2 comments about Malco FCS Fiber Cement Hand Snip.

1. These are excelent snips to cut curves and small cuts on 5/16" Fiber Cement siding. I use them mainly to cut around circle openings like circle top windows etc. You can cut very snall diameter holes. Easy to operate and comfortable. Good clean surface cuts. Highly recommended. I use the Steelhead power shears to make my main straight cuts but with the SS404 I have it doesn't cut tight curves.



2. I definitely didn't have the same good results as BobS did with the Malco snips. These snips work on the same principle as fiber cement electric shears. Two bottom forks support the work during cutting while a center cutting knife shears the fiber cement. The electric shears are efficient and yield good results because the bottom forks are wide enough to support the board and the center cutting knife has a close tolerance fit between the forks. This is not the case in Malco shears and the quality of cut suffers. The top surface of the board has a fairly clean cut while the backside of the board is badly crumpled. The problem with the Malco shears is that the bottom forks are made from narrow pieces are steel that have a nasty tenedencey to dig into the backside of the board. The Malco shears center knife has a huge gap between the center cutting knife and bottom support forks. Consequently this portion of the board is not adequately supported during cutting. With these two features, you end up with a crumbled cut on the backside of the board. If this doesn't bother you, than these snips will work for you. I personally will pass on the Malco snips.

1 comments about Irwin 21304 11-3/4-Inch Extra Cut Multi Purpose Snip.

1. We really like this tool in our maintenance department. We have anothe brand that is not half the tool this one is.

No comments about M-D Building Products 49054 Tile Nippers.

No comments about Diamond 14D 14-Inch Hoof Nipper with Plastic Grips.

No comments about Diamond FN15 15-Inch Farrier Nipper.

No comments about 8" End Nipper Pliers.

No comments about Fiskars 12-7926 6984 Titanium Nitride No. 8 Shop Snip.

No comments about Sheet Metal 1 Ton Hand Power Punch.

4 comments about Bessey D23 All Purpose Sheet Metal Nibbler.

1. I purchased this hand nibbler, along with several others, for use in a Middle School class (10-14 yeear olds) where we were cutting 1/16" aluminum. Most of the kids had enough hand strength to use it effectively. The scissors design provides quite a bit of leverage compared to other nibbler designs. The main drawback is that this nibbler really wants to make straight cuts. Most other hand nibblers (such as the Klein Tools nibbler) allow you to easily make 90 degree turns. This one does not.
   
   Here are two tips:
   
   When making long cuts, take partial bites just as you would with a pair of scissors. This is significantly easier than cutting completely through each time. You'll end up with little curls of scrap. Watch that these don't get stuck in the tool.
   
   In tight spots (like when cutting near angles), it sometimes helps to flip the tool upside down...



2. I ordered this product so that I could install a whole-house humidifier. I needed to cut two rectangular holes and one round hole in my ductwork in order to accomplish this. The Bessey Sheet Metal Nibbler worked perfectly! The product is reliable and very sturdy.



3. I bought this identical tool at a discount tool store that specializes in Asian import tools. The regular list price was $6.99 and it was on clearance for $5.00. It is actually not a nibbler. It should be called a sheer. It sheers a strip of metal rather than nibbling out little pieces. It does straight lines and curves just fine, but it cannot make a 90 degree turn like a nibbler can. The cutter on mine is a loose fit in the jaws. I don't know if they are all that way or if mine is defective. The result is that it turns the edge of the metal along the cut. I have to do a little hammering on the piece when I am done to get it flat again. I have used it to fabricate parts from aluminum sheet metal and it is meeting my needs. But I think I want the Klein tool next time.



4. Tool is well made and work as it should. What would you expect, its a Bessey?

No comments about M-D Building Products 49943 Compound Tile Nippers (PRO).