Snips and Shears

Snips or shears for cutting metal were used by the Romans and were very similar to the modern stock shears or universal snips. The earliest example so far known appears on a terracotta plaque or shop sign of a toolmaker of Ostia, near Rome, dating from the time of Hadrian, about AD 120.

A much larger tool of the same type forms part of the ironwork in the Cairo Museum from Qustul in Nubia, dating from about AD 400. The Ostia plaque also shows an early form of light shears used by tailors for cutting cloth. This type continued in use right through the Middle Ages and survived as the standard pattern for sheep shears down to the nineteenth century.

A pair of scissors with closed forged handles for the thumb and finger is shown in the Virgin Mary's needlework basket on a Spanish Holy Family miniature of the mid-fifteenth century.

Straight Snips

OTHER NAMES: Flat blade snips, standard snips

SIZE: 7 to 14in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To make straight cuts in sheet metal

All metal cutting snips have long handles to provide adequate leverage when cutting sheet metal. Straight snips have straight jaws in line with the handle. The handles themselves are either straight with a slight curve at the very end, or finished with scissor-like grips which make them easier to open with one hand.

For greater leverage, clamp one handle in a vise and apply pressure to the free handle. Control the work with the other hand.

Making a straight cut

Keep the blades upright at all times to avoid the metal twisting in the jaws and causing them to spring.

Use as much of the blade length as possible for each cut, but avoid completely closing the jaws otherwise you will make a ragged cut.

You can use the edge of a bench to guide the snips when making a straight cut. Rest the work on a bench with the waste projecting over the edge and proceed with the cut in the normal way. The waste will curl away below the work as the cut proceeds.

Avoid cutting wire or sheet metal that is too thick, as it will dull the blade.

Wear gloves when cutting sheet metal with snips as a precaution against injury.

Work right up to the marked line as the tool does not remove metal when making a cut.

Making a convex cut

An outside or convex curve can be cut with straight or universal snips. Cut off as much waste as possible before cutting to the marked line. Proceed as for a straight cut.

Try to keep the waste in one continuous piece. File away any burrs from the finished edge.

Sharpening snips

Clamp the snips iin a vise with the jaws open and file the cutting edge to an angle of approximately 85°. Do not file the flat faces. Take off the burr by rubbing the flat face of each blade on an oil stone.from pivot to tip. Take care not to round the cutting edge

Setting the pivot

Adjust the pivot to tke correct setting and oil the blade as well as the pivot itself.

Hawk's Bill Snips

SIZE: 11 to 13in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To make tight internal or concave cuts in sheet metal

The exaggerated curve and beveled blades of the hawk's bill snips make it easier to cut sharp curves without distort ing the metal.

Circle Snips

OTHER NAMES: Bent snips, curved snips

SIZE: 7 to 14in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To make internal or concave cuts in sheet metal

Universal Snips

SIZE: 11 to 14in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To make straight or curved cuts in sheet metal

Universal snips have narrow thick sectioned jaws which give them enough clearance to cut curves as well as make straight cuts. They are available with straight or cranked handles and for left- or right-hand use.

Double Cutting Snips

OTHER NAME: Pipe and duct snips

MATERIAL: Steel and plastic

USE: To make straight or curved cuts in sheet metal without distortion

Double cutting snips do not distort the material on either side of a cut. This makes them particularly useful when cutting through strong curved shapes such as piping or guttering which cannot be worked with conventional snips. They can also be used with special lever blades to cut materials which would crack or shatter if bent such as asbestos, plastic laminate, hardboard and thin plywood.

Using the cutter

A cutter passes between the two fixed blades, sometimes known as the "anvil", removing a thin strip of waste metal. Allow for this when marking out the work.

Aviation Snips

OTHER NAME: Compound action snips

SIZE: 10in.

MATERIAL: Steel and plastic

USE: To provide improved leverage when making straight or curved cuts in sheet metal

Aviation snips, originally developed for use in the aircraft industry, are made for straight cuts as well as right- and left-hand curves. Their compound lever action permits greater control as well as providing the means to cut harder mateffal. The snips also have specially hardened jaws and comfortable plastic grips.

Making a concave cut

If the curve to be cut is very large and you want to save the waste material, cut to within 1/2in. of the marked line with a cold chisel before using the snips. Alternatively, cut a starting hole in the centre of the waste material and cut outward toward the line in a slow curve.

Continue the curved cut around the circle until the cut is joined up. Finish burred edges with a half round file.

Bolt Cutters

SIZE: Length: 14 to 42in.; To cut bolts: 1/4 to 5/8in. diameter

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To cut steel bolts and rods

Bolt cutters are available with centre cut jaws for general use or "clipper cut" jaws for close cutting at an obstruction. The compound lever action of the tool provides considerable force at the jaws which are adjustable to insure that they meet along their entire length without a gap.

When cutting a bolt keep it as far back in the jaws as possible. A cut bolt can fly off, so use a shield to prevent injury or damage.

Replace worn cutters when necessary and keep moving parts well oiled.

Paper Hanger's Scissors

SIZE: 9 to 12in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To trim wall paper

Paper hanger's scissors have very long blades which make it easier to achieve a straight cut when trimming wall paper. The scissors should be kept sharp by grinding and the cutting edge finished with an oiled slipstone.

Before the days of pre-trimmed paper, paper hangers used to rest the roll of paper in their up-turned feet and gradually unroll the free end in one hand while trimming the edge with the other.

Hanging a strip of wallpaper

When cutting wallpaper to wall lengths, allow an extra 2in. top and bottom for trimming to fit.

Very expensive or traditionally made wallpapers may need to have the selvedge trimmed in the old-fashioned way.

Gently mark the ceiling or baseboard line on the paper with the point of the scissors.

Peel back the paper, trim off the excess and brush back into place.

Pruning Shears

OTHER NAME: Secateurs

SIZE: Various

MATERIAL: Blades: steel; Handles: steel, plastic

USE: To cut back plants

Pruning shears come in many designs, shapes and sizes. Shears can be double bladed or have one cutting blade working against an anvil. Good pruning shears have rust resistant steel blades and handles sprung to open automatically. A lock holds them in a closed position, and is sometimes incorporated with a mechanism which controls the maximum open position to suit different hand sizes.

Keep the blades in good condition by removing moisture and sap after use and applying a little oil.

Flower Shears

OTHER NAME: Flower gatherer

SIZE: 6in.

MATERIAL: Blade: steel; Frame: nylon

USE: To cut flower stems

Flower shears cut like scissors through the stems of flowers. As the blade severs the stem it is automatically held between a spring and an anvil. This allows the tool to be used with one hand which is useful when reaching into dense plant growth. A stem crusher is incorporated behind the pivot.

Lopping Shears

SIZE: 12 to 30in.

MATERIAL: Blade: steel; Handle: ash, steel; Grips: plastic

USE: To cut back shrubs or trees

Lopping shears do exactly the same job as pruning shears, but their long handles improve the reach of the user as well as increase the leverage necessary to cut through thicker material. Some lopping shears incorporate compound leverage which greatly increases their cutting power.

Tree Pruner

SIZE: 6 to 12ft.

MATERIAL: Cutter: steel; Shaft: tubular steel, hardwood

USE: To reach and prune very high tree branches

The tree pruner cuts off high branches by remote control. At the cutting end is a hook which is placed over a branch at the point it is to be cut. At the handle end is a lever attached to the blade by a galvanized cable, which is pulled to sever the branch.

Garden Shears

SIZE: Blade length: 6-1/2 to 8in.

MATERIAL: Blades: steel; Handles: hardwood, tubular steel

USE: To trim grass and hedges

Garden shears cut with a scissor action. Many designs incorporate a notch in the blades near the pivot to retain thicker branches and cut them through with maximum leverage.

The cutting edges should press together throughout their entire length during the cut. This clearance can be adjusted on some shears by loosening or tightening the spring-loaded nut at the pivot point. In some cases, the pivot itself is spring loaded to take up this adjustment automatically.

The blades should be cleaned after use and lightly oiled to prevent rust. Clean off any accumulated rust or residue with emery cloth.

Sharpening shears

Hold the blades apart and finish the cutting edge with an oiled carborundum stone, by stroking from pivot to tip. Keep to the original angle of the cutting edge. Remove the burr by rubbing the stone flat on the inside face of the blade.

Grass Shears

SIZE: 10 to 13in.

MATERIAL: Steel

USE: To cut grass in restricted spaces

Grass shears are used with one hand to trim around trees, rocks and flower beds or in any space where a lawn mower cannot be used. A push button or catch locks the blades closed to protect the cutting edge. Clean and lightly oil the shears after use.

Electric Hedge Trimmer

SIZE: Blade: 12 to 16in.; Speed: approximately 3,000 to 4,000 rpm

MATERIAL: Blades: steel; Casing: plastic

USE: To trim hedges and shrubbery

Electric hedge trimmers are available as purpose-made tools or as power -drill accessories. They can be powered by heavy duty outdoor extension cords or by rechargeable batteries incorporated in the casing. However powered, the motor operates one or two rows of reciprocating cutters.

When cutting with a cord fitted trimmer, keep the cord draped over your shoulder and try to work away from it. Battery charged trimmers have an unrestricted range and there is no danger of accidentally cutting through a cord.

A hedge trimmer is normally fitted with two handles: one incorporates the trigger switch and supports the main weight of die tool, while the crossbar is held in the other hand and used to sweep the tool sideways across the hedge.

Double edged trimmers are preferable as they will cut in either direction as the tool is swept across the hedge; not only is the hedge cut faster, but shoots growing in different directions are picked up by the cutters on the return stroke. To cut the hedge evenly, sweep from the previously trimmed area into the uncut portion.

Remove and clean the blades regularly. As with all power tools hedge trimmers should be disconnected from the power supply before adjustment. In the case of a cordless trimmer, a safety catch should be fitted to prevent accidental starting. Do not use an electric hedge trimmer in wet conditions.

Lawn Shears

SIZE: Length: 36in.; Blade: 7-1/2iin.

MATERIAL: Blades: steel; Shafts: tubular steel, aluminum

USE: To trim restricted areas of lawn

Lawn shears perform the same function as grass shears, trimming those parts of the lawn which are inaccessible to a mower. The extendedliandles allow the shears to be used while standing, and are often detachable for easy storage.

Edging Shears

OTHER NAME: Border shears

SIZE: Length: 36in.; BLide: 7-1/2in.

MATERIAL: Blades: steel; Handles: tubular steel

USE: To trim the edge of a lawn

Edging shears are used to trim the borders of the lawn after mowing. Some designs have detachable handles for storage.

Using shears

Edging shears (left) and lawn shears (right) take the backache out of trimming and grooming your lawn.