What are some safety tips to know when using snips?
Snips are made in various shapes and sizes for various tasks. The handle can be like those on scissors with finger and thumb holes or like plier handles. Models are available for cutting in straight lines, in curves to the left or in curves to the right. DO Left cut snips are for making cuts to the left and straight cuts. Right cut snips are for making straight cuts and cuts to the right. Straight cut snips (not shown) are for making straight cuts and shallow cuts to the right or left. Offset snips allow you to keep your hands safely above the cut while cutting directly through the centre of a large sheet.
- requirement Universal snips can cut in both straight and wide curves.
- requirement Straight snips and duckbill snips (flat blade, "perpendicular" to the handle, with pointed tips) are designed to cut in straight lines; some duckbill snips are designed for cutting curved lines.
- requirement Hawk's bill snips (with crescent-shaped jaws) are used for cutting tight circles.
- requirement Aviation snips have compound leverage that reduces the effort required for cutting.
- requirement Offset snips have jaws that are set at an angle from the handle.
- requirement Select the right size and type of snips for the job; check the manufacturer's specifications about the intended use of the snips (e.g., type of cut – straight, wide curve, tight curve, right or left, and maximum thickness and kind of metal or other material that can be cut).
- requirement Only use snips that are sharp and in good condition.
- ppe Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles) and protective gloves when working with snips. Small pieces of metal may go flying in the air and the cut edges of metal are sharp.
- requirement Use snips for cutting soft metal only. Hard or hardened metal should be cut with cutting tools designed for that purpose.
- requirement Use ordinary hand pressure for cutting. If extra force is needed, use a larger tool.
- requirement Cut so that the waste is on the right if you are right-handed or on the left if you are left-handed.
- requirement Avoid springing the blades. This results from trying to cut metal that is too thick or heavy for the snips you are using.
- requirement Keep the nut and the pivot bolt properly adjusted at all times.
- requirement Oil the pivot bolt on the snips occasionally.
- requirement Use the locking clip (if available) to keep the snips closed when not in use.