Aviation Snips

[Perry Owens]

Got some rush orders for metal roses for Valentines Day and need some better snips than the Clarke ones I have. Any recommendations please? Do the offset jaw ones have any advantage over normal configuration? I will be cutting fairly tight curves in 0.55mm stainless steel sheet. Getting well paid for them so don't mind paying for gear that will last.

 

[Wallace]

Wiss.

 

[Spark plug]

Gilbow are top of the tree IMO:

http://www.tooled-up.com/brandsubcat/gilbow/metal-snips-shears/gil1/145/

I usually pick old ones up at boot sales etc.

 

[Appyasme]

Aviation snips are the answer

 

[brightspark]

gilbow left or right hand cutters cutting 2.5mm steel sheet

 

[Wallace]

Doesn't matter what top quality make is chosen, you need to know how to use them properly. Unless you have a handshake like Brightspark all snips are only for trimming.

 

[optima21]

I recently bought some stanley offset snips and they will easily cut through 1.2mm steel which the clarke ones refused to look at. the offset handles make it easier to go across the sheet of metal. the clarke ones were horrendous, so that I was just going to carry on using gilbow snips (like the ones above), but the stanley ones were easier to use. I havnt used the stanley snips in anger yet though

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111553302812

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330993288473

 

[Spark plug]

I recently bought some stanley offset snips and they will easily cut through 1.2mm steel which the clarke ones refused to look at. the offset handles make it easier to go across the sheet of metal. the clarke ones were horrendous, so that I was just going to carry on using gilbow snips (like the ones above), but the stanley ones were easier to use. I havnt used the stanley snips in anger yet though

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111553302812

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330993288473

I find the stanly type ones too bulky and difficult to get ware you want.

 

[hotrodder]

Midwest are my favorite brand these days... they're still forged (Wiss are now cast) and haven't yet been cheapnesed like my old favorites (Prosnip from Vicegrip now owned Irwin and overpriced junk)

Regular Midwest snips cut through 1.0mm stainless like butter despite their rating of 0.8mm stainless/1.25mm mild steel and that's well used examples that have been abused for several years including trimming 1.5mm carbon steel. Midwest also do 'special hardness' models that are designed for cutting inconels and Ti upto 1.25mm as well as various other 'special' models

 

[Wallace]

Midwest are my favorite brand these days... they're still forged (Wiss are now cast) and haven't yet been cheapnesed like my old favorites (Prosnip from Vicegrip now owned Irwin and overpriced junk)

Regular Midwest snips cut through 1.0mm stainless like butter despite their rating of 0.8mm stainless/1.25mm mild steel and that's well used examples that have been abused for several years including trimming 1.5mm carbon steel. Midwest also do 'special hardness' models that are designed for cutting inconels and Ti upto 1.25mm as well as various other 'special' models

Didn't know that about Wiss, such a shame another name has been raped.

 

[hotrodder]

AFAIK Wiss are still owned by the same company and made in the US so they've not been properly cheapnesed. I've not managed to kill a pair of Midwest snips but i suspect like the old Prosnips all the pivots eventually get properly sloppy before you've managed to dull or chip a blade which might be part of the reason why Wiss swapped to casting?

 

[chunkolini]

The Bosch power shears are great for this kind of thing.
Oi! I paid more than for mine in 2008.
Ad says discontinued, but I think available elsewhere.
You aint borrowing mine.
http://www.sitebox.ltd.uk/bosch-gsc-16-sheet-metal-shears-240-volt-only-oBSC_GSC16

 

[Wallace]

The old gear used to wear out about the same time as the operator who bought it new as an apprentice! Tools were bought for life, now they are disposable. Tin snips, my first port of call would be (old) Gilbow's but for aviation snips Wiss used to be the name, these days £20 gets you a set that will just about* do the job if you know how to use them after setting them up properly.

*Not for long though, incorporate their cost into the job.

 

[Hitch]

Ive had a set of Snapon/Bluepoint ones for about 12 years now. Cut many roses out with them, and plenty of other things and still work well.
I'm not 100%, but I think they may have been made by Midwest, which are available easily, and not expensive at around £20/pair.

 

[oilyneil]

Ive had a set of Snapon/Bluepoint ones for about 12 years now. Cut many roses out with them, and plenty of other things and still work well.
I'm not 100%, but I think they may have been made by Midwest, which are available easily, and not expensive at around £20/pair.

I have a pair of the snap on ones and a set of the midwest,, absolutley identical apart from the price difference! Hands down the best snips I've tried,,had Wiss but had to keep adjusting the blades and cant take thin shavings like the midwests.
Even bought a spare set incase,,,

 

[vbottles]

Looking at another way. Would getting them cut with cnc,laser or water jet be more cost effective? A couple of blacksmiths I know only get there leaves laser cut. Quicker and cleaner starting place.then spend your time and skill creating not cutting filing.
Andrew

 

[Perry Owens]

Looking at another way. Would getting them cut with cnc,laser or water jet be more cost effective? A couple of blacksmiths I know only get there leaves laser cut. Quicker and cleaner starting place.then spend your time and skill creating not cutting filing.

Yes it probably would but I'm not planning on making these things as a permanent business. I stupidly made the first one as a present for the wife. She showed it to her friends and then I started getting enquiries from their husbands/boyfriends about making them for Valentines Day. Once the fuss dies down I can go back to making rifle targets, reloading gear and proper boys toys.