We recently posted about all of the new Milwaukee pliers that the red team is bringing to market in 2015. In addition to all those hand tools, Milwaukee is also coming out with a bunch of new HVAC, sheet metal, and tinner tools.
The new offerings greatly expand upon Milwaukee’s compound-action sheet metal cutters and snips, which I don’t think I’ve mentioned since they were announced in 2011.
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Milwaukee says that the new products allow them to provide a complete metalworking solution for the user.
To start off, there will be a new compound-offset tinner snip, which Milwaukee says is the industry’s first tool of its kind. The offset tinner is said to deliver 2x more force than the competition. As is often the case, the compound action mechanism amplifies the user’s force to provide greater tool force. This translates to easier cuts in tougher metal materials, will less effort.
The offset tinner snip also has a 45° angle to help keep users’ hands well clear of the material that’s being cut. This typically means more comfort and faster work.
The handle and blades are held together with Bolt-Lock technology that ensures the blades will not loosen over time.
Milwaukee will also offer classic straight tinner snips in 10″, 12″, and 16″ lengths, and a duckbill model for tight radius cuts. These tinner snips will also feature Milwaukee’s Bolt-Lock pivot hardware.
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The snips feature forged blades and larger handle loops for easy use, even with gloves on.
There will also be a new 13″ lightweight tinner snips, which features 3-1/3″ blades that provide “best-in-class” cutting length, and an aluminum-bodied handle. User-replaceable blades will also be available.
One other feature you might have noticed in the above photo are finger loops, which should provide for a better grip.
In addition to all of the new snips, there will be a new 3″ Speed Seamer, and a 5-blade HVAC crimper. Common features include a forged metal head and comfortable overmolded handles.
The Speed Seamer has 3/8″ and 1″ markings to quickly measure common HVAC folding widths.
The 5-blade HVAC crimper has reinforced crimper ribs that are meant to provide greater stability, which should in turn prolong tool life up to twice as long as usual.
Milwaukee says that both the Speed Seamer and crimper are designed to be comfortable for both overhand and underhand use. This also means that the heads are straight and not offset as with some other tools on the market.
List of New Tinner Snips and Forming Tools
- Compound- Offset Tinner Snips, $25 (48-22-4005)
- 10″ Classic Tinner Snips, $17 (48-22-4003)
- 12″ Classic Tinner Snips, $20 (48-22-4002)
- 16″ Bulldog Classic Tinner Snips (48-22-4001)
- 10″ Duckbill Classic Tinner Snips, $17 (48-22-4004)
- 13″ Lightweight Tinner Snips, $33 (48-22-4006)
- Lightweight Tinner Snips Replacement Blades, $10 (48-22-4007)
- 3″ SPEED SEAMER, $55 (48-22-6000)
- 5-Blade HVAC Crimper, $35 (48-22-6001)
First Thoughts
I don’t have much experience with tinner snips or HVAC tools, although I have used snips here and there and a sheet metal seamer. Some of the features seem really appealing (and I suppose that was the point), and I like the look of the compound offset tinner snips and lightweight tinner snips especially.
Compound action is usually a good thing, and I could definitely see the appeal of using the compound offset snips on aluminum and steel sheet materials, and even on non-metallic sheet materials such as rubber sheeting or even thin plastic.
Most of the offerings, at least those that I’ve seen retailer listings for, seem reasonably and competitively priced, although some of the tools are a little pricier than comparable Malco and Midwest offerings.
fred
As you intimate – this is a fairly crowded market with competition on some items from Klein, Klenk, Malco, Midwest, Stortz, and Wiss. But competition is good – and Milwaukee’s presence in Home Depot may make some of these items more widely available. I probably bought more from Malco over the years – because of the breadth of their offerings and their USA manufacturing (at least when I was buying commercially.) Some of my more recent Malco fence tools however, seem to have been made for them in France by Edma.
fred
BTW – the compound-offset snips do look like they may become popular if they live up to claims. A non-compound offset NWS snip was popular with some of our guys:
http://chadstoolbox.com/nws-070-12-300-tin-mens-shears-300-mm/
Bruce
Wiss metal handle are the best tin snips I’ve ever used. I’ve never bothered with the lighter shears because most duct work is heavy enough to require the compound action. I’ve found snips with plastic handles to be a waste of money, the handles bend before you can get enough leverage to cut 18g sheet steel.
Jay k.
Any panduit/zip tie tighteners?
Stuart
Unfortunately, not that I’ve seen or heard of.
Maybe they’ll see your comment and go “hmmm….” before adding zip tie tensioners to their R&D roadmap.
Mizzourob
Will Milwaukee ever come out with regular slip joint pliers? If so they cam just go ahead and take my money!
Stuart
Slip joint pliers don’t seem to be very popular these days.
Have you checked out Wilde and Tekton models? Made in the USA and pretty inexpensive:
https://toolguyd.com/wilde-flush-fastener-pliers-review/
https://toolguyd.com/tekton-usa-made-pliers-review/
Pete
I have never wanted to own a plain pair of slip joint pliers.
Dan
I own a pair of slip joint pliers which I use to crack hazelnuts, which is all I have really found them useful for.
Chris
There are a ton of good slip joints out there… Quality slip joints like channellock
Phil
The tinner’s snips, seamer and crimper look really nice, especially compared to the crummy, no-name crimper and seamer i have. These tools also get used by roofers for flashing and gutter work, and all too often the tools sold alongside those items are not very good. I used my cheap crimper not long ago for installing a woodstove, and the cheap tool bent and become useless when I was crimping the stove pipes to fit on inside the other. Granted, the sheet metal was thicker than the thin aluminum you find with gutters, but it was weak and sloppy with that soft metal too. Lightweight tinner’s snips are also more convenient for cutting light gauge metals and plastics than the heavier compound action shears you might be used to, and tend to be more accurate and easier to guide around complex cuts. Anyone into electronics that had to made or modify thin copper or tinplate steel shielding cans and had to use bulky aviation shears or similar would love the smaller, lightweight tools here.
I have to give the guys at Milwaukee credit. They are chasing every trade they possibly can. DeWalt is starting to branch out as well, and from what I’ve seen they have some good stuff in those spaces.
Glenn
Although I own and use Milwaukee tools, am I the only one that finds their “2 x longer, best in class, 4 x this, 4 x that, 30% more power blah blah” form of advertising obnoxious?
Chris
It’s all marketing BS, hoping for people to buy into it…. They are like mentioned above attacking every trade with every tool imaginable but these tools in these trades are dominated by companies that have been doing this for decades… Unless they are sold for dirt cheap, the tried, tested and true brands will always win. I can’t see them making inroads with these tools.
Stuart
I understand the reasoning for it. They’re entering saturated markets, and see a need to quantify the advantages to help their tools stand out.
I find the claims interesting enough to mention them in posts. Obnoxious? Sometimes, sure. Then again, I’m used to it.
To be honest, I usually prefer quantified selling points rather than hyperbole.
“Best in class” is tricky, but I find it usually helps put things in perspective.
daniel reetz
I bought the Milwaukee aviation snip set at Home Depot and it changed my entire opinion about aviation snips. I’d used Wiss and a number of others, and they were OK, but always kind of annoying or not-quite-right, but the Milwaukees were just incredibly sharp and seemed to do a much better job for me. I look forward to buying a bunch of their other cutting products.
Nathan
are you perhaps comparing new snips to some old ones that are worn you have laying around?
I ask because occasionally I catch myself doing something similar.
Nathan
I like competition – question though – where are these made?
Chris
Like most milwaukee tools, made in china I bet
Steve Dudiwka
I am a union sheetmetal worker just passed the 40 year mark in service Midwest offset snips right and left have been the preferred tool for us who use snips everyday. I just bought a set of Milwaukee offset aveys,l own some of there locking pliers and so far they seem to be as good as any vice grip. I am anxious to see how there snips perform
Oliver
Garbage, snips dull far too quickly and are overpriced. Just get Midwest, Wiss or Malco. Seriously, these are better quality, competitively priced, and mostly MADE IN USA, tools.
Don’t support brands, support products made in the USA.
Stuart
Have you even tried these, or are you just ranting?