Covell's Tips for Snips
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- Опубліковано 1 сер 2024
- This video shows the intimate details of using aircraft snips, with ample demonstrations of how they can be used to make clean cuts without distorting the metal.
There is good commentary about how these tools are commonly misunderstood, and often used improperly.
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![How To Use Aviation (Tin) Snips [3 Colors]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/7-Gg7AZb4AI/mqdefault.jpg)
![How To Use Aviation (Tin) Snips [3 Colors]](/img/tr.png)
do more tool tips, Ron!
p.s. the scientific name for these tools is "hand cramps".
Tony - your comment literally made me break out laughing! I love your unerring sense of humor!
@@RonCovell it's especially funny when I imagine it in TOT's voice.
Hand cramps is right. Gotta say though, if you wanna give stronger handshakes these are the way to do it haha. Mind the carpal tunnel!
Agreed, I never understood why the return spring was so strong. I have actually replaced some of mine with hand made springs with less than half the return force and saved soooo much pain.
Cramps are what my girlfriend has.
I would never admit to using snips wrong but I just learned something new today.
Glad it was helpful!
@@RonCovell I had a vague understanding of most of the material, but backhanded cutting - and most particularly the very last tip for using both handed tools to cut an alleyway in order to minimise distortion is something I'm sure I never would have come up with . Thanks Ron, your videos are invaluable!
@@Gottenhimfella YES - THAT WAS GREAT - NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE
Very rarely does a entire work day go by that I don't use snips, I still have to think about how and what I am going to cut then hold the snips up to the work and stop and think about it before I cut.
@@ericsimpson1176 not any more😉
Your like the grandfather we all wished we had, thank you Ron🇦🇺👌
Wow, thank you!
I think my Grampas would both highly approve of Mr Covell's efforts to pass on his expertise, so I second.
3:16 Unconsciously locks the snips back after opening them. Those hands know the tool.
You're right - I didn't even notice I did that!
I've been a diesel mechanic for 14 years and I don't think I've ever met someone that was able to explain how to properly use what I thought was such a basic tool. Excellent work Ron, thank you for your great videos!
Wow, thank you!
One video that can change someone's life forever. I had no idea of any of this, I always grabbed the snips and just hacked away at whatever it was I needed to cut then cleaned it afterward. This information is revolutionary to a younger audience. Thanks Ron and thanks to TOT for bringing your channel to my attention, I learn something from every video.
Wow - that's a very strong comment!
Brilliant, 44 years old and never knew this, I have all 3 pairs but never use them in my shop as the results are always so poor, looks like I’m going to have a play with them tomorrow 😂😂 cheers
I think you'll have fun tomorrow!
I'm currently wondering how I can get some aluminium out of the scrap bin at work to practice at home!
Peter McKenzie I'm sitting here reading your comment after watching this video, and you literally wrote what I was thinking.
Age...... Check
Red, Yellow, Green.......Check
Rarely use them cause poor results, hmmm.....Check
Need Practice Tomorrow....... Check, Check, Check
This explains a few jobs that went south as an apprentice. Thanks!
I learned something today that I'm going to teach my son tomorrow like I knew it all of my life.
That's great!
"UA-cam has a variety of videos on the proper use of tin snips"
...I'm going to use them any way master craftsman Ron Covell says to.
Well, thank you, but if you watch some of the other videos out there, you are sure to pick up some additional tips. Here's a good one: ua-cam.com/video/io3XF74QVFE/v-deo.html
I bought right handed aviation snips to cut some thin gauged steel because I didn’t know any better. Walked away with messy edges, frustration and bandaids. Thank you for showing me the beauty of tin snips, Mr. Covell.
I'm so glad you 'figured it out'!
I didn't know, and now I do! Tin snips are not as simple as I thought. Thank you.
I'm so glad you found this video helpful!
You're a font of knowledge, Ron. Even with the simplest tool, you always have something new that I didn't know
I think a lot of people can benefit from knowing how to properly use a tool they may already own.
The best presentation I've ever seen on the use of these snips, one thing I'd like to add, don't waste your money on cheap snips, get the best you can afford, the cheaper bargain snips don't last long and don't work nearly as well as the quality tools even when new.
Thanks for mentioning the quality - I agree completely. I bought an import set of the yellow snips for this video, since I didn't have any yellow ones, and they are horrible!
@@RonCovell I have some yellow snips that I have found usefull, I'm not sure what the correct term is for the blade configuration is but it uses a moving anvil and a cutting blade on either side, producing a cut with a waste curle much like and air or electric chisel.
Chisel is probably not the correct term but that's all I've ever heard them called.
Buy Wiss brand the good ones .
Chinese ones don't last or work well.
Tin snips aren't a tool where you can cheap out.
@@bipedalbob They are normal called nibblers as they nibble a strip out.
I've been searching for an hour to understand exactly how left/right handed snips function and from this video it finally makes perfect sense. One of the two blades is always the waste side and one is the good side. As for left/right labels, whether the waste blade is left or right depends entirely on what angle are looking at the snips. But we call one left-handed and one right-handed just as a convention to distinguish them as chiral objects.
It's not that the snips magically can only bend the metal only on one side. In fact depending on the precise angle you hold the tool it will bend both sides in varying amounts. The key point is that when you hold the tool at a good angle you can have three nice things happening all at once: 1) you 'zero out' the deformation on the good side so it is straight, and 2) the good side will miss the pivot even though it is straight 3) the waste-side metal will deform and move away from the pivot. So not only does the right tool angle give you a clean cut but you won't have to fight the material as you push the tool deeper in the cut.
All the funky bends and curves in the tin snips are carefully put there to let you get great results but you need good technique.
You got it - exactly!
I just watched a video on metal snips and actually learned something. Bravo.
It's a good day when we learn something new!
Wow, life-changing, next time I need to cut sheet metal - THANKS!
Happy to help!
Great video! For Christmas I got the red, And my brother got the green snips. Well looks like we have to get along forever now...
Have fun!
This is one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched. And to think I thought my snips were not working! No, it was just a dummy using them.
I'm glad you know how to use them correctly now!
I have no intention of doing any metal work, but can't stop watching.
I wish somebody had showed me this years ago. Thank you so much.
Well, you know now!
I'd noticed the interference with the pivot but not realised this was the system. Thank you Ron!
Now you know!
The very last point with citing down the middle of a sheet - game changer, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Ron Covell YOU RULE. I knew the difference between red and green snips and how they needed to face the cut/waste, but some of the other tips you dropped were completely new to me. thank you.
Glad you learned some new things!
Finally someone explained this to me! Thanks Ron!
You bet!
As fellow sheet metal worker, i appreciate any and all tips that you give. No matter what i always learn something new. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thankyou. When all else fails...read the instructions. 50yrs with all 3 snips I now understand.
Great news!
Great to learn this. It seems like the big distinction is that one side of the metal is the good side, the other is the sacrifice side. So it’s a matter of knowing which side of the snips are the good side.
Great point!
One tip I can think of is if you are ever cutting metal with the intent to fold it over itself like kicking a downspout for example. You need the top section to go inside of lower for water lap purposes, and you can use that effect of the snips end going past eachother he mentions at the end of you cuts for the kick, to tuck the section you want inside inward and the lower section outward. This prevents the metal hitting the other edge as you bring them together and warping the corner. It's a great way to make the metal naturally want to come together as intended.
That's a great tip, indeed! Thanks for sharing.
Great video, I hadn't thought about them being limited to around 1/2" per cut, some of my past errors now make total sense.
In certain situations you can cut off more, but it gets tricky - especially with the thicker gauges of metal.
Yup. If I want to cut a circle out of aluminum, I always cut the circle out around a 1/4" big around the whole circle. Then I cut on the line. Almost 0 warpage.
If there is a person that should have the Nobel-prize in educating others, you ´re it. And thank you for explaining this so easily and understandable, now i don´t need to use as much band-aids cutting corrugated roof-sheets by hand. Thank you again from Sweden!
Great!
I love reading the comments on these vids. So many good souls learning and thankful for it.
Absolutely!
FINALLY! It's like somebody turned on the light! Thank you!
We aim to please!
Love it! I'm a simple IT guy but the tips I get from watching your tool skills will help me in my projects for years! Thanks Ron!
Also 3 dislikes? Obviously from those people whove been using tin snips wrong for their entire life.
Awesome, thank you!
Haha lol
It's probably this old Tony actually you know how he gets
Excellent tips. I've been using snips like this wrong like 99% of everyone else. Thanks for taking the time to clear this up.
Glad you liked the video! Actually, because of the laws of probability, people use snips incorrectly only about HALF the time (smile)!
@@RonCovell LOL, Yeah I guess so 😁
You know, had you been my tin knocker instructor at NAS Millington back in the day, more than likely Id still be in that industry for real as opposed to as my retirement gig. Your instruction is absolutely perfect, thank you
Thank you so much for the kind words!
I never knew they have a difference nor that I need to look about that plus damn amazing
Yes, the red and green snips are completely opposite. Forget about the yellow-handled snips. They really don't do anything well.
Really thank you for sharing the knowledge :D Thank you
Thanks Ron, that was fantastically awesome as usual! Never thought about using them upside down. The “doorknob” trick was genius!
Here’s a snip-it...
...you correctly used the analogy about boating using left/port/red and right/starboard/green.
Aircraft also use left/port/red, right/starboard/green.
So considering the boating analogy, wouldn’t the snips you were using be “boating” snips? 🤣
...just kidding...
Former USAF airframe mechanic.
PS: For non-boaters, just put the smaller words together and the bigger words together. 👍
Hmm - maybe I will try calling them 'boating' snips, and see how people respond!
That is always how I remembered them, small words and big words. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
User comments provide evidence that shop classes are still valuable today. Far too many people lack basic skills with hand tools. Our schools are to blame for eliminating trade classes. Great video!
I'm very glad you like the video, and I completely agree with everything you say!
As a 35 year sheet metal mechanic, I appreciate your tutorial. As you most likely know, once you use the offset aviation snips you'll throw away that standard pair. You could add a video on the difference the offset jaw makes, especially when cutting holes. I also agree that there is really no place for straight aviation snips.
thanks for sharing your knowledge! Craftsman are hard to find now a days.
Thanks so much for your knowledgeable comments! I did recently buy some offset snips, and I look forward to learning how they compare to the 'standard' ones I've used for years.
This was very helpful, thanks! - I've suspected my straight cut snips were the least useful of all of them HAHA :)
They make a good door stop!
Good for cutting banding metal , that is about all .
Straight cut snips are excellent for cutting hardware cloth and other "general purpose" needs :-)
I know mine are the least useful because I've never been able to cut a straight line with them
@@kennethnevel3263 it's really the only use for them. It helps save the life of your other snips, but not worth the extra weight.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your methods of getting the most from aviation snips. In aircraft mechanic school in the 80’s at Embry-Riddle in FL I was taught “snips” have serrated cutting jaws and “shears” have smooth jaws. The issue with cutting aluminum for aircraft structural repairs with snips is that they leave a serrated edge prone to creating stress risers which can create cracks which must be completely removed by filing or sanding. Hand shears leave a clean edge requiring only minor deburring. The convention of red to left (port) and green to right (starboard) applies to aircraft navigation lights as well
Thanks so much for that! I have always wondered what the difference was between shears and snips. Your explanation makes a lot of sense!
Ron, your presentations are fantastic. You transfer such a great depth of understanding at a steady, easy to absorb pace, without leaving anything to our imagination. Thank you.
Wow, thanks!
I’ve been a Sheetmetal worker for 32 years and have always identified snips by the top blade, top blade on the right are right hand snips. But happy to be told otherwise. New sub here.
Right on!
And here I thought 'Left' and 'Right' were referring to which side the top jaw was on.
Thank you Ron!! I didn't even know that right and left Snips exsisted. Shame on me !!
Hey, knowledge is power, so you got just a little more powerful today!
Well over 40 years of aviation mechanics. Now ready to retire yet, today i learned how to use the simplest tool in the box? BANG-Head! Thanks for posting this video, Great Info! Very well explained!
Very cool!
I have used snips for a long time. This is the first time I have any instruction. Thank you.
It often helps if you understand the principles involved!
In the US military (Navy) tech schools they teach this correctly (at least they did in the '70s)
I'm glad you had a good experience. Sone others in the military report they were schooled incorrectly on these tools!
Why even listen to anyone else? Just do what Ron says.
Well thanks for the 'vote of confidence', but there are a LOT of people making great videos on UA-cam. I learn something new every day!
You are the best thing to happen to the metalworking world oh, I've learned so much from you and the few videos I've seen. Your attention to detail and the way that you're attention is always focused on learning or teaching is amazing. Continue to do what you do and keep bending metal
Wow, thank you! More videos on the way.
Thanks Ron, Please more! This should be required reading for Gr 9 shop class EVERYWHERE!! I've been in the trades for 35 years, never known anyone to use these correctly. Met a lot of people with opinions,....
Yeah, there are a lot of people who are clueless about using aircraft snips correctly!
Great video Ron! Such a clear way to understand how and when to use these snips. My son will be excited to see this video. He and I both were curios about this. Thank you!!
Thanks! I hope you keep that little guy learning more every day!
Excellent video. You are only the second person I have ever heard who could both explain with words and demonstration how to use these tools. I plead along with This Old Tony for additional videos on tools and their use. Thank you.
Wow, thanks!
Ron, that parallel red/green cut to get two undistorted parts was a very very good tool tip! This gave me the chance to live in peace with this type of snips since I gave my first set away ,brandnew, to a fried for free.
I'll buy a new pair of red'n green😊
You'll do better next time!
One of the best explanations on the use of aircraft snips I have seen Ron. Very well done and accurate.
Wow, thanks!
I been metal working for 20 odd years and I never actually see the point in aviation snips until now I have always used tin snips and a grinder Thank you @Ron Covell
There's a bright future opening for you right now!
Brilliant demo on using snips, you are the master Ron.
Thanks!
man his cuts were so precise, a true professionAL
Ron, that was some of the best information I have seen online ever, simple yet seemingly unknown to the majority of us. Thank you kindly.
Thanks - this video has become MUCH more popular than I imagined. That's a GOOD thing!
A simple and extremely clear explanation of how we should be using such snips. It will make such a difference- THANKS!!!!
Thank YOU for watching, and commenting!
Thanks Ron!
I'm grateful you chose my topic of aviation snips.
I'm left handed, so know how the lay of the hinge affects cutting with scissors, forget about trying to use locking forceps.
Right on!
Thank you much, Mr. Covell for making and posting this video. (You're a great teacher & craftsman). God Bless you. tonyd\.
Thank you kindly!
I have been using these for decades. And I think I just learned a ton more. Nice and simple explanation. Thanks Ron.
Glad it was helpful!
I can't stop watching your videos this channel is perfect. Thank you.
Wow, thank you! More to come.
Thanks a lot Mr. Covell, it's always a pleasure watching your videos, so much knowledge! Looking forward for more videos from you.
More to come!
Thanks, Mr Corelli. I taught aircraft sheet metal for many years and you are absolutely right. Many seasoned aircraft mechanics did not understand (or use) these two shears correctly. You are an EXCELLENT instructor! Thanks, again.
Thanks for the kind words!
Thanks for clearing that up. I knew they were left and right but I didn't know all of the logic behind it. Watching you demonstrate and explain at the same time, made it very clear to me. Thank you Ron.
Glad to help!
I was lucky to have a skilled tradesmen teach me how to use snips, and this video is the first one that used the snips how he showed me. Great video, he always said its the way you use them not the snips...
I agree!
Man. Watching your videos really makes me want to play with sheet metal more and more, I'm already a halfway competent machinist in part thanks to the collection of folks doing that on UA-cam. I'm now a big fish in a fancy little koi pond and very happy making stuff on the little Haas we have on site. I really enjoyed the rollation series.
Rock on!
Yep, I'm happy to admit, I had no idea what I was doing wrong, and I've always been amazed when I see people use aircraft snips correctly. Now I know, Thanks Ron!
Glad I could help!
Thanks for this video. I really appreciate how clearly you explain things and then follow up with examples. Now I have a much better understanding of why I get such inconsistent results. It's time to go to the workshop and practice using them in the ways you suggested.
You'll get better, I promise!
TIL!! Thanks, Ron! One of the things I'd never have thought to look up.
This makes so much sense, and is so clear.
Glad you liked it!
Awesome video! I work in construction and do a lot of metal work. I thought I was good. Now I'll be better, thank you for the advice.
Wow!! Awesome video!! I have learned alot over the years with Ron Covell!! Thank you so much!!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I got blown away in this video so many times. I know I've never put too much thought on cutting metal with snips, but I do know sometimes the cut is ugly and sometimes not. This made things so much clearer!
Fantastic!
Concise, workmanlike, informative, and very useful. Thank you so much.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent video. Thanks for posting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
You just changed my life, Ron. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed the video!
EXCELLENT....by far the best explanation, procedures, and examples I've seen, Thanks You
Hey, I'm so glad you found this video, and enjoyed it!
Mr. Covell, once again teaching me things I didn't know I didn't know. I'd have never guessed I'd be waking up today excited about aviation snips, but here I am! Thank you, sir.
It's a bright new day in the snipper's world!
Thank you Ron! I just started using aircraft snips at work and I immediately came back you your videos. I thought the cutting interference was something you fixed later with pliers. I never thought of using the snips upside down also. I went back to work today using snips like a pro.
Great to hear!
To add to all the "Thank Yous" Ron - Thank you so much. I could never figure out why some cuts came out perfectly and others mangled the metal. This video explained it perfectly
Glad you learned something useful!
WOW!!!! THANKS, AGAIN, RON!!!! YOUR GREAT TIPS, AND ADVICE, ARE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!...
Thanks for watching!
Excellent content- as usual !! Thanks, Ron.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Just when you have done it all and know everything. . . . . . .Ron comes along. Keep up the tips.
Thanks, will do!
Really good simple and straightforward tips some great advice thanks Ron !
Glad it was helpful!
Invaluable tips!
Thank you Ron.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This tip was wildly helpful for me. Honestly, I had no idea of all these factors. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Own all three, and now I can start to use two of them in a proper fashion. Hand cramps will be much more bearable with decent results. Thank you Ron, Masterful video as always.
Sounds great!
Nice thankyou Ron.
Clearly explained and lots of usage to define expertly.
Thanks for watching, and commenting!
Great tips, Ron! I have been using aircraft snips incorrectly for decades. Thanks! I can't wait to try out your techniques.
Glad to help!
I have almost zero need for snips, but man you made a video as clean, clear, and efficient as those metal edges. Bravo!
Thanks 👍
I have been making Armour and Car Parts for 35 years I’ve never seen someone explain it this well before thank you so much for posting this video
Glad you liked it!
Ron an absolute master class. Thank you for showing everything and not cutting any corners ;-)
Great pun!
Great video, Ron! Dad bought 3 sets in 3 colours many years ago, and was quickly upset that he had not realised they were all different in their design, and not just variations with a colour change. I still have at least 2 of those and now, after all these years, I finally understand what the correct usage is. This video deserves way more than 50k views! It should be pushed to anyone studying your art IMO.
Glad you learned something!
I've had all three for almost 50 years, don't use the yellow much. You've shown me the easy way to use them, thanks!
Glad to help!
This is the best explanation I’ve ever seen on snips! Awesome
Glad it helped!
Thanks Ron, that was great! I watch this from time to time to make sure I'm doing it right.
Hey, a little refresher never hurts!
I've worked with "snips" for 30 years or so, and always wondered the true, correct usage for each. Going to the shop now to practice!! Thanks Ron!!
Good for you - practice makes perfect!