Fixnair
Well-known member
Boy! Did I learn something today. No wonder my tin snips just leave me frustrated and I have to resort more difficult measures. Go here:
Sheet metal cutting
- Thread starter Fixnair
- Start date
racingtadpole
Well-known member
Excellent video, thanks for sharing.
Fordman7795
Well-known member
Any cliff notes?
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Thanks for sharing. It was certainly worth 18 minutes of my time to watch the whole thing. Learn something new everyday.
RivennHewn
Well-known member
Learn something new every day!
Big-Foot
Well-known member
I've been using aviation shears for close to fifty years and in just a few minutes I discovered I'd been doing it wrong... This was a very worthwhile video and I have subscribed to his page as well..
Thanks!
Thanks!
the gypsy
Well-known member
Very interesting how technique can make a difference in the final results.
sgs236
Well-known member
Thanks for posting that. I learned quite a lot from it.
thebeekeeper1
Well-known member
Boy, that was GREAT! Every problem I've ever had with snips was addressed and makes perfect sense when explained in that manner. I'm thinking this here internet thing may just catch on and become useful! :wow:
Excellent tutorial right there. Snips 101. I worked as a sheet metal mechanic for a time and learned from a master. Have certainly served my time with snips & throatless shear.
Great how he showed the true nature and use of the respective snips. Like using the straight only for short notching for instance. And how to properly cut. Also, I cannot remember how many times I have seen guys ruin a brand new pair of snips by springing the jaws from poor technique - as shown at the 9-minute mark in the video. Notice he used the "Harbor Freight pieces of junk" to demonstrate that instead of his good Wiss?
Great how he showed the true nature and use of the respective snips. Like using the straight only for short notching for instance. And how to properly cut. Also, I cannot remember how many times I have seen guys ruin a brand new pair of snips by springing the jaws from poor technique - as shown at the 9-minute mark in the video. Notice he used the "Harbor Freight pieces of junk" to demonstrate that instead of his good Wiss?
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jakemac
Well-known member
The video in the OP's link has disappeared. It's a shame that it couldn't have been saved.
They posted a mobile link. I had trouble too. Just remove the "m." in the address.
Or, click below
Using Tin Snips
jakemac
Well-known member
Thanx GRX !
That will help those who wander into this post later.
That will help those who wander into this post later.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Outlaw rates that video
Well worth 18 min to anyone!
Well worth 18 min to anyone!
PCO6
Well-known member
I've seen that guy's videos before. He does a great job. Not to take this thread side ways but here's a tour of his shop ...
Related update: Sale this weekend at Ace Hardware!
Wiss aviation snips, L, R, or center, $9.99, made in USA. Normally $15ish.
I picked up a left-hander, and three Bosch bits for buzzycutty tools, those are also knocked downto $9.99.
Wiss aviation snips, L, R, or center, $9.99, made in USA. Normally $15ish.
I picked up a left-hander, and three Bosch bits for buzzycutty tools, those are also knocked downto $9.99.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Std only, or are the rt angle (Vertical) cutters also on sale?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Dang
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I've got the same problem as him with horizontal surfaces. Fortunately for me, I have way fewer of them. I can clean off my bench completely, and magically it's completely covered almost right away!
That design with the changeable post mounts - pure genius!
PCO6
Well-known member
MikeF2316 - Ha ha ... I know the problem. I have it too. You gotta keep things moving! I like his post idea too! Smart and simple.
KPSquared
Well-known member
That was a great video. I just did my first sheet metal work ever this week when I put the trim up around my garage doors. I learned a ton from a friend who does it for a living. I have some old wiss snips that are pretty beat up from someone thinking they were a wire cutter, so I bought some new ones.
Here's a couple pics. . . I was pretty happy with the result. Cutting colored metal that cost a lot of money was a little un-nerving. There's a lot of cut's and folds under that corner. Ignore the pencil lines. . . it was my practice piece. . .
Here's a couple pics. . . I was pretty happy with the result. Cutting colored metal that cost a lot of money was a little un-nerving. There's a lot of cut's and folds under that corner. Ignore the pencil lines. . . it was my practice piece. . .
crazy5
Well-known member
Finally watched the video, and then found a deal on the three pack of Wiss snips at Lowe's for $15. Here's my thread in the deals section: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226101
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Jagmandave
Well-known member
I've been using aviation shears for close to fifty years and in just a few minutes I discovered I'd been doing it wrong... This was a very worthwhile video and I have subscribed to his page as well..
Thanks!
Ditto!
Duker
Well-known member
That was a nice quick education on snips! Glad this thread resurfaced.
you come to my workshop......
you use my Wiss aviation snips, they are my loaners.
I used to use them for fish mouthing round tubing....it destroys them, cost of doing the job
aviation snips leave teeth marks and have a waste material side, real snips don't leave teeth marks or have a waste side
find a set of Wiss #7 snips for your basic straight cuts, you should get a pair for $10 on Ebay
then buy some 'duck bills' they turn RIGHT OR LEFT, same pair, no waste side either $10-$15 on Ebay
get the ones that are 12 3/4"- 13" long
Wiss ( I think it's #17)
Crescent (#412?)
Diamalloy
Blue Birds #212
even old Craftsman
ect.....
they will all do the job better than any pair of aviation snips
trust me you'll thank me
then you go looking for some custom made 'Pete' Petermans
will cut perfectly straight diagonally across a full sheet or turn left in the middle on a 1/8" radius they're from the '30s
Pete charged $3 for a pair outright, $1.50 if you brought him a pair of 'duck bills'
you see a pair or 2 on Ebay every couple of years they are always over $600.....you might find an idiot that looks at the part number and thinks they are a pair of Blue Bird #212s like mine were made from
my Father and my Uncle started out making airplane seats and gas tanks in '27
I'm lucky I have my Father's and Uncle's snips
my Uncle's are Lempkes from Berlin..... they turn pretty well but not like my Father's with tool steel blades....I sent a pair to the master fabricator of the MV Agusta Motorcycle Forum, Lee Halverson....
4-5 days later the phone, rings it's Lee "where the Hell did you find these, they are God's gift to tin men"
"Lee, those are their version of duck bills, you should use the trick ones....."
"you have a pair?"
"of course, they were my Father's......I send you the cheap ones
"
"thanks Pal"
"you welcome, you old fart"
you use my Wiss aviation snips, they are my loaners.
I used to use them for fish mouthing round tubing....it destroys them, cost of doing the job
aviation snips leave teeth marks and have a waste material side, real snips don't leave teeth marks or have a waste side
find a set of Wiss #7 snips for your basic straight cuts, you should get a pair for $10 on Ebay
then buy some 'duck bills' they turn RIGHT OR LEFT, same pair, no waste side either $10-$15 on Ebay
get the ones that are 12 3/4"- 13" long
Wiss ( I think it's #17)
Crescent (#412?)
Diamalloy
Blue Birds #212
even old Craftsman
ect.....
they will all do the job better than any pair of aviation snips
trust me you'll thank me
then you go looking for some custom made 'Pete' Petermans
will cut perfectly straight diagonally across a full sheet or turn left in the middle on a 1/8" radius
they're from the '30sPete charged $3 for a pair outright, $1.50 if you brought him a pair of 'duck bills'
you see a pair or 2 on Ebay every couple of years they are always over $600.....you might find an idiot that looks at the part number and thinks they are a pair of Blue Bird #212s like mine were made from
my Father and my Uncle started out making airplane seats and gas tanks in '27
I'm lucky I have my Father's and Uncle's snips
my Uncle's are Lempkes from Berlin..... they turn pretty well but not like my Father's with tool steel blades....I sent a pair to the master fabricator of the MV Agusta Motorcycle Forum, Lee Halverson....
4-5 days later the phone, rings it's Lee "where the Hell did you find these, they are God's gift to tin men"
"Lee, those are their version of duck bills, you should use the trick ones....."
"you have a pair?"
"of course, they were my Father's......I send you the cheap ones
""thanks Pal"
"you welcome, you old fart"
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Russel Matt
New member
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
- Messages
- 1
Learnt a lot today. Really a great video and definitely helped me a lot. Watched more videos on snips and that added a lot. Most of the sheet metal fabrication companies are now more productive with the use of machines and related software but the workers are losing the talent and not getting the chance to build their knowledge. Forums like this are really helping a lot to build ourselves as a professional.
oldgoaly
Well-known member
That is Bill Gibson, he just retire from the US Forestry Service in Washington DC area. He restored and maintained many metal structures and artifacts. A real great guy! met him back in 2005 or 6 and have stayed in touch since.
kapster
Well-known member
I just saw that video last night and wow is all i can say. No wonder i hated using them.
Wish he would have said in the video but whats the preferred style, the standard like he's using or the offset that gets your hand up higher?
Wish he would have said in the video but whats the preferred style, the standard like he's using or the offset that gets your hand up higher?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Depends on what you are doing. When you have to cut in the middle of a sheet, then often the uprights, If working on the flat and the edges, then the regulars.
You need both!
You need both!
kapster
Well-known member
What gives the flats an advantage on the flats and edges over the offsets?
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I think I answered that in the other thread. The offsets are great when the grips are in the way, or there is an obstruction, but they are harder to get precise control.
The Ratchet Man
Well-known member
That was an excellent video!
Unfortunately it showed me that I know nothing about tin snips, that I have been doing it wrong since I was born and that all my snips are trashed.
I still remember the first time my dad let me use a pair of his snips and he told me I was doing it wrong. Apparently he was too. He's gonna be watching a video this evening.
Unfortunately it showed me that I know nothing about tin snips, that I have been doing it wrong since I was born and that all my snips are trashed.
I still remember the first time my dad let me use a pair of his snips and he told me I was doing it wrong. Apparently he was too. He's gonna be watching a video this evening.