Besides metal, snips can be used to cut vinyl siding, wire mesh. Pro tip: They make quick work of that annoying plastic clamshell packaging that can be a bear to open. Timothy Dahl.

A good set of tin snips makes cutting sheet metal easy. When it comes to cutting intricate patterns and working with tougher metals, aviation snips are often the best type of tin snips to choose.

Start by inserting the bottom blade of the tin snips into the hole drilled in the center of the sheet metal. Just like cutting with scissors, fully open the blade and squeeze down to cut along the ...

Aviation snips, also known as compound snips, are ideal for cutting aluminum and sheet metal. Their handles are color coded and it's not just for decoration.

Tin snips are good for straight cuts on thin metal and I use them for cutting heavy paper for patterns. See All 18 Photos Not often used, this unusual tool removes a ribbon of metal as it cuts.

Cutting metal on a farm often used to involve either an oxy-acetylene torch, a hacksaw or tin snips. If a shop was “high-tech,” it might have a metal cutting bandsaw or abrasive-disk chop saw.

Malco says its AVsMini snips easily work where full-size aviation snips are challenged. Forged steel jaws produce a long-lasting, sharply defined cutting edge. A ¾-inch cut length and sure-gripping ...

The tin snips are better off staying in your tool box, unless you are cutting out a quickie patch panel to cover up a rust hole in the floor for winter. See All 12 Photos Jig Saw ...