What Are Sheet Metal Snips? Types and Selection Criteria
Sheet metal snips are hand shears that cut thin sheet steel, aluminium and tin plate without removing chips, using the shearing action of two hardened steel jaws.
Sheet metal snips are hand shears that cut thin metal sheet without removing chips, using the shearing action of two hardened steel blades. They are used in jobs such as ventilation ducts, roofing and facade cladding, and auto body repair to cut sheet steel, aluminium and tin plate to size, make corner cuts and cut curves. Hand snips are for thin sheet; on thick sheet and profiles they do not replace a lever bench shear or a guillotine.
Types of sheet metal snips
| Type | Use | Model in the catalogue (İzeltaş) |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium and sheet metal cutting snips | Straight lines and curves in thin sheet and aluminium | 240 mm straight (6207270240), left (6206270240), right (6205270240) |
| Auto body snips | Cutting sheet in auto body repair | 300 mm left (6211270300), right (6210270300) |
| Tinsmith's snips | Straight cuts in tin plate and thin sheet; a spring opens the jaws after each cut | 250 mm spring-loaded (6821270250) |
Straight, right and left cut: The straight type is used on straight lines and wide curves. Left-cut snips turn the curve to the left and right-cut snips to the right. The cutting direction is given in the product name of the İzeltaş models.
Selection criteria
- Cutting line: If you mostly cut straight, choose the straight type or tinsmith's snips; for curved cuts with turns, choose the right or left type by turning direction. Anyone cutting curves in both directions uses right and left snips together.
- Length: Longer snips give more leverage and a longer jaw, making it easier to hold the line on long straight cuts. Shorter snips work comfortably in tight spots and on small-radius curves.
- Material and thickness: The maximum thickness that can be cut depends on the sheet material; stainless steel is harder to cut than mild steel or aluminium of the same thickness. Confirm the capacity in the manufacturer's data.
- Jaws and body: The product data of the İzeltaş models gives the body as special alloy steel and the cutting jaws as induction-hardened. Hardened jaws keep their cutting edge for a long time.
- Handle: A handle described as "PVC insulated" in the product data is for grip and hand comfort; it does not provide electrical insulation. Working on live parts requires tools insulated for 1000 V to IEC 60900.
Common mistakes
- Cutting sheet, wire or bolts beyond the capacity: The jaw gets nicked, the pivot loosens and the snips start bending the sheet instead of cutting it.
- Using sheet metal snips to cut cable: Copper and aluminium conductors are crushed and the cross-section is deformed; use cable cutting tools for cable.
- Closing the jaws fully on every cut: The tip of the jaw leaves small notches on the cut edge. On long cuts, move the snips forward without closing them fully.
- Handling the cut edge without protection: Sheet edges are sharp and burred; wear gloves and safety glasses when cutting.
Sheet metal snips in the Welibaba catalogue
The Sheet and Metal Snips category has 6 active products, all İzeltaş and sold by the piece:
- 3 aluminium and sheet metal cutting snips: 240 mm straight, right and left
- 2 auto body snips: 300 mm right and left
- 1 tinsmith's snips: 250 mm spring-loaded
Other cutting and gripping tools are in the Hand Tools category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between right-cut and left-cut snips?
Left-cut snips cut by turning the curve to the left, right-cut snips by turning it to the right. Both can cut straight; the difference shows on curved cuts. The cutting direction is given in the name of the İzeltaş models.
How thick a sheet can sheet metal snips cut?
The capacity depends on the type and length of the snips and on the sheet material; on stainless steel the same snips cut a smaller thickness. Check the value in the manufacturer's data. Thick sheet and profiles need a bench shear or a guillotine.
What does a spring-loaded tinsmith's snips offer?
The spring opens the jaws by itself after each cut. Because the hand does not have to open the snips every time, fatigue is reduced on long and repetitive cuts.
How are sheet metal snips maintained?
After cutting, clean the jaws and put a drop of light oil on the pivot. If a gap forms between the jaws, the snips bend the sheet instead of cutting it; do not keep using them until the pivot is adjusted or the jaws are serviced.