Snips - Midwest Tool & Cutlery - USA Midwest Snips®

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My Midwest Snips� aviation snip folds the material between the blades instead of cutting it cleanly. What�s wrong?
ANSWER: The snip needs to be adjusted to bring the blades, which have �loosened�, back into alignment. This is done by tightening the center pivot bolt. Midwest Snips� have a threaded center pivot bolt � a feature unique to our snips � to help maintain this alignment. See our website for simple instructions on how to make this adjustment.

Can a Midwest Snips� aviation snip be sharpened?
ANSWER: We do not re-sharpen blades due to the cost. We also do not recommend that an end-user attempt to sharpen an aviation snip. Our blades have been tested and last over 30,000 cuts and thus should not need sharpening. Also, when our snips are manufactured a tapered shear and specific �edge set� is ground into the blades that are critical to cutting performance. An end-user simply does not have the equipment and expertise to do this.

Stainless steel is harder to cut than soft sheet metal. Is there a snip designed for this kind of metal?
ANSWER: Stainless steel is a harder material than regular cold rolled or soft sheet metal. Midwest Tool and Cutlery Co. manufactures a special hardness series of aviation snips for this purpose. Our special hardness models (SSP6716-L, SSP6716-R, SSP6510-L, SSP6510-R) are specially heat treated to produce a higher hardness blade that will better withstand cutting hardened metals such as stainless steel, inconel and titanium.

My P6300 rolls the wire when I try to cut. Do the blades need to be replaced?
ANSWER: No. The tool needs to be adjusted by tightening the center pivot bolt. To do this: 1. Loosen locknut on the blade adjustment blot (the blot with a large head) with a wrench and unlock safety latch, freeing handles. 2. Hold handles together in hand and tighten adjustment bolt by turning head of bolt clockwise with other hand. Tighten adjustment blot just enough to hold handles in this position. 3. Tighten locknut on adjustment bolt. 4. Holding locknut in place, turn adjustment bolt head counterclockwise just enough to allow handles to spring open.

What's the deal with cutting lead with Tin Snips? I've heard from many people that it bluntens the snips very quickly. I tried to tell my boss this and he didn't beleive me because lead it softer than steel. He drew the analogy to glass make diamonds blunt ie it wouldn't happen. Can you give me some technical data as to why lead makes tin snips blunt? Thanks
ANSWER: First of all, to provide an accurate answer, we need to know how thick the lead is you are cutting. That said, lead does not dull an aviation snip. What does happen however is since lead is soft it "fills in or gums up" the serrations on an aviation snip, and this will cause it to not function as well. Depending on the thickness of what you are cutting, you might try a tinner snip (like a pair of scissors) because they to not have the same serrations in the blade. They will still "gum up" cutting soft materials, but normally this can be removed by periodic use of a wire brush.

How do you properly use the duct stretcher?
ANSWER: Visit www.midwestsnips.com, go to products tab and then click on "new tools". go to the duct tightener and click on the "installation video link". The duct stretcher is used as follows: the two duct sections are pulled close enough together to allow the duct tightener to be slid over the two adjoining sections. The Y shaped opening is positioned so that it accommodates both pieces of duct and is then tapped on with a hammer to pull the two pieces into tight alignment. This allows the drive cleat to be slid on over the duct tightener. Drive the cleat on a couple of inches and then pull and remove the duct tightener. finish installing the drive cleat.

Can the P6300 Cable Cutter blades be replaced and where can I buy them?
ANSWER: The blades on the P6300 Cable Cutter are not replaceable. They are made out of M2 tool steel and held in place with factory installed pins. They can withstand extremely heavy duty use. If the inserts break, it may be covered under our warranty policy. Return the cable cutter to Midwest Tool for inspection/repair/replacement.

the special hardened snips are good for both heavy and light sheets?
ANSWER: Yes, the special hardness snips are designed to cut up to 18 gauge cold rolled sheet metal (CRSM) and 22 gauge stainless steel sheet metal (SSSM). The blades on the "SSP" models are austemper heat-treated to Rockwell hardness 61, which, with proper use will provide longer blade life.

We install aluminum and steel roofing. will the MagSnips cut 26 gauge steel with ease?
ANSWER: Our MagSnips cutting capacity is 24 gauge cold rolled sheet metal and 28 gauge stainless steel.

Where can I purchase replacements blades for model M1200?
ANSWER: Please click on the link for our distributor locator. Enter your zip code to find a distributor near you.

what is the warranty on your snips? do I simply return to vendor?
ANSWER: Midwest Snips carry a limited lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. If the snips fails to perform as a result of a manufacturing defect, return the tool to the manufacturer. This warranty does not cover wear or dullness or damage to cutting edge due to misuse, abuse or extensive use. If purchased at a Midwest Snips distributor, return to the distributor and they will evaluate the snip and if it meets warranty they will issue you a new product. If purchased at retail, contact the retailer. If you wish to return it to us, mail it to Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company, 1210 Progress Street, P.O. Box 160, Sturgis, Michigan, 49091. It should be mailed posted or UPS prepaid. We do not accept collect shipments. Return address must be provided. We will examine the snip and determine if breakage or malfunction is the result of a manufacturing defect. Product will be repaired or replaced and returned or a "warranty void" notification will be issued.

PIPE CUTTER WHAT IS THE MAX GUAGE TO CUT
ANSWER: The maximum cutting capacity for the MW-P1 is 24 gauge CRSM.

Is there a special tool for cutting a 6" round hole on top of the duct for adding heat ducts to basement? The area is between joists and somewhat confined. Thanks. Martin
ANSWER: Midwest Snips Upright Snips are unmatched in their ease of use in cutting a hole in the top of existing ductwork. The left cut model is the P6900L Upright Snip.

where do i send snips in for warranty
ANSWER: Midwest Snips carry a limited lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. If the snips fails to perform as a result of a manufacturing defect, return the tool to the manufacturer. This warranty does not cover wear or dullness or damage to cutting edge due to misuse, abuse or extensive use. If purchased at a Midwest Snips distributor, return to the distributor and they will evaluate the snip and if it meets warranty they will issue you a new product. If purchased at retail, contact the retailer. If you wish to return it to us, mail it to Midwest Tool and Cutlery Company, 1210 Progress Street, P.O. Box 160, Sturgis, Michigan, 49091. It should be mailed posted or UPS prepaid. We do not accept collect shipments. Return address must be provided. We will examine the snip and determine if breakage or malfunction is the result of a manufacturing defect. Product will be repaired or replaced and returned or a "warranty void" notification will be issued.