Aviation Snips

[zippy500]

looking to get a pair of Aviation Snips but didnt realise that there are 3 different types.

Right/left and centre cut.

What is the difference, is it the offset of the blade?

 

[Windy Miller]

One for cutting left curves, one for cutting right curves, and the other for cutting straight things!

In other words the waste material feeds off to the one side or the other depending which snips you are using. I can't remember which side the waste goes in the straight ones, and I CBA to go and check in the garage!

 

[Hitch]

I tend to use the Right and straight ones from my sets most.

 

[Windy Miller]

I tend to use the Right and straight ones from my sets most.

I mainly use the left and right, and hardly ever the straight ones. Thinking about it, they're probably the sharpest ones in the set now!

 

[brightspark]

center cut the metal peels up to the left and down to the right ,all 3 have there uses especialy on sheet metal

 

[mike 109444]

Worth getting a pair of gilbo's as well (think thats how it's spelt)

 

[brightspark]

Worth getting a pair of gilbo's as well (think thats how it's spelt)

yup i have all 3 sets of them as well good for slightly thicker material as they have longer handles and more robust . just they make your fingers hurt after cutting a fair sheet of material

 

[zippy500]

.............so really then its a good idea to buy a set of 3 instead of individual ones...

 

[brightspark]

.............so really then its a good idea to buy a set of 3 instead of individual ones...

yes there cheap enough

 

[pedrobedro]

I only have a pair of left curve ones and get by quite nicely, they cut straight as well. They are the offset type, a bit dearer but a lot easier to use as your hand is above the material.

 

[hotrodder]

Personally i don't bother with the straight cut flavour, as said left and rights will do straight cuts. Obviously if you're using them all the time on a daily basis it makes a bigger difference than for occasional use but i would avoid the cheap 'tenner for 3' sets like the plague. Decent quality snips are a league apart, of what's easily available my current favorites are 'Midwest'. Used to be 'Prosnip' but they ain't the same since they became an Irwin brand

 

[mm289]

Thanks for the MidWest recommendation - any others people have found good?

I am looking for a set but refuse to buy the Machine Mart/Sealey typical red/Yellow/Green handled ones as my expectation is they will fall apart after a short while....

or am i being overly sceptical

MM

 

[brightspark]

Thanks for the MidWest recommendation - any others people have found good?

I am looking for a set but refuse to buy the Machine Mart/Sealey typical red/Yellow/Green handled ones as my expectation is they will fall apart after a short while....

or am i being overly sceptical

MM

there ok for light duty and limited space gilbow are the best but cumbersome

 

[graffian]

I don't get on with Gilbows at all, maybe mine were shagged when I bought them.
Had Wiss and Pro-snips, the Wiss lasted me until about 1990, don't ask when I bought them.
Then I bought pro-snips. The green ones are well and truly donald ducked so I must have used them most of the time. The yellow ones are in a pretty similar way, yet I can't remember using them. The red ones are still going strong.
Get offset snips.

 

[ian f]

i used wiss but the blade snapped right at the end on two different pairs and the handles worn through on the undersides. so bought left and right midwest offset and love em they refuse to wear out with the use i give em

 

[hotrodder]

Wiss have been cast for a few years now apparently while they used to be forged. I can't remember when Prosnip were Irwinised but the real ones had Prosnip® Corporation Beatrice written on the inside of handles and a wire sprung locking catch

 

[Tupers]

I use Proto left cut offset aviation snips. I've never seen the need for straight ones and find that if I start in the right place the right cut doesn't matter.

 

[brightspark]

I use Proto left cut offset aviation snips. I've never seen the need for straight ones and find that if I start in the right place the right cut doesn't matter.

it all depends on what side the metal u can start from as to wether using righ hand or left hand .on plain loose sheet its not a problem but it becomes one if your limited to which side u can cut from in confined spaces

 

[langy]

Thanks for the MidWest recommendation - any others people have found good?

I am looking for a set but refuse to buy the Machine Mart/Sealey typical red/Yellow/Green handled ones as my expectation is they will fall apart after a short while....

or am i being overly sceptical

MM

I've got a set of Gilbow snips, must be at least 30 years old, still sharp and brilliant tools