Using Snips to Cut Sheet Metal

Snips or shears are common hand tools used to cut the webs or sheet metal with ease

. Snips are much like a scissor. They have a plain handle to provide you firm grip while cutting the sheet metal. Most of the snips have a handle like pliers; they are used to cut the thick metal. Others may have the handle like scissor, i.e. bow handles.

To avoid the tummy nipping, the stops on snips are usually placed behind the blades instead of ends of the handles. Snips come in different varieties as some are spring loaded and other have double jointed, high leverage handles. However, whatever the designs of the snips are, all are made to trim or cut the small pieces of sheet metal. Snips are usually not used for large metal pieces.

Types of Snip Blades

Three main types of blades are common in snips:-

- Straight Blades: These are quite thin and deep. These blades are useful in cutting sheet metal in straight lines or even trimming round the outside of the sheet.

- Curved Blades: These blades are used to cut the inside curves. Like straight blades, curved blades are also thin and deep.

- Universal Blades: These blades are multipurpose. These are designed in such a way that they are straight but not that deep like other blades. These blades can be used to cut straight sheets, inside and outside curves as well.

Size of Snips

Snips available in the marker varies in sizes. Mostly snips are 150mm to 350mm in length. This variable length of the snips provides the variable leverage, depending on the length of the snips. Snips having larger length are commonly used for large sheet metals. A snip with 250mm of length having universal blade and straight handle is enough for the common usage.

The handle of the snip is also of great importance. Some snips have handle in line with blades while others have a cranked handle (out of line). Snips with cranked handle and universal blade are used to cut the inside curves in large sheet metal. But this will only cut in on direction, i.e. right handed snips should be used counter clock wise and left handed snips should be used clock wise.

Points to Remember

- For better leverage, cut the sheet metal as near to the pivot as possible. This will also keep the blades from forcing apart.

- To prevent frequent nicks on the edge of the sheet, avoid closing the snip's blades completely.

- Use file to smooth the jagged edges on the sheet.

- Keep the pivot of the snips properly lubricated. Loose rivets can be tightened by tapping it with a hammer.

Using Snips to Cut Sheet Metal

By: Tauqeer Ul Hassan

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