how to adjust snips

[BFHtime]

The last link you posted, was what I meant by big scissors, or big shears. They look like bid scissors to me. I have always called all types tin snips.

Good luck.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

ahh Bill, if I had someone around who could do this for me - don't you think I would bother them instead of posting on a website? I asked my cats, but they defiantly snubbed the idea. I guess I could ask the mailman, I doubt he'd have an interest. ha ha

Re-read everything, I have said several times why power tools are not an option. I am in a apt don't have a workshop. Not a whole lot of room to work and far too many things to catch fire...

The snips will work, I just got the wrong ones. After doing more digging on the internet I needed to get TINNER snips. Not the aviation ones I got... They should cut 20 gauge which is what the case is.

I need to cut maybe 1/2 inch rectangle out of the case because I am building a WORKING 286 for a client by putting modern parts in an original 286 case. He wants all the looks, sounds, and feel of the original case - he doesn't care what I have to put in it as long as it runs all the games of his childhood. Which it will. I am putting fairly modern parts in it because 25 year old parts are hard to find that are still working :0 Think 1992 technology...

Well it's been a long road - but I resolves all the other tech problems with doing all this EXCEPT needing to cut a chunk out of the back of the case so the power cord will fit in the case. Right now 1/2 the spot where the power cord needs to go is covered with case. Cause modern parts don't quite line up with the parts of 1992. This case was really designed for 1992 parts... Its a miracle I am getting this computer working at all :0

Which is why I need to cut into the case. We'll see tomorrow if the tinner snips do it - I am hoping they will. Looks like it from what I have read online... :0

I also want to do this myself cause he's already asked me, when I am finished with this can I build a couple more for friends of his so they can play the same games... Wow is all I can say - but what a paying client wants, I try hard to make happen...

 

[EdT]

I think you have the wrong tool for what you are trying to do. Plus, to cut that thickness with hand shears you need a very strong grip. I think you might be better off if you can find one of these.

He seems to be doing just exactly what you are trying to do.

 

[lbgradwell]

You need a knockout punch. Try Greenlee...

 

[BFHtime]

I think you have the wrong tool for what you are trying to do. Plus, to cut that thickness with hand shears you need a very strong grip. I think you might be better off if you can find one of these.

He seems to be doing just exactly what you are trying to do.

This. This is what you want.

 

[BFHtime]

This. This is what you want.

I am bumping this twice, because this is perfect.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

hmmm i DO like the tool. like a hole punch for metal. could come in handy but so could the proper tin snips... we'll see- i am searching to see who carries them cause i would want to go tomorrow to buy one... thanks for the tip :0

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

ah ha!!!! the electronics store around the corner carries nibblers for $10 each -- all electronics, I just learned of their existance a week or two ago... they are handy.

so - i go to osh - exchange the snips for TINNER SNIPS which are the ones i shoulda gotten in the first place...

then swing by all electronics (really about 1-2 miles from where i live) and get a nibbler. i don't mind having both. i do all kinds of odd jobs and like to have tools. i use them more often than you'd think...

thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[spike99250]

The Tinner snips are not going to work either. They are meant for thinner metal and are going to be too big to get in there.
The osh website did not show them, but you want a pair of Bulldog snips, wiss as well as other brands make them. They are made just for situations like yours, heavier metal and a small space to get into. You will be taking small bites with the Bulldog snips.
I don't know about the nibblers.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

really? tinner snips won't work? but it says they are good for up to 20 guage - which is what I am thinking this sheet metal is.

hmmm... bulldog snips. will check it out and see who makes them.

i will be taking the case with me - it's just the empty, bottom part. i will try the tinner snips in the parking lot, if they don't work i go back to osh AGAIN and return them... lol

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

just to make sure i understand how the guages go...

the bigger the number, the thinner the sheet metal - right? so a 23 is thinner than 20?

so... a snips that says it cuts up to a 23 won't cut a 20, right? it cuts all the number higher than 23, not lower?

just making sure i got that right in my head...

thanks

 

[EdT]

Here is some info on steel thickness.http://www.mesteel.com/cgi-bin/w3-msql/goto.htm?url=/info/carbon/thickness.htm Ignore the BWG stuff. Get the tinner's snips if you must, but I think, despite the "rating", you will probably find them even less useful for what you are trying to do than the snips you already have. Also, in one of your pictures it looks like there are two layers of metal that need to be cut. This will be a problem for anything you are looking at. Next stop will be a jeweler's saw which would probably work, but get lots of blades if you've never used one.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

no double layer.

it's all one layer, although at the corners it is folded up - but it's never two layers anywhere..

guess i will find out tomorrow as i plunge ahead with tin snips and nibbler. hopefully one or both will work - otherwise, get your "i told you sos" ready.. lol

if you could tho answer my question - a snip that says it cuts up to 20 gauge, cuts gauges 1-20 or 20-30? just need to know what direction the numbers go. that's the part that's confusing me. the numbers on the rating. thanks...

 

[PBCampbell]

The lower the number the thicker the metal (or wire). 18 gauge is thicker than 20 and 20 gauge is thicker than 22.

One other option that hasn't been mentioned is that Dremel has an attachment that turns the rotary tool into a reciprocating saw and uses common T-shank jigsaw blades.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=MS400#.VBOZCPldXws

Of course it appears to have been discontinued.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's going to be pretty hard to cut. The wider you open it to cut with the back part of the jaw, the less leverage you're going to have. You're just going to have to nip at it little by little using the tips.

100% completely bas akwards. The closer to the hinge point of the jaws the more leverage you will have.

I think mostly your problem is not so much the snips, but with all due respect, the strength you have in your hands to use them.

I'm not weak in my grip, but guys that cut tin for a living can make it look like they are cutting paper. I cannot. that said I can still cut with snips far easier than my 26 YO son, who is taller/bigger than I am by 4 inches.

The bull nose may help. Those will have red handles and shorter jaws.


Where are you located? and can you get someone stronger to do the squeezing?

 

[Outlawmws]

thanks. i know how to USE them.

you know, you guys don't make it easy on a gal.

i am asking a straight forward question - i don't need instructions on how to use the ****** things!

I need info on which ones to get if these are the wrong ones.

Thanks.

With all due respect, that vid is the best 18 minutes almost anyone, including more than a few professional tin knockers could spend on the proper use of snips. Snips are NOT scissors (and many can't even use those right...)

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

ya i hear you - i know as a girl i am not as strong as a guy. i am not weak like some girls, being a tech in most of my corporate jobs you have to be able to lug around printers - so i am usually good with up to 80 lbs of dead weight...

and with the snips i bought i CAN cut the practice sheet metal board I have... it was just the computer case I couldn't... which is why I thought it was the snips, not me. cause the practice board i cut through very easy... and it's a little THICKER than the case. but maybe not the same metal type... I'll admit that is also a little out of my expertise - carbon steel? other alloys? aluminum? to me it's all pretty colored silver metal... I have NO idea what type... and I have often wondered how to tell. I mean other than mind melding with the board - a skill I have never mastered lol

 

[Outlawmws]

really? tinner snips won't work? but it says they are good for up to 20 guage - which is what I am thinking this sheet metal is.

hmmm... bulldog snips. will check it out and see who makes them.

i will be taking the case with me - it's just the empty, bottom part. i will try the tinner snips in the parking lot, if they don't work i go back to osh AGAIN and return them... lol

They really won't, as the jaws are too big ti get in and get the deep bite you need. yeah they will cut that gauge, all the way back in the jaw, and only about 1/2 way to the tips, depending on how strong you are.

Nibblers are a maybe depending on their rating. Also depending on if the case was punched out of hardened sheet. often done to reduce weight and gain stiffness.

Again a general location might get you some GJ help. I'd be willing if you are close enough, and I KNOW I have snips that will do the job. (100 pairs and counting..)

 

[Outlawmws]

Steel to aluminum (Or other non-ferris metals like brass/copper) is easy to tell: If a magnet sticks, it is steel (except some Stainless steels...)

 

[bczygan]

No matter what you use, you will need a file to dress up the edges and clean up the cuts and or nibbles.

Put it on your list. And get a file handle too.

 

[srmofo]

ok again - power tools aren't going to do it.

first, i don't have a shop. i have a 1 bedroom apartment.. so I don't have a good place to work.

second, i would need to practice to get good at whatever power tool you are suggesting. i am mediocre with a dremel. i am pretty good at cutting big pieces with it, but not small.

third, this case is for a paying client (and the computer parts i will be putting in it and making work) lol... this is kinda outside my field of experience... i am a tech. i make computers work yes... but i don't really customize metal cases. that's not what i have done in the past. can i do it, kinda. this is a special case. i won't be doing this again for a long time if ever...

so... what kind of snips do i need if not the one i bought? thanks.

I wouldn't even really consider a dremel a power tool. Those things can be used at the kitchen table
If you are against buying a dremel, then get a set of knipex mini bolt cutters or failing that a quality hacksaw and blade.

 

[Fretters]

Using any type of snips, you're going to distort the metal, if you can cut it at all, (plus, as mentioned, you'll need a grip like a gorilla). Get a coping saw or a pad saw handle with a hacksaw blade in it on the job, then finish with a file.

 

[gungatim]

ValleyGirl, I used to have a tool that would be perfect for what you are trying to do. Called a hand nibbler. I'll try to find a pic.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000T5FV4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

this is similar to what I had, it has a carbide shearing blade, maybe 3/16" wide and just took a short nibble at a time, so you would get a nice controllable cut, although it is not the fastest, it should do what you need.

 

[404]

To make cutting easer, oil all the pivots in the snips. Also put oil on the cutting edges of the blade. Add oil to the cutting edges as it wears off.

The material being cut is a bit thick, but probably doable. Cut as far into the jaws as possible, much more leverage that way.

Regards,
404

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

OK some of you know what you're talking about, the rest don't. I just got back from home depot a bit ago - bought the bullfrog snips someone on here suggested (thanks for that too btw!) and they worked. in about 5 minutes i did the job I knew I could do with the snips. A clean job too. i did buy a file set too, just needed to use it in a few spots. It's looks great and is done. The whole problem was the snips I got yesterday just weren't powerful enough for the job. I got heavy duty ones now which did the job swiftly and extremely well. It had nothing to do with my lack of strength or even my lack of not knowing how to use them. I knew what I was doing. It had to do with the snips just not being the right ones. Like trying to cut a poster board with kindergarten scissors - it just isn't going to happen until you get the right scissors...

As for the people trying to tell me a dremel isn't a power tool - here's the 411. Anything you need to plug in to the wall IS a power tool. My dremel whirls at 35,000 rpm - if you want to believe it or not that is a powerful tool. if it slips you could cut off fingers, or hurt yourself severely. Just because you have a very lax attitude about such tools is on you - but it doesn't diminish the fact that again a dremel is a power tool. Just because you're a big enough of a **** to use it at the kitchen table instead of a real work area again doesn't change that fact. Anything that causes massive amounts of sparks when you're using it, and is glowing red hot, again is a power tool. and as such you need to take precautions. If you choose not to, well I know lots of people who like to take shortcuts and not follow proper safety guidelines - sometimes that works, many times it doesn't and they have all kinds of consequences.

The job is done - so thanks for everyone's input!

 

[srmofo]

OK some of you know what you're talking about, the rest don't. I just got back from home depot a bit ago - bought the bullfrog snips someone on here suggested (thanks for that too btw!) and they worked. in about 5 minutes i did the job I knew I could do with the snips. A clean job too. i did buy a file set too, just needed to use it in a few spots. It's looks great and is done. The whole problem was the snips I got yesterday just weren't powerful enough for the job. I got heavy duty ones now which did the job swiftly and extremely well. It had nothing to do with my lack of strength or even my lack of not knowing how to use them. I knew what I was doing. It had to do with the snips just not being the right ones. Like trying to cut a poster board with kindergarten scissors - it just isn't going to happen until you get the right scissors...

As for the people trying to tell me a dremel isn't a power tool - here's the 411. Anything you need to plug in to the wall IS a power tool. My dremel whirls at 35,000 rpm - if you want to believe it or not that is a powerful tool. if it slips you could cut off fingers, or hurt yourself severely. Just because you have a very lax attitude about such tools is on you - but it doesn't diminish the fact that again a dremel is a power tool. Just because you're a big enough of a **** to use it at the kitchen table instead of a real work area again doesn't change that fact. Anything that causes massive amounts of sparks when you're using it, and is glowing red hot, again is a power tool. and as such you need to take precautions. If you choose not to, well I know lots of people who like to take shortcuts and not follow proper safety guidelines - sometimes that works, many times it doesn't and they have all kinds of consequences.

The job is done - so thanks for everyone's input!

I dont even own a dremel because they are a joke, meant for little BS hobby jobs like you are doing. See I own many different kinds of tools including snips of various types. Considering you dont know squat about tools or how to use them I would ease up the safety lecture. MASSIVE amounts of sparks,glowing red hot lol. Its a dremel, not a 4.5" grinder. You obviously have never used one.

Let me guess , you think a glue gun gun meant for hobbies is a power tool too

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

Building a working 286 computer for a PAYING CLIENT is not a hobby. It's called IT work. You know computers, smart phones, networks, and the like... It's all stuff I work on. Hobby... NOT!!!!!

Anything that uses electricity and can burn down your house if you don't use it right - is something to use proper safety with... Duh!

and ya, I do know how to use them - I might not use them often - but I got the job done here... and done well... someone who doesn't know jack couldn't do.

and a wonderful attitude you have to. If you have nothing helpful to add, why do you even both posting? and why are you being disrespectful? YOU started it with your rude post... I just called you out on it. I call a spade a spade. If you don't like it, don't post moronic statements. Right. I know. Cause you're unemployed or/and unemployable and have nothing to do all day. That explains a lot...

 

[SantaAna12]

Wiss makes some dam good snips....but you are asking too much of them. Your comment about being able to cut scrap, but not the case, is a good indicator.

Nothing personal: If you are into modding cases....it's time to learn the Dremel.
Youtube is full of things getting cut by Dremels....check the high end Carbide bits cutting sizeable SS... (9935 I think...something like that).
Modding a Comp case: use a Dremel.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

ya the wiss worked well on the thinner gauge test piece of scrap metal I had. Cut through it like butter - SO easy to use.

That's why I was taken back with the absolute failure to cut the case...

No matter - the gauge must have been more than I thought for the case... But then I don't really mod cases, I have... But not very often at all... That's one aspect I usually don't dive into...

but I got the most heavy duty snips there are... looking at EVERY one home depot sells lol... they worked great...

Wiss did make a similar pair (it even said comparable to Bullfrog type on the packaging)... they said to be able to handle up to 16 gauge too - but I opted to go with the other brand (Milwaukee something)... I am sure the Wiss would have worked well too...

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

Nah. I don't do case modding. Not often. I have a dremel 35,000 rpm, black and decker), it works great, I have lots of accessories for it. I just don't have a good place to use it... Far too many sparks, I will catch my apt on fire if I use it here often... Cutting through a rod is about all I can use it for - something quick... Trying to cut the case just became to dangerous in my small apt... that's the simple truth of it. There's a reason why you do these things in a lab or workshop. Or at least should...

 

[gte718p]

OK some of you know what you're talking about, the rest don't. I just got back from home depot a bit ago - bought the bullfrog snips someone on here suggested (thanks for that too btw!) and they worked. in about 5 minutes i did the job I knew I could do with the snips. A clean job too. i did buy a file set too, just needed to use it in a few spots. It's looks great and is done. The whole problem was the snips I got yesterday just weren't powerful enough for the job. I got heavy duty ones now which did the job swiftly and extremely well. It had nothing to do with my lack of strength or even my lack of not knowing how to use them. I knew what I was doing. It had to do with the snips just not being the right ones. Like trying to cut a poster board with kindergarten scissors - it just isn't going to happen until you get the right scissors...

As for the people trying to tell me a dremel isn't a power tool - here's the 411. Anything you need to plug in to the wall IS a power tool. My dremel whirls at 35,000 rpm - if you want to believe it or not that is a powerful tool. if it slips you could cut off fingers, or hurt yourself severely. Just because you have a very lax attitude about such tools is on you - but it doesn't diminish the fact that again a dremel is a power tool. Just because you're a big enough of a **** to use it at the kitchen table instead of a real work area again doesn't change that fact. Anything that causes massive amounts of sparks when you're using it, and is glowing red hot, again is a power tool. and as such you need to take precautions. If you choose not to, well I know lots of people who like to take shortcuts and not follow proper safety guidelines - sometimes that works, many times it doesn't and they have all kinds of consequences.

The job is done - so thanks for everyone's input!

Thanks for playing now take your 24 posts and go home. Its obvious you don't know **** about tools, and don't want to listen to people with a lot of experience.
I've modded and sold quite a few cases. I would venture to say 200 more then you. For the record it is not IT and the dremel is definitely the right tool for the job. I think you should probably stick to software were you belong.
Snips tend to leave sharp edges, be careful you might slice yourself.

And the kitchen table makes a wonderful place to work, just clean up before dinner.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

ya I don't believe you.

does your mommy know you're on the computer by yourself? shouldn't you be taking your meds about now?

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

building a computer from the outside in, IS IT work. If I just was slapping the case together, I would agree.

But... I found a mint 286 case from 1992.

Tested the electronics and they were dead. Parts of the MB were working, but too many capacitors had blown and some of the solider had gone bad so it wasn't worth fixing.

The HD was dead as was the PSU.

I searched for hardware to replace it with from the same era, none working that I could find. Lots dead that I found. Not useful.

So I put in modern parts from a IBM Pentium 2 from not quite so long ago - all parts working. Put in the MB, that I couldn't anchor with screws cause none of the case holes lined up. So I used my drill and drilled a few new holes that did line up with the new board.

Put in the new hard drive, the rail systems weren't the same so I had to modify the existing to anchor the new hard drive.

I used the existing floppy drive.

The power switch was the not the same - client wanted to keep the old flip switch so I had to engineer how to make that work with a modern push button switch. Answer - wired a button to the power supply and re-engineered how the flip switch turned the power supply on and off.

Anchoring the new psu was pretty easy, the hole in the case for the power plug was not the same. this is where I needed to cut a tiny piece out of the existing case so the plug would fit. This is why I posted here for help, where I found some useful help - thanks guys. And a lot of chuckle heads too. You know what category you fall into :0

Resolved the problem by using the proper snips to cut the square I needed to cut out of the case.

Now I am working on the software. I installed windows 3.0 and 5.0 (this is what the client wants) on the computer. I am in the process of loading all the games onto the hard drive too. Once I do this I can put everything in the case. Close it and test it. Then send it to the client.

How is this not IT work? Duh. It is. Wow.

 

[gte718p]

ya I don't believe you.

does your mommy know you're on the computer by yourself? shouldn't you be taking your meds about now?

You are a special one. Why don't you look back through my posts and see what I can do.

Something tells me you were not even born yet when I started messing with computers. I'm not even that old.

 

[garfunkle24]

Wow, you are really obnoxious. For someone so clueless, you might try being a little more humble towards those trying to help. I don't even work in IT and what you're doing sounds so simple I can't believe someone is paying you to do it. I hope you and your attitude are just passing through.

Also, you are more likely to cut off your finger with a kitchen knife and burn you apartment down with your stove than with a dremel.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

well, you don't have to have had fire as the theme to your high school prom to know something about tech stuff lol...

but sure - I respect the old techs... there's a lot to learn from them. they know a lot. and it's a piece of history. something most people don't get...

I personally came up through the ranks working on unix systems... then i remember the different flavors of dos (this is when i was kid)... i have been around computer my whole life - had one of the early atari ones where i first learned to program and have kept going...

was the only girl in electronics in high school - took 4 years of it. so it was a natural progression that I worked on it as a career. sadly it's mostly outsourced these days and I find very few jobs in the field...

worked as a consultant for most of time, to keep my skills sharp. worked on everything from database clean up (after a failed migration or merger)... tech upgrades of whole companies (many of the pharmaceutical companies on the east coast in the 90s). to the more mundane system admin stuff of keeping everything status quo (I hate those jobs cause they're boring mostly). I have also done things like help desk/tech support where I would help people both in person and on the phone. Nowadays you get India or some other third world country for 1/4 of the price... Blah... Done a bunch of other stuff too, but it also runs together after a while so I am not remembering it all right now...

 

[srmofo]

Band why are you being disrespectful? YOU started it with your rude post... I just called you out on it. I call a spade a spade. If you don't like it, don't post moronic statements. Right. I know. Cause you're unemployed or/and unemployable and have nothing to do all day. That explains a lot...

Now youre just making a fool of yourself. In case you missed it, its Saturday most of the working world is off on the weekends. Does making ignorant statements like that make you feel better about yourself?

Perhaps you should go back and reread your post. You were a blantant disrespectful jerk because you didnt like the suggestions you were given. Ive underlined it since you seem to misunderstand the tone of your words. Sorry I dont roll over and tolerate that ******** .

And I dont give a **** what you call it, cutting a computer case is hobby work. Clients,lol...yeah, you mean a friend of a friend, Let me guess you jail break phones too, sorry bud thats hobby work to make a few bucks on the side. Ive built plenty myself and Ive modded a few cases as well. Although in this case I wouldn't really consider cutting a hole much of a modification.

Perhaps we just got off on the wrong foot. Stick around, youll learn a few things, but if you dont get that attitude in check you wont be here long.

OK some of you know what you're talking about, the rest don't.

As for the people trying to tell me a dremel isn't a power tool - here's the 411. Anything you need to plug in to the wall IS a power tool. My dremel whirls at 35,000 rpm - if you want to believe it or not that is a powerful tool. if it slips you could cut off fingers, or hurt yourself severely. Just because you have a very lax attitude about such tools is on you - but it doesn't diminish the fact that again a dremel is a power tool. Just because you're a big enough of a **** to use it at the kitchen table instead of a real work area again doesn't change that fact. Anything that causes massive amounts of sparks when you're using it, and is glowing red hot, again is a power tool. and as such you need to take precautions. If you choose not to, t!

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Glad you finished the project successfully valleygirrl. Look forward to future posts of said projects. That said you really should refer to one of your earlier posts about your attitude. Everyone means to help you, and your words are condescending and unnecessary.

 

[ValleyGirrl1984]

I have NEVER jailbroken a phone. don't need to. don't understand why people would do that. I understand why people would want to UNLOCK their phone (so they can use it on another carrier) but that's something different. If you jailbreak your phone the software never runs right either and you have a new set of problems... I don't work on smartphones or any phones.

I work on computers, networks, and servers.

client = someone who is paying me, who i have never met, that i was referred to by a friend, who called me, lives in NYC and I live in LA. I like to think we're friends, but no, he is a client.

srmofo, what is wrong with you? can't stand to see a chic be technical? feel threatened? probably. that's ok. i have run into people like you before too. you know what happens? you're angry your whole life and are never happy. you may be successful. but never happy.

work on the weekend? if i had a 9-5 job that would be true. but when you work freelance, the hours you choose to set are your own. or didn't you know that? when are you planning to move out of parent's basement finally and get a real job? working for the neighbors by doing yard work doesn't count.

I only become disrespectful when someone hands me a **** sandwich and excepts me to eat it. You said some dumb things. I said so. you got mad cause how dare a woman or anyone criticize you. well it doesn't mean i am wrong. but you're the one who started being nasty off the bat. if you don't want someone to call you out on stupid posts, don't post or don't say stupid things. if you choose to play with power tools at the kitchen table with not a care in the world for safety that's your call. doesn't mean you're right. it means you're lucky. why don't you pick your teeth with a machete... or clean your nails with a flathead screwdriver while you're at it. I mean, if you use anything less, well you're less of a man.

 

[gte718p]

And I dont give a **** what you call it, cutting a computer case is hobby work. Clients,lol...yeah, you mean a friend of a friend, Let me guess you jail break phones too, sorry bud thats hobby work to make a few bucks on the side. Ive built plenty myself and Ive modded a few cases as well. Although in this case I wouldn't really consider cutting a hole much of a modification.

I'm going to disagree with you. I know several people who make a living doing custom cases. Its definitely not IT, more like art with a technological flair.