Vinyl siding snips

Ultradog MN · Sep 3, 2016

Tell me about vinyl siding snips?
I am about to start the siding on this addition.
I saw some guys using siding snips when they did the new vinyl siding on my neighbor's house this summer but didn't think to ask what brand they were using.
Someone here must do siding for a living - there is every other kind of trade here.
Wondering if they are quicker/easier than aviation snips.
I like tools and always buy good ones.
I see Malco makes them.
Any other good brands? Advice?
Thanks.

Bill in IL · Sep 3, 2016

I am no siding pro but have done a couple houses. I don't know the brand but they were the same as aviation snips but had long 2 or 3 inch blades. Really worked good to get across the middle rib cause they had some reach to them.

Jeff NWOH · Sep 3, 2016

A Metabo with a regular metal cutting disc works amazingly well.

Bill in IL · Sep 3, 2016

After looking around a bit it looks like Wiss M300 are very similar to what I have.

IowaJohn · Sep 3, 2016

I use tin snips. I only do repair work on our house so I try and hide my cuts behind the factory cut if I can.

dr sportster · Sep 3, 2016

Any union tin knocker I have seen uses Craftsman because they are returnable. They all like Wiss but not the warranty so Craftsman.

Goose · Sep 3, 2016

For straight cuts, a small cordless power saw with a fine toothed blade installed backwards works well. Works best if you tie the blade guard back.

old · Sep 3, 2016

Back when I was doing siding and roofs we used simple tin snips to cut the siding. Yes some types work better then others but all in all there just tin snips

Determined · Sep 3, 2016

What I use is a small set of garden shears.
They have about 4 inch blades and the same leverage design as tin snips.
The bigger bite keeps the cuts straighter.

IA Roy · Sep 3, 2016

If doing straight cuts, there is a vinyl cutting circular saw blade available at Menards and other locations. It looks like a plywood blade but the teeth are backwards inclined. I built a cutting fixture and put on sawhorses to keep cuts straight. I also built it to do the gable end cuts left and right. It made my cuts correct and consistent.

Geo-TH,In · Sep 3, 2016

I turn the blade around on Miter saw or radial arm saw.

I know you aren't a fan of cordless tools, but my last job on a room addition, I reversed blade of cordless saw. It worked great, better than corded saw because it runs slower. Nice to use on scuffling when working by myself.

Cordless saw or even corded saw is the only thing I use when cutting the angle cuts on a 4/12 gable end.

Brendon Warren · Sep 3, 2016

I like to use the cut off wheels in my cordless grinder. Especially the angle cuts at the gables. It saves a lot of blisters from the tin snips.

marloweg · Sep 3, 2016

cut off wheel on grinder

Leroy · Sep 3, 2016

Just an old 8" table saw with a 7 1/4" saw blade turned backwards.

Rich'sToys · Sep 3, 2016

On the few buildings I've done I've always used tin snips.

Stephen Newell · Sep 4, 2016

Cutting a few pieces I would probably use tin snips. A whole job I would probably get a sliding miter box and get a fine tooth plywood blade and turn it around backwards.

Ultradog MN · Sep 4, 2016

Thanks Bill.
I really am looking for a set of siding snips.
There's a big siding supply outfit not far from me and I know they sell Malco tools.
I'll probably run down there Tuesday morning and buy a pair.
As for doing the general cutting I agree that an angle grinder with an abrasive cut off wheel is the handiest and quickest.
As long as you make your cuts so the factory end is exposed.
Thanks to all.

Vinyl siding snips

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

Bill in IL

Well-known Member

Jeff NWOH

Member

Bill in IL

Well-known Member

IowaJohn

Member

dr sportster

Well-known Member

Goose

Well-known Member

old

Well-known Member

Determined

Well-known Member

IA Roy

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

Brendon Warren

Well-known Member

marloweg

Well-known Member

Leroy

Well-known Member

Rich'sToys

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

Similar threads