What Are Snips Used For? A Beginner's Guide

What snips look like

Snips look like a heavy-duty pair of scissors with a stubby, thick pair of jaws. The blades are short compared with the handles, which gives you leverage for cutting metal. Most models you will see are around 10 inches long. Among the models on our comparison page that list a length, the sizes run from 9.75 to about 10.25 inches.

Most handles are coated in rubber or plastic for grip, and many are color coded. A spring between the handles opens the jaws after each cut, and a small latch near the pivot locks them shut for storage. The cutting edges are often serrated, which means they have tiny teeth that grip the sheet so it does not slide as you cut.

You may hear several names for the same tool: snips, tin snips, aviation snips and metal shears. Tin snips are the older, simpler design. Aviation snips are the compound-action type that most hardware stores sell today, and they are what most beginners should look at first.

What snips are used for

Snips cut thin metal and a few other thin, soft materials. Their job is to make clean cuts in sheet stock, not to cut rods, bolts or thick plate. Here are the most common uses:

• Cutting sheet metal for patches, brackets and custom parts
• Trimming aluminum or steel flashing around roofs, vents and chimneys
• Repairing or shortening gutters and downspouts
• Cutting HVAC duct and fitting it to size
• Trimming vinyl siding and similar thin material
• Cutting metal shapes for crafts and DIY projects

Straight, left and right cuts

The first thing to learn is cut direction. A straight snip cuts long lines and gentle curves. Left snips are built to turn tighter curves to the left, and right snips turn tighter curves to the right. The curve direction matters because the blade design pushes the cut-off scrap away to one side, so the main sheet stays flat instead of bending.

Many sets use the same handle colors, which makes it easy to grab the right tool. Check the packaging, because a few makers use different colors. A three-piece set, such as the one ranked first on our best snips page, includes all three directions.

A single snip is lighter to carry, but it limits you to one direction. Some single snips handle straight cuts plus wide curves in both directions. That works for simple trimming, but tight curves still call for a dedicated left or right snip.

What snips can and cannot cut

Snips are made for thin, soft sheet. The limit is shown as a gauge number, and gauge runs backward: a lower number means thicker metal. A snip rated to 16 gauge mild steel can handle thicker sheet than one rated to 20 gauge. In the product data we compare, the ratings for mild steel run from 16 gauge on one single snip to 20 gauge on the top-ranked set.

Stainless steel is harder, so its rating is thinner. Several of the sets we compare list 22 gauge for stainless. Treat the number as a hard limit. Pushing past it can nick or spring the blades and leave a ragged cut.

Some materials do not belong in snips at all. One maker advises keeping them away from hardened steel, rods and wire mesh, and says the blades are not meant for cardboard, fabric or fiberglass. Always read the maker's notes for your specific model, since listings differ on what they allow.

Safety basics

Cut sheet metal has razor-sharp edges, and the offcuts can be just as sharp. A few habits will help you avoid injuries:

• Wear cut-resistant work gloves when handling or cutting sheet metal.
• Wear safety glasses, because small slivers and fragments can fly off.
• Support the sheet so it does not flop around while you cut, and keep your free hand clear of the blade path.
• Do not cut live wires or anything connected to power. Snips are not insulated unless the maker says so, so turn off the power and unplug anything first.
• If you are cutting on a roof or ladder, take extra care with footing, and secure the sheet so it cannot catch the wind.
• Latch the jaws shut after use so the blades and your hands are protected in a tool bag.

How to choose your first pair

Start with the work you plan to do. If you only trim straight lengths of flashing, a straight snip may be enough. If you cut gutters, duct or shaped parts, a left, right and straight set will save you from forcing a cut the wrong way.

Next, check the gauge rating against your material. A thin-gauge snip is fine for light flashing, but thicker sheet needs a lower gauge number. Then look at blade steel, serrations and a safety latch. Chrome vanadium and molybdenum alloy are common blade steels, and a rust-resistant finish helps if the tools live in a damp garage or truck.

Finally, think about weight. Listed weights on our comparison page run from 0.75 lb to 2.8 lb among the models that list weight, and that difference is noticeable over a long cut. To see cut direction, capacity, size and weight on one sheet, open our best snips comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Are snips the same as scissors?

No. Snips have thicker, shorter blades and a compound lever for cutting metal. Scissors are meant for paper and fabric, and they will dull or break on sheet metal.

Do I need all three snips?

Not always. If you mostly cut straight lines, one straight snip may be enough. A full set helps when you cut curves, since each direction keeps the sheet from bending.

Why are snips color coded?

The colors help you spot the cut direction quickly. Yellow usually means straight, red means left and green means right. Check the maker's notes, since not every brand follows the same colors.

Can snips cut vinyl siding?

Many can. One set on our page lists vinyl siding among its uses. Check the specific listing, and use the metal snips only on materials the maker allows.

How do I keep snips in good shape?

Keep them dry, wipe off debris after use, and latch them shut for storage. Avoid cutting above the gauge rating, since that is what most often damages the blades.