What Are Tin Snips?
Tin snips are tools designed for cutting through sheet metal (tin, aluminum, copper, thin-gauge stainless steel etc.) and metal mesh. They’re also useful for cutting other materials that are too tough for scissors, such as leather, cardboard, plastic and vinyl. You may hear people refer to tin snips generally as aviation snips, tinner’s snips, metal shears or simply as snips.
Aviation Snips vs. Tin Snips
While some use the terms aviation snips and tin snips interchangeably, there are differences between these two types of metal snips.
Basic tin snips look like a large pair of scissors, with two handles ending in a set of blades joined at a single pivot point. They function like scissors.
Aviation snips are a more complex type of tin snips. They have multiple joints that create a compound action for more leverage, allowing you to cut thicker material more easily. You’ll also see models designed specifically for cutting curves cleanly.
Crimpers look similar to tin snips with a similar handle configuration and a large set of jaws. However, crimpers are designed not to cut, but rather to crimp the end of a piece of duct work so it will fit inside another piece.
Types of Tin Snips
When shopping for tin snips, and specifically for aviation snips, you’ll notice several types: straight-cut, right-cut and left-cut snips, often marked with yellow, green and red, respectively. Each is suited to specific cutting tasks. Finding the best snips depends on the type of cutting you need to do. If you’re going to be taking on projects that’ll require a lot of cutting, you may want several types.
Yellow Snips
Yellow-marked snips are straight-cut aviation snips. Yellow snips:
- Work best for straight cuts no longer than the length of the blade
- Are good for short cuts or for notching material
- Can cut some gradual curves
You can find straight-cut snips in several variations:
- Standard snips have straight blades that are perfect for cutting straight notches.
- Long snips are designed for longer straight cuts.
- Bulldog snips have relatively short blades good for trim work, smaller cuts and, due to increased leverage, cutting into thicker material or cutting through metal seams.
Red Snips
Red-marked snips are left-cut aviation snips. Red snips:
- Are very effective for cutting curves to the left
- Leave clean cuts on the right side of the blade with the waste material on the left side
- Can make straight cuts
- Are also known as counterclockwise-cut snips
Green Snips
Green-marked snips are right-cut aviation snips. Green snips:
- Are great for cutting curves to your right
- Create a clean cut on the left side of the blades with waste material on the right side.
- Work with straight cuts.
- Are also known as clockwise-cut snips
While the color coding for snips is standard, manufacturers may include their brand colors on the handles. In these cases, look for the standard yellow, green or red markings elsewhere on the tool.
Offset Snips
Offset snips, with the jaws of the tool set at an angle to the handles, are available in straight, left-cut and right-cut configurations. The offset of the blades keeps your hands above the work piece and clear of the sharp edges of the material as you cut.
Offset snips are particularly useful for long cuts through a wide work piece. Snips with blades offset at 90 degrees are useful for working in tight spaces.
Features to Look for In Tin Snips
A few variations in these hand tools will make your work easier and more efficient.
- A lock latch keeps the snips closed when you’re not using them, protecting the blades as well as the user.
- Spring-enabled latches allow you to unlock the latch with one hand. Simply squeeze the handles to release the latch.
- Ergonomic handles let you cut with less fatigue.
- Spring-action opening also makes cutting easier on your hand.
- Hardened edges on cutting blades stay sharp longer than non-hardened blades.
- Serrated blades grab the workpiece, giving you more control. Note that the serrations can leave minor indentions on the work piece.
- Measurements on the lower blade allow more accurate cuts.
When Do You Need Tin Snips?
Tin snips are useful to have in your tool box for just about any time scissors can’t handle the task at hand. Some projects, however, really benefit from a good pair (or set) of snips:
- Working with roofing materials
- Installing vinyl siding
- Installing or repairing gutters
- Installing or repairing metal ductwork
- Sizing carpet and vinyl flooring
- Auto body repair
- Crafting projects involving metal, leather etc.
As a general rule, snips with larger, heavier blades can cut thicker or tougher material than snips with smaller blades, but always check the product specifications to make sure you’re getting the best snips for your work.
Using Tin Snips
Tin snips are simple to use, but there are some things you can do to get the best results.
- Maximize cutting power by cutting with the work piece as deep in the jaws of the snips as possible.
- If you’re cutting curves, use the correct set of snips (right-cut for clockwise curves and left cut for counterclockwise curves) for the highest-quality cut.
- Don’t try to cut beyond the capacity of the snips. The maximum thickness a set of snips can cut is usually indicated on the packaging in a gauge (ga) number or millimeters (mm). For example, you might see a cut capacity of 18ga (1.2mm) sheet metal or 22ga (.7mm) stainless steel. Note that higher gauges indicate thinner material.
The cut edges of sheet metal, metal mesh and many other materials are extremely sharp. Pieces of the workpiece may become airborne while you’re cutting. When using tin snips, wear gloves made of heavy-duty leather or another cut-resistant material and protect your eyes with safety glasses.