(c) Cutting extremely heavy gage metal always presents an opportunity to
spring the blades. Once the blades are sprung, hand snips are useless. Use the
rear portion of the blades only when cutting heavy material. This not only avoids
the possibility of springing the blades but also gives you greater cutting leverage.
(d) It is hard to cut circles or small arcs with straight snips. There
are snips especially designed for circular cutting. They are called hawk-bill
snips and aviation snips. Use these snips in the same manner as you would use
straight snips and observe the same precautions. Like straight snips they come in
many different sizes.
(e) Many snips have small serrations (notches) on the cutting edges of
the blades. This tends to prevent them from slipping backwards when a cut is being
made. Although this feature does make the actual cutting much easier, it mars the
edges of the metal slightly. You can remove these small cutting marks if you allow
proper clearance for dressing the metal to size. There are many other types of
hand snips used for special jobs. The snips discussed here can be used for almost
any common type of work.
(f) Learn to use snips properly. They should always be oiled and
adjusted to permit ease of cutting and to produce a surface that is free from burs.
If the blades bind, or if they are too far apart, the snips should be adjusted.
(g) Never use snips as screwdrivers, hammers, or pry bars. They break
easily. Do not attempt to cut heavier materials than the snips are designed for.
Never toss snips in a toolbox where the cutting edges can come into contact with
other tools. This dulls the cutting edges and may even break the blades. When
snips are not in use, hang them on hooks or lay them on an uncrowded shelf or
bench. Never use tin snips to cut hardened steel wire or other similar objects.
Such use will dent or nick the cutting edges of the blades.
(2) Bolt cutters. Bolt cutters (fig 38) are used to cut bolts, rod, wire
rope, cable, screws, rivets, nuts, bars, strips, and wire. A bolt cutter is shaped
like a giant shears with short blades and long handles. Different cutting edges
are designed for specific applications.
Figure 38.
Types of bolt and nut cutters.
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