Tin snips

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Tin snips are tools used to cut thin sheet metal. They use the same principles as common scissors, but are able to handle thicker and harder material. There are three different types of tin snips; straight cutting, left cutting, and right cutting. Straight cutting snips (usually yellow)cut in a straight line, left cutting snips (usually red) will cut in a curve to the left, and right cutting snips (usually green) will cut in a curve to the right.

In practical use the red snips pictured will be used in the right hand, for straight or curving cuts, with the base material to the right being cut neatly and the left hand will be pulling away a spiraling offcut. The green snips work in the opposite fashion in the left hand, with the waste being on the right.

A similar tool called aviation snips can cut sheet metal with less effort than tin snips. A compound lever mechanism provides greater control with less effort. The serrated jaws prevent slippage and withstand heavy use. Also it is designed with a latch that holds the jaws closed if desired. The insulated handles have the same color-coding as with tin snips described above.

A tool called a hand notcher makes clean V-shaped cuts in sheet metal without slippage. The compound-action handles produce necessary leverage for fast cutting.

Source: "Reader's Digest Book of Skills and Tools"

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Last updated on Wednesday May 21, 2008 at 22:39:59 PDT (GMT -0700)
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