husky....but at the price point of those husky isn't a bad option for the price difference
you should do a real review between midwest, malco and those european curved snips that dont have no rubber grip. why hasnt anybody made the handle titanium with replaceable blades????? whyyyyyyy. i stil think the craftsman were the best though
Midwest are most def the best out of these.... these are alll offsets.... With straights not offsets wiss are the best.....lenox are ok but they just aren't as good as the Midwest offsets... if you use snips frequently there are a cpl brands better than midwest but Dewalt and Milwaukee are not. ... the Milwaukees are ok but go with midwest out of these 4
Kind of funny how you have so many tin snips but you are using them... you should watch hillsmetal video on using tin snips. I'll be productive rather than make fun.
Hey real tool review! I know I'm very late 3 3/4 year late... But do u know the difference between then Lennox and hilmor snips. Could u do a comparison please?
![How To Use Aviation (Tin) Snips [3 Colors]](/img/n.gif)
I'm on my 3rd set of Midwest. I do metal trim on metal buildings. They are awesome. The salt water from the Gulf beats them down, but you can slow the damage with WD-40, I recommend storing them only after a good spray with WD-40. Midwest also makes their aviation ships in an upright configuration, great for awkward spots and things like cutting holes for downspouts after gutters are already installed. Midwest also manufactures a snip called the Bulldog, which although is not offset, I find them handy for the really tough cuts, like snipping through the 5 layer seam of a commercial downspout.
Do you do the rest of the building too or only the trim?
midwest ftw. i just got a pair of Midwest LH offsets (for air duct work). I used them today for the first time. i was previously using the same type of snips but they were Wiss. The difference is night and day. This review is definitely legitimate. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks!
Great vid. I've been in the roofing business 30 + years installing metal panels and have tried them all. In my opinion for offsets #1 Malco M2006-7 #2 Midwest MWT6510L- R. These are perfect for long cuts and circles. For shorter and precision tip cuts nothing beats Wiss M1R and M2R. Lennox, Stanley, Craftsman DeWalt, Irwin, and HDX are all home owners models IMHO any are okay for light or occasionall use but don't hold up to heavy duty long term use. Thanks again for the video
I am considering to try malco, just tried regular midwest, they're pretty good. Better than the new Wiss M1X
When he said the real test is cutting a thin piece. I knew he was a professional and has experience
Midwest IMHO is the Best snips I've ever had doing HVAC for 15 years. Exellent leverage and excellent and accurate cutting.
I've tried every set of aviation snips in the best ones or the Midwest by far it's not even close
I agree
Good review. I've been in the HVAC-R trade for almost a year now, and today I used a pair of Milwaukee offset snips to cut 8 takeoffs in some 22ga ductwork. Coming from Wiss (did the first two takeoffs with them, actually), I couldn't believe how effortless these Milwaukees felt.......I'm sold on them after today, made some seriously short work of the remaining 6 cuts. Do yourself a favor and try them. They're some badass snips.
How about now? Do you still love them?
Try the Midwest, they are the best I have found and seem to last the longest. 15yr Journeyman Carpenter.
Midwest are wayy better, however recently harber freight has come out with some that look almost identical and only cost 8 bucks.. they work almost the same
Me watching your review 9yrs later. The opening of the grip was something I never realized to consider! I have smaller hands and this review made my decision to get the Midwest snips! Also, according to some other review comments, tradesman seem to prefer the Midwest over Wiss and other brands. Thank you!!
I have a friend who is a tin knocker and he said," Midwest to tin knocker is as Fluke is to an electrician". Nothing is more pleasurable than an easy working tool to make the job progress smoothly. Nothing is more frustrating than a cheap tool that delays progress and causes you to struggle and then the job looks like a novice hack did it. I've heard others say all they use are the Reds. After seeing these vids on the tube a few months ago, I learned "cuts left, doesn't mean the shears cut left at all, it simply means the waste side is to the left. I have reds greens and yellows all are Weiss, till today. I picked up a pair of Midwest red offsets. I noticed the metal shops tend to use the large duck bills. Why is that? Where does their role fit into the scheme of things?
Mike Malone I would assume that they use the large duckbill snips due to the increased leverage & ease of cutting. The aviation snips are very convenient and portable, but for production use where space isnt an issue, I would think that they larger pairs take less effort from the operator to do the same cuts.
Mike Malone Thanks for the comments on the Made in USA Midwest Snips. Cuts left does mean cuts left. Red handle blade designs, especially offsets will make sharp turns to the left, but not the right. Reds and Greens both cut straight equally well. Most right handed people will use a red when they can. Likewise, left-handers will gravitate to the greens. Pros typically have both for situations when they need to cut different directions. Cheers
If lefts are for left handed users, then why would they build the ergonomics of the lefts and rights to include the use of the thumb latch (on the left side of the top handle) for only right handed users, reds and greens alike. If it were built for a left handed user, the latch would be on the right side of the top handle.
+Mike Malone he said left handed people gravitate to greens. Not that they where made for them. Clearly all 3 are aimed at right handed people.
I have been a tin knocker for almost 7 years now. I do shop fabrication, field fab, duct installs, and unit installs/changeouts. I run a crew of sheet metal workers and I advise all my guys to go ahead and spend a little more money to get Midwest snips. They are hands down the most durable and best cutting snips on the market. I still have my same pair of offset reds that I bought in my first year. I still use them everyday.
Wish I would have seen this a few years ago I found a good set of snips through trial and error. Started with cheap craftsman, then Pro Snip, now I'm on Milwaukee's which I'm pleased with but by far the best I have found now that I'm doing HVAC is Malco. Hands down will be my next set of Greens, Reds, and Yellow.
Loving the Videos, just found you a few months ago and have been watching all your videos keep up the great tests.
***** Thanks Sebastian! I am glad you like the videos :) I have seen them in person & heard good things about the Malco snips, but have not used them personally for any length of time. Thanks for the suggestion!
There was a foreman I worked with said that Northern tool carried a 3-pack: straight, LH, RH snips that were less than $20 bucks at the time and that they cut better than many of the common brands shown. That was about 6 years ago though and the quality of everything has gotten so bad now that I almost wouldn't bother.
Midwest snips are a very high quality tool and had a lifetime warranty. I dont know how the warranty process works these days. But you used to be able to bring your snips into SEARS and exchange for a new one with no fuss.
I just got a set of Midwest regular (not offset) snips and had a hard time doing long cuts. I am aware that offset is what I need for long cuts so I went out and got a set of offcuts. Then it dawned on me that offset can cut long and short, so why would anyone buy regular non offset snips. I'm kinda sad then I got the whole set of Midwest non offset to start with, (green red yellow). And now they are basically useless to me.
Also is there even point of the yellow? Both red and green offsets are marketed to do straight cuts too. So why bother with the yellow, offset or otherwise?
I am a sheetmetal worker and I like Irwin brand offset snips and Bessey offsets snips, I think the bessey brand are a little better quality though. Cool video my friend
ro3otbass Nice, I havent tried either of those.....but thanks I am glad you liked the video :)
Ive used both, Besseys are awesome but midwests are still better
tilt your snip out cutting from the center of the jaw with small bites not to the tip with the bottom jaw side for your drop use both left and rights at the same time if your locked on both sides you can use them from the bottom too.
Why does everybody that reviews Aviation Snips not include Malco is by far the best offering when it comes to this type of snips and nobody mentions it much less reviews it
Malco is right up there with Midwest, but the pair I have now don't hold up to thicker gauge metal like my old Midwest's
Problem with wiss is always going out of adjustment
Great review. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on Malco.
Thank you. This was the explainer i was looking for.
Using it wrong but good review - the left should have the cut so your waste is on the left and straight cutter is to cut notches or corner out.
when the waste is on the right, should you not be using the green snips?
yeah, it looked like every cut he made was backwards
I like the midwest brand also, I've had many different pairs of snips in my career.
ro3otbass Yep, the Midwest Snips are definitely one of the best brands I have used.
If they cut left then they're "lefts" a sheet metal worker uses both lefts and rights wether they are right or left handed.
Yeah I realized I was saying it incorrectly after I posted the video. You are correct I should have said "left" & not "left handed". Thanks!
Well I'm from the Midwest but never tried a pair. I'll have to snag one up. I got a brand new pair of wiss mpc 3 snips the other day for free and they cut through everything I've thrown at them so far. I like em.
@RTR Thanks for making this comparison video! Have you tried Malco, Hazet, Gedore, Stahwille, or NWS? I’m curious how they compare to the Midwest snips.
On the trim strip you were uesing the wrong snipps at first the designe is made to channel the waist away from the piece not deforming the piece you intend to keep. They really aren't left and right as much as the direction you need to cut.
I like how he said Midwest was ford and wiss was Chevy
🤣🤣🤣
I would love to see how these Midwest snips stack up against Milwaukee, Malco and the new Fiskars brand aviation snips.
Milwaukee is making some nice snips ... been looking to get a set. Malco is also top of the line.
How about Klein ?
@@Clambelly Klein is okay, higher quality then wiss but I noticed they were about the same force. Milwaukee I would put in the same category as Klein, but my Malco's cut through sheet metal like butter. I do not think id buy any other brand then Malco for snips.
@@andrewh9284 thanks for the info. I picked up Malco 6" seamers ... the quality is amazing. The store did no have Malco snips, but I will look for 'em
so the verdict is, midwest is the best
Menards has the right and left hand offset Midwest snips for under $17 each.
Jaspel Nice....good deal for them......I have used mine for years with no issues.
test the milwaukee and the Stanley fat max
milwaukee are actually real nice. ive been a SMW for 13 years
The both can't measure up. Midwest has taken snips past engineering into art.
23:29 harry homeowner lol
👍
You are using the snips improperly. The waste side should curl up. In your demo you should be using a cuts right snip
yep wrong snips..if he used the right ones bets he would have had slightly different results
Yea that way if your cutting actual sheet of metal you can grab and mangle the trash side and the other side stays clean
All true guys but he was testing function, not how to produce proper products. Even so, I sometimes have to use the 'wrong' pair due to access or, say R Panel and still get good results.
Red ones are right snips mate, the cutting side should curl upwards. This way you can hold the shit end and aid the snips by pulling the metal up. Great video anyhow, I use Wiss. I'll be giving the Midwest a try. Cheers
Red is left and green is right, this is an ongoing debate ... share your opinions please.
Ordered one pair of those Midwest on Amazon. Thanks for letting me discover these snips. Are there any concrete differences between offset and straight-cutting snips? Do you consider Stanley to be a good brand? Thanks.
Oh I forgot, subscribed.
Vylkeer Awesome! I am glad the video helped you out & thanks for subscribing/commenting! As far as differences between regular (straight) & offset, the chances of you cutting yourself with metal is far less with the offset, since the material will be underneath of your fingers instead of aiming straight into your hand as you cut. I dont have any experience with the Stanley versions, but I have seen them in stores....I have not used other brands that are as well made as the Midwest Snips.....you made a good choice.
Great review, do you ever test Klein snips with the curved handles ? They look like the Midwest one maybe they are fabricated from them ?
+Bill I have not seem them, but will check them out...thanks!
Would you say skip the straight snips and go for the left and right snips?
Joe Hanson Yes. I use LH snips most often. And also, go with some offset ones.....cutting metal and having it hit your hands is no fun.
I caught that but I was just curios as to what the use of straight snips are if the material hits your hand since it's not offset.
Very thorough. Thanks!
Can you remake this video but include these snips as well and others you might not have please and thank you.
Dewalt
Malco
Klein
Would love to see some Bessey snips thrown into the mix. Seems that’s who most of the higher end German companies rebrand from.
I was torn between Midwest and Malco but am almost certainly going to give Bessey a shot next instead. Going from USA Wiss which are okay but not perfect.
@@robertohayes8386how are the bessy ones?? I haven’t been to impressed with the Wiss
thanks I ordered a midwest left angle
Excellent! Exactly the review I was looking for! My local Sears has the Midwest 30% less than Amazon - done!
IdRatherB Thanks I am glad you liked it! :)
dmcguinn1 I had purchased Stanley FatMax straight snips yesterday. I returned them today and just got home with my Midwest offset left cutters. Just the feel of them is great. I'm cutting food cans to make stove project kits for my scouts and using the Midwest snips, it honestly feels like I am cutting construction paper with scissors. You're a lifesaver!
I have a pair of old Gilbow shears that cut beautifully. As an aircraft engineer I need good quality shears. Some of these shears have teeth with serrations to stop them slipping? I hate these! The acid test is cutting a sheet of metal in half. This sorts the men from the boys! The Gilbows can clean cut through the middle of a sheet with minimal damage or distortion. This is a tough test.
I’m using Midwest but I’m trying to see if I can get something more better than Midwest
14 yr sheet metal worker here. Dont waste your money, always go midwest.
Having used every brand in video and more, my favorite are the "mobarel" snips from "arca" on amazon. Those, proto, and midwest are my top 3.
Have you used the dewalt ones?
Or the Malco or Klein
Get snap on midwest is the same patend as snapon you pay a lil more but can trade them in every 6 months
Would have loved to see Cuts in Copper and stainless steel. stainless steel because it's really hard to cut through and copper to see how clean of a cut it leaves in soft metal
Use to use nothing but Midwest offsets, uprights, straights, & bulldogs then one day I accidentally picked up one of the other guys Klein’s on the site and made a few cuts I pretty much gave all my Midwest snips to my little cousin and bought everything I had in Midwest in Klein they cost a pretty penny, but when you get tool credit from your employer that doesn’t matter lmao
Stay Woke I got Midwest off sets all this time too and never had an issue with them, are you saying Klein ones are even better the Midwest ones?
Wiss offer now the Edge serie's, Wonder to know how they are .... ?
My snips are Stanley fat max series and there amazing snips
Tools of the trade and everyday life with Nice! I will have to check them out...thanks!
If you turned them at an angle they'd cut better. I cut metal roofing panels everyday.
Just curious. Do you think it's possible the nut on the Wiss snips was not tightened properly or that they were dull?
I'm asking because many like the Wiss brand snips. And a dull or improperly tightened center bolt will cause what you saw in this video, the jaws to splay or it to fold over/bind the material.
Just curious mind you as I'm looking to buy a set of snips, so I'm checking out reviews such as yours.
Last question, are all the offset snips you show considered true compound snips?
Thanks
Great job! Thanks
Since you made this video (five years ago), Wiss has seemed to move production to China -- and the snips are co-branded with Crescent. I don't know if the quality has suffered.
Midwest are still made in the USA. I am going to have to get some the next time I go to Menards.
Recently looked at Wiss/Crescent at TSC, both pairs were made in USA
Good stuff. I really like that Midwest snips. How much are they? And also what do you think about dewalt and Milwaukee aviation snips? I think I would lean toward those brands simply because I'm familiar with them but if the Midwest isn't that much more I'd probably go with Midwest. Also good suggestion on the snips for the vinyl flooring. I did this one flooring job and installed vinyl planks that looked like laminate (floating floor not stick on) and used a jigsaw to cut them, if i would have known better I would have used some snips
A pair of Midwest Snips are typically $15-$20....in comparison, all of the other brands except for the HDX are almost identical in pricing (including the two you listed as far as I know). The HDX comes in a 3-pack, and it is on the shelf for $9.98/set.....so you can see why they most likely sell a lot of them. But, in a professional setting, quality tools are what really make the difference.
dmcguinn1 that's pretty cheap I was thinking a lot more since they were better than the rest
I hate it when stores like Home Depot start releasing junk tool series like the HDX. Sears/Craftsman started doing the Made in China, Evolv, and Mach tool series. Lowes changed the Kobalt series over to the Made in Taiwan tools. People don't understand that just because it says Brand X on it doesn't mean it is any good. Those stores are selling low quality items to make a quick buck.
Yeah, I agree, they sell mainly to the weekend warriors who only use the snips for a little project and they may work for them. Guys like me who use them everyday can spot junk snips in a second. Sears craftsman offsets use to be my favorite snips, when they got dull I would exchange them for new ones, I guess they didn't make any money on all the exchanges.
kj197734 Well, sadly because they "look" the same, and cost 75% less than a quality tool....people refuse to think there is any difference. But, then again, that is how they get them to keep buying tools over & over...since the junk ones break constantly.
Ok where can i buy midwest snips in southern california?
Hey real tool review!
I know I'm very late 3 3/4 year late... But do u know the difference between then Lennox and hilmor snips. Could u do a comparison please?
I hate how they aren't clear on the type of snips they are. You usually have to go half way down the product description to find out if they are straight, left or right cutters.
It should be in the product name.
Also reds aren't left handed. ..they are right handed but they cut to the left....blades face the same way as straights....
I picked up on me saying that the wrong way after i uploaded this video. ... you are correct. ... these are not "left handed", they are "left cutting" .... thanks!
I couldn't help but notice that, you are improperly using them. you need to lay the material that you are cutting flat against the cutting edge of the bottom blade. not doing so will absolutely destroy your snips in one cut if not careful.
also the pressure you are feeling is you fighting the bending of the bolt that is holding the snips together..
James Sturgis There is absolutely zero chance that cutting mild steel sheetmetal with hardened snips will somehow break the snips in one cut....not going to happen....ever. How would a HVAC tech cut a hole into existing ductwork & ensure that the bottom blade stays flat against the surface while they are in a 100+ degree attic running lines?
You're using them incorrectly, No it will not break the snips but it will certainly dull them.
Go out and try for your self, Greens you need to lean them to to the right, reds lean to the left. They will cut significantly better.
+troy chrisman
Sorry... reds Right greens left haha
i can speak from personal experience that cutting at anything other than a 90 degree angle to the surface will dull the crap out of the blades. Also, Lenox snips are in my usage (26-18 ga rolled and stamped steel) garbage. The Milwaukee ones are pretty decent though. Midwest is the best I've used. Wiss makes good seamers though.
Can anyone tell me what kind of gloves his using, they look awesome.
www.amazon.com/Mechanix-Wear-Original-Dexterity-X-Large/dp/B0001VNYL0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1503467585&sr=8-3&keywords=mechanix+0.5
Dude! Wrong way to cut with them, the waste side is where the lower jaw faces on them, makes it easier to cut when the waste side is not much material to curl up.
Is there a Husky brand tin snip?
you wouldn't want them if there was
wiss will start to fold metal after a little use, you cant go wrong with midwest
I watch the video of billsmetal it's all about technics , he even use a harbor frieght snip sets for aluminum no problem
Its actually a common misconception the Red pairs are RIGHTS but you hold them with your right hand and they cut LEFT. The GREEN pair are lefts as you hold them with your LEFT hand but they cut RIGHT. However both pairs will also cut straight as you mentioned. Midwest vs malco please!!! Fellow HVAC tech! I use midwest but i used my buddies malcos and they were so smooth! Not sure if its cause his were brand new and mine were 2 years old but I’d be really curious to know which pair work better the malco or midwest!
I notice the Lenox looks very similar to my buddies Malcos. Not sure if Malco and Lennox are working together or one pays the other for rights to the design but they look identical other than the brand and colors used on the grips.
wrong, red are left,right are green. its an aviation and nautical reference to navigation lights,look it up.
Ever make up your mind Malco vs Midwest?
Midwest are the best ever that I had
I have Bessey snips made in Germany ,very good quality and really expensive ,problem its they open too wide ,i use the Snap on snips i believe Snap on owns Midwest. Irwin ,stanley ,wiss i don't think they on the same level as Midwest.Thanks for the video.
RED=RHC
GREEN=LHC
MIdwests new grips are horrible in comparison to the older ones and something seems weaker in the blades, still my preferred snips
Midwest is the only way to go
hm thats a weird looking wiss snips, i only seen straight ones
,,, BESSEY ERDY ,,, is the best SNIPS
"Wear gloves and eye protection," he says as he does all of his test without eye protection.
I just wanted to make sure you were paying attention....
Those are offset snips, not aviation
HERES A REAL REVIEW FOR PEOPLE.....yes....Lenox snips are terrible....right out of the package ..garbage....the old Stanleys were GREAT, raptor snips are GREAT...similar to Stanley....wiss are ok.....millwaki not very good at all....craftsman not very good...craftsman are similar to millwaki in cutting and force....hdx sucks obviously....princess auto pro point are actually not bad at all...similar to old Stanley and raptor snips...similar to wise also......cant wait to try midwest......hope my opinion helps people avoid marketing garbage. #1 probably midwest I GUESS.....2 old Stanley...2 raptor....4 pro point princess auto...ODDLY ENOUGH.....and yes Offsets are the best....blows my mind how sheet metal guys are stuck on using regular snips to cut pipe or tin????? and obviously the large offset snips are good.....malco and wiss are better then husky....but at the price point of those husky isn't a bad option for the price difference
I heard Klein are good but $$$$$ and im forgetting some others as well....but I have used all the above
Why wouldn't you use prosnips they work way better then midwest
wtf are prosnips
@@Volfas Prosnip is a brand
@@Volfas apparently I just checked and it seems they were purchased by Irwin so they're probably trash now
you should do a real review between midwest, malco and those european curved snips that dont have no rubber grip. why hasnt anybody made the handle titanium with replaceable blades????? whyyyyyyy. i stil think the craftsman were the best though
Where are ur safety glasses ?
Midwest are most def the best out of these.... these are alll offsets.... With straights not offsets wiss are the best.....lenox are ok but they just aren't as good as the Midwest offsets... if you use snips frequently there are a cpl brands better than midwest but Dewalt and Milwaukee are not. ... the Milwaukees are ok but go with midwest out of these 4
Kind of funny how you have so many tin snips but you are using them... you should watch hillsmetal video on using tin snips. I'll be productive rather than make fun.
I hate cheap tools!
18 guage is 1.2mm for the rest of the world.
Hey real tool review!
I know I'm very late 3 3/4 year late... But do u know the difference between then Lennox and hilmor snips. Could u do a comparison please?
Lenox is garbage.....worst nips I ever used in 16 years