Aviation snips, also known as tin snips or tinsnips, are specialized cutting tools used for cutting thin metal sheets, such as aluminum and steel. They are used in many applications, including aviation (hence the name) and construction.
Aviation snips are designed to cut metal that is up to 18 gauge thick (no thicker) and have pointed blades designed to get in tight corners and narrow spaces. The most common types of aviation snips are straight cut, left cut and right cut, each designed to cut metal in a specific direction.
Aviation snips are also commonly used to cut metal roofing, ductwork, automotive body panels, and metal siding. While these snips are not ideal for cutting hard metals like stainless steel, they do an excellent job cutting aluminum and other softer metals.
Can aviation snips cut metal?
Yes, aviation snips can be used for cutting and shaping various metals, including steel and other metals like aluminum, copper and brass. The sharp and curved blades of aviation snips are designed to cut through the tough material and provide a clean, smooth cut.
The majority of aviation snips have a pencil-like shape, with one or two handles at the middle of the snip and the blades situated at the end. The handles provide extra grip and control over the snip allowing you to make precision cuts.
Aviation snips also come in a wide variety of sizes, so you can choose the most suitable aviation snip to match the type of metal you are cutting. Before using aviation snips, be sure to select the right size blades for the material, as the wrong sized blades can cause difficulty while cutting and risk damaging the blade.
What are aviation snips good for?
Aviation snips, sometimes referred to as tin snips or sheet metal snips, are hand tools designed to be used for cutting sheet metal, plastic, and other lightweight materials. They usually come in three different styles: straight-cut snips, left-cut snips, and right-cut snips, and they are particularly useful when making tight turns in corners.
Aviation snips are generally more powerful and durable than scissors and provide more precise, accurate cuts. In addition, the blades of aviation snips can be reversed for extended use.
Aviation snips can be used for a variety of applications, such as in HVAC work and automotive operations. They can also be used for trimming and cutting of electronic components and for fabrication of ductwork.
In addition, aviation snips are well-suited for cutting pieces from aluminum, steel, and other metals. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on the job at hand.
Overall, aviation snips are excellent tools for the precise cutting of lightweight materials, particularly sheet metal. A variety of sizes, shapes, and styles are available to accommodate different jobs, and they are much more efficient than scissors in cutting tight angles and curves.
What’s the difference between aviation snips and tin snips?
Aviation snips and tin snips both refer to type of scissor-like cutting tool used for cutting sheet metal. However, there are some key differences when it comes to the type of metal being cut and the mechanism used to cut it.
Aviation snips are used for cutting soft metals like aluminum, copper, brass, and vinyl. These snips have convex curved blade edges that can easily cut through soft metal circles, curves, and squares.
They also have a serrated edge on the back of the blade that helps grip the material being cut. In addition, the handles on aviation snips are typically red and yellow to indicate their use on a certain type of material.
Tin snips on the other hand, are used to cut harder metals such as steel and stainless steel. The blades are concave in shape to give more cutting leverage and are usually equipped with a spring-loaded handle for long-term use.
Compared to aviation snips, tin snips also have sharper blades and longer handles for additional leverage when cutting hard metals.
Are tin snips the same as aviation snips?
No, tin snips and aviation snips are not the same. Tin snips are also known as sheet metal snips and are intended for cutting metal sheeting, whereas aviation snips are intended for cutting metal rod, rivets, and screws.
Tin snips typically have long handles and short blades and are designed to be used by gripping the handles and compressing the blades together to cut through metal sheeting. Aviation snips have shorter handles and longer blades, and are designed in a number of styles – straight, left, and right – to allow for cutting in a variety of angles and directions.
Aviation snips are used by pinching the blades together to cut through rods, rivets, and screws.
What can I use to cut through hard plastic?
You can use a variety of tools to cut through hard plastic, including a jigsaw, a rotary tool, an angle grinder, a hacksaw, a utility knife, and a heat gun. A jigsaw is effective for making straight or curved cuts, and is the most commonly used tool for hard plastic.
A rotary tool can be used to make circular or contoured cuts and its adjustable speed makes it convenient for delicate cuts. An angle grinder can be used to make long, straight cuts, however it should be used with caution as it can cause a lot of vibration and heat.
A hacksaw is good for making straight cuts and is easy to use, however it is very slow. A utility knife is also useful for cutting hard plastic and makes accurate, relatively straight cuts. Lastly, a heat gun is great for cutting through thick plastics and it is capable of making intricate cuts and designs.
What are the three different types of aviation snips?
The three main types of aviation snips are straight, curved, and offset.
Straight aviation snips are the most common type. They have a straight blade, which makes it easier to cut straight lines or straight curves. It’s great for general-purpose cutting of sheet metal and other light materials.
Curved aviation snips have a hooked blade that follows the natural curve of the material you’re cutting. Curved aviation snips are designed to cut tight, curved shapes and circles.
Offset aviation snips have blades that are offset to keep your hands clear of the metal as you cut. This allows you to get into tight spaces and is especially helpful when making cuts on metal ductwork.
Can I cut chicken wire with tin snips?
Yes, you can cut chicken wire with tin snips. This can be done in a few steps. First, you need to make sure that you have the right type of tin snips for the task, such as aviation snips for cutting steel mesh.
Second, make sure to wear safety goggles and a mask to protect yourself from the sharp edges of the wire. Third, use your snips to cut through the wire in a snipping motion, making sure to cut small sections at a time so that your cuts are even.
Finally, remember to take breaks and pay attention to the tension of the wire as you cut, to prevent over-cutting and potential injury.
Why are there left and right tin snips?
The tin snips that have both a left and right hand version have this design because they provide a more efficient cutting action. A standard straight-handled tin snips allows you to cut metal in a straight line, while the left and right-handed combinations offer a slightly different angled cut.
The specifically designed angle of the left and right tin snips offer more efficient cuts, as the angle works better when cutting certain materials and shapes. For example, the curved left tin snip works better at cutting into hooks and circles.
The right-handed tool can also make a sharper cut at the end of the material, such as when cutting the edges of intricate shapes. In summary, the left and right tin snips provide an advantage in terms of efficiency and for cutting curved or intricate shapes.
What is a metal cutter called?
A metal cutter is generally referred to as a metal-cutting saw. This can be either a handheld or a machine operated power tool that cuts the metal either by hand or by machine. These cutting saws typically use either a high speed steel or a carbide-tipped cutting blade that is specially designed to cut through most ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Common types of cutting that these saws can do include cutting pipes, dowels, tubing, and flat sheets of metal. In addition to these general cutting tasks, these saws can also be used for cutting hard materials like concrete or bricks and stones, and specialized types of cutting such as weld removal and burring/deburring metal components.
