I have a secret. Iโve actually been using the Milwaukee straight cutting aviation snips for over 4 years now. I just never bothered to review them. The other day I used them yet again for something I take for grantedโcutting some small pieces of flashing for a decking project. It was then I realized my mistake. When you find a tool thatโs really durable and useful, you should tell others.
This is me telling others.
Thatโs really it in a nutshell, but Iโll delve a bit further into this reviewย and tell you that this tool has lasted quite a long time without any significant corrosion. Thatโs in spite of it residing in a ย humid shop for over 4 years with no real effort to protect the tool. I tookย that for granted until Iย stopped to consider how many other tools I own have begun to look a tad corroded. Shame on me for not applying some tool oilโbut I digress.
Comfort and Ergonomics
In terms of comfort, the handles of the Milwaukee straight cutting aviation snips are nice and long. You have a great finger lock that curves out to give you additional control when cutting. Like the rest of Milwaukeeโs hand cutting tools, these useย comfortable rubber grips that far exceedย dipped handles. Also, these areย appropriately color coded aviation snips handles soย know youโre grabbing a straight snips when you see the yellow markings.
Milwaukee usedย colored accents on the grips (as opposed to coloring the whole grip). Itโs intuitive if youโre familiar with aviation snips: Red isย left cutting (counter-clockwise curves), yellow is straight cutting, and green isย right cutting (clockwise curves). Crimpers and seamers have aย white accent. Sheet metal is dangerous and sharpโuse the right snips for the job.
Locking the tool down whenย youโre done with it is easy.ย Theย thumb lock activates with one hand and unlocks just as easily.
Milwaukee Straight Cutting Aviation Snips Features
While presenting the ease of use of the Milwaukee 45 degreeย offset snips, these straight cutting aviation snips are easy to control in thinner sheet metal. I love theย thumb and forefinger slots in the rubber grip handle that lets youย drive forward into the sheet metalย as youย cut. Milwaukee alsoย did a good job keeping the bolts from sticking out to far and creating problems as the tool moves forward. If you donโt do this, the bolts getย hung up on the material while you cut.
In between cuts, I stuck the snips in the outsideย pocket of my Armed work wear pants. They went in easily and are very easy to grip, unlock, re-lock, and release.
The Milwaukee straight cutting aviationย snips are made from forged metal. The company states this is ten times stronger than comparable cast heads. The snips are alsoย chrome plated. All Milwaukee snipsย areย backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
There are severalย types of snipsย available:
- Straight Cutting (48-22-4032)
- Left Cutting (48-22-4012)
- Right Cutting (48-22-4022)
- Tradesman Set (48-22-4023)
All models and the 2-piece set are offered as 10 inch tools. Plan on paying around $12-$18 for individual tools and $30-$35 for aย set.
Milwaukee Aviation Straight Cutting Snips Specs
- Model: 48-22-4030
- One-hand locking
- Flush bolt design
- Forged alloy steel blades
- Hard chrome plated blades
- Ergonomic handles
- Serrated jaws
- Capacity: 18 ga. cold rolled steel; 22 ga.ย stainless steel
- Size: 10ย in.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- Pricing: $12.97
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