What do the colors on tin snips mean?

What do the colors on tin snips mean?

Tin snip grips are typically colored red, yellow, or green, and it’s not for cosmetic reasons. Each color signifies a different direction that the snips are made to cut. Red snips cut left. Yellow snips cut straight or left and right. Green snips cut right.

What’s the difference between right and left tin snips?

Straight cutting snips (generally have yellow colored soft grips) cut in a straight line and wide curves; left cutting snips (usually red) will cut straight and in a tight curve to the left; right cutting snips (usually green) will cut straight and in a tight curve to the right.

What’s the difference between red and green snips?

One snips can do it all … Compound snips, also called aviation snips, are color coded. Green snips are designed to cut clockwise curves and red snips to cut counterclockwise curves.

What’s the difference between tin snips and aviation snips?

Standard tin snips work like levers, with one blade pivoting against the other, in much the same way as scissors. Aviation snips have a compound action which gives them a mechanical advantage over standard tin snips. This is due to the double pivot and extra linkage in their design.

Can you sharpen tin snips?

When a tin snip’s blades begin to dull, they will need sharpening. Unfortunately, only ground edged blades should be sharpened, as attempting to sharpen serrated edges will only damage the snips. If you own snips with serrated edges that have become dull then it is recommended that you purchase a new pair.

What can tin snips cut?

Tin Snips. Like a pair of scissors, tin snips are an inexpensive handheld tool that cuts straight, or if the blade is curved, can cut curves and circles. Tin snips are ideal for cutting soft metals like aluminum and copper, and are especially useful for cutting sheet metal, gutters, metal roofing, and studs.

How do you maintain tin snips?

Cleaning. Like other snips and shears, aviation snips should be kept clean and dry as moisture and dirt on metal parts can cause corrosion. Wiping the blade with an oiled cloth after use should help clean them and keep them rust-free.

How thick can tin snips cut steel?

18 gauge steel is commonly the maximum aviation snips are able to cut, this is 1.2mm (0.05 inch) thick. If the snips can cut stainless steel, this will be of a higher gauge number and thinner. Usually, the maximum stainless steel the snips will be able to cut is 24 gauge, which is 0.6mm (0.024 inch).