Metal-cutting snips fall into two basic categories: tin snips and aviation snips. You want a pair of straight cuts, or left or right-handed pair, for cutting both straight, and around corners. We’ll recommend a pair of tin snips that will get you through 90 percent of the jobs you’ll run into. Open the cutters as wide … If you’re a professional roofer, an electric nibbler is the main tool you should use to cut corrugated metal. Sheet metal edges are razor sharp. The double cut design leaves clean and smooth edges on both sides (unlike the single-cut shear) and doesn’t leave too much waste. Place the tin snips around the bit of tin you want to cut, and then squeeze down firmly. Comfortable to use no matter how long the job lasts, this tool has an ergonomic and slim design for easy gripping and weighs only 3.6 lbs. Yes, and here’s how! They’re able to cut curves or straight lines, leaving neat edges. Tin sheets are lightweight, easy to maneuver, flexible and soft – you can cut it manually using snips or by using electric tools like turbo shears, nibblers or grinders. But when you come to the thicker locking seam, you’ll need the extra leverage of compound snips. After asking around roofers and pro sheet metal workers, we’ve come to the conclusion that cutting corrugated metal with anything producing heat is destructive, messy and not professional. Result Of Top 10 Best Tin SnipS In 2020 7. They don’t cut curves well. Once you know how to use it, everything becomes very easy. 5 Best Red Wing Roofing Boots |Break-in Process, Care Guide &... Korkers Tufftrax 3-in-1: Reviewed for Performance in 2018, Thorogood Lace-To-Toe Roofer Boots | Complete Review (2020), Ideal for small roofing jobs & small cuts, Ideal for cutting straight lines and cutting curves around corners, Leaves annoying nibblets that can scratch the sheet’s surface, Shear attachments are cheaper than nibblers, Expensive if you’re buying a standalone electric shear, Can cut through thick corrugate with ease. Today we share the safest, best and least destructive ways to cut corrugated metal roofing. Right: Wiss A9 tin snips $18 wisstool.com Rodney Diaz. Each snip can do one direction well, but not the other. Aviation Snips, aka tin snips. Punch a hole through the metal using a cold chisel and mallet or drill through with a heavy-duty drill with a bit that is rated for metal. You can use the snips with either hand, but if you’re right-handed you’ll find it easier to use green snips for many types of cuts (Photo 1A). If obstructions in a work area prevent you from completing a cut with one set of snips—red-handled snips, for example—switch to green-handled snips and complete the cut by going in the opposite direction. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies, By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine. With the tools we recommend, you’ll make clean, fast and efficient cuts with smooth edges. Use this technique if you’re right-handed or in tight quarters. It cuts metal almost as easily as a scissors cuts paper. The cutters are offset below the handle so you can keep your cutting sheet metal hand above the work, and the compound action allows you to cut thicker material with less effort. Punch a starter hole for a circular cutout with a straight-blade screwdriver. Using them is much similar to working with a regular scissor, so it should not be a burden. If you’re using tools that use heat like circular saws or grinders (although we don’t recommend it, see why below), you need to be extra careful and add safety glasses, ear protection, face shield, safety roofing boots, long-sleeved clothes to avoid burns. With tin snips, you will move slowly, so you are unlikely to make mistakes. The cutting process is fast, almost effortless and effective. 8 Best Value Brand Hand Tools You Can Find at Home Depot, Make Painting Easier With the 2-Edge Putty Knife, 11 Ridiculous Labor Day Deals on DeWalt Tools, 5 Skil Tools We Love From Amazon’s Summer Sale, 10 Basic Tools Needed for Most DIY Projects, 20 Things DIYers Should Always Buy at Harbor Freight, These Are The Top 8 Hand Tools at Harbor Freight, Ergonomic Household Products That Will Save Your Back, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Parts of Your Home Prone to the Most Winter Weather Damage, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Shape and Straight Cutting Snips $ 35.00 – $ 65.00; Beran Combination Tin Snips Bessey Ideal Cutting Snips $ 45.00; Klenk Tinner’s Shear $ 17.00 – $ 40.00; Stubai Springs for Combo Tin Snips (5pk) $ 15.00; Sale! Leaves smooth and neat edges. These problems are common for those of us who don’t work with sheet metal every day. Some roofers say that using a circular saw with the blade put it backward has good results. Shop tin snips and a variety of tools products online at Lowes.com. These circular saws are great for cutting through tin or other thin metal roofing materials. Use this snips if you’re left-handed or in tight quarters. To make the cutting process easier, make sure the work area is wide enough so that you can have enough room to move freely and handle the material with ease. The cheapest way to cut metal roofing is with a pair of tin-snips. It cuts effortlessly through corrugated metal, doesn’t jam and can easily cut straight lines and curves. Tin roofs are lightweight and soft by nature, this is why cutting them manually with snips is a good option. Best Way to Cut Corrugated Metal Roofing Metal sheet for the roofing is available in the good old-fashioned flat type one and the corrugated one. Metal lath and hardware cloth can be cut with a tin snips, but there’s an easier way. You choose what type of tin snips to use depend on the cut you need to make: Compound snips are designed more for leverage and maneuverability than for straight cutting. The tool nibbles its way through the sheet, so it literally punches tiny pieces of metal one at a time at high speed, leaving behind waste material in the form of tiny metal chips. Even so, your cut will probably be a little ragged. 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Left: Malco MD10 duckbill tin snips $23 malcoproducts.com. Tin snips, or tinners, resemble a pair of scissors, and this simple design means few problems with malfunctioning or breaking. Plus, they’re much cheaper than a standalone shear tool. Ideal for professional roofers and metal workers who want quality work. Tin snips are typically used for cutting and trimming thin metal sheets to specific measurements. I’d recommend starting your collection with an offset compound snips (Photos 1, 1A and 2). The Malco Turbo Shear was highly rated and I found the best price through this vendor. Because of its unique wavy shape, some people find it difficult to cut corrugated metal sheets. There are many types of snips available on the market, designed either for straight or curved cuts. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But you don’t have to be a tinsmith to cut sheet metal successfully. Another thing we like most about this tool is that it doesn’t damage the metal, the paint or the protective coating. The dry-cut technology allows for a cleaner metal cutting. Pound on the back of the screwdriver with a hammer to puncture the metal and create an opening for the tin snips. If you do not have a Sawzall or other saw that will safely cut metal, use a pair of heavy-duty tin snips. 5 Amp 16-Gauge Nibbler The Makita 16-Gauge Nibbler has a die that The Makita 16-Gauge Nibbler has a die that rotates 360° and a large 1/4 in. After trying tin snips, a Nibbler , an Excalibur Hyper Drive cutter and an Irwin metal cutting blade from Bunnings, I almost gave up on this problem. Excellent for professional large projects. Even if you succeed, the resulting hole will probably have a ragged edge. ELECTRIC SHEARS & ATTACHMENTS: PROS AND CONS. Take the precision of delivering cuts to a new level with the … Probably it’s also the cheapest way for cutting corrugated tin roofing. This snips set are designed for easy cutting (compound leverage), are comfortable to use and long lasting. Tin snips are designed for the purpose of cutting or trimming thin metal materials, like those used for gutters or metal roofing. This cutting tool is lightweight, easy on the hands and the ergonomic grip makes it easy to handle. If you’re left-handed, approach the cut from the opposite direction with red-handed snips (Photo 2). Best Snips for Corrugated Metal: MIDWEST Aviation Snip Set Left, Right, Center Offset Cuts, 2. For ease and perfection, I highly recommend hiring the best roofing company which is a safe and tame saving move. Aviation snips, also called tin snips or compound snips (even though they are different), are the best hand tools for cutting sheets of metal. Creates hot sparks that are flying everywhere damaging the paint. Stabilize the tin roofing with your non-dominant hand. We hope you love the products we recommend! Serrated blade grips material for a smoother cut on thin material. Always wear leather or other sturdy gloves when you’re working with sheet metal. DOUBLE CUT ELECTRIC SHEARS & ATTACHMENTS, Best Double-Cut Electric Shear: Milwaukee 2635-20 M18 Cordless 18 Gauge Double Cut Shear, Best Turbo Shear Attachment: Malco TSCM Corrugated Metal Turbo Shear. Use a tape measure, carpenter’s square or a two-by-four, and a permanent marker. If you don’t want to buy a standalone electric shear, turbo shear attachments might be a great option for you. Mark round ducts by measuring in from the end at intervals and drawing a broken line with a permanent marking pen. Flip them so the proper side faces up before you pin them in place with adjustable clamps. Tin Snips Tins snips are probably the simplest way to cut tin roofing because they’re designed for cutting soft metals. With the right tool and a few simple techniques, you can make almost any cut with ease. MIDWEST Aviation Snip Set - Left and Right Cut Offset Tin Cutting Shears with Forged Blade & KUSH'N-POWER Comfort Grips - MWT-6510C 4.8 out of 5 stars 4,672 # 1 Best Seller in Nippers & Snips MIDWEST Aviation tin snip MWT-6716B. Shear attachments help you make clean and fast cuts. If you’re using compound snips, open and close the jaws fully with each stroke to maximize the length of the cut. Long, straight cuts are easier to make with large tin snips. You have entered an incorrect email address! Nibblers are ideal for cutting corrugated sheet metal, making fast, safe and clean cuts. I have now used it for three metal roofs and a 40’ x 16’ building with metal siding. KSEIBI 142025 10 Inch Tin Snip. Compound snips, also called aviation snips, are color coded. Situations like this, which usually occur when you’re modifying heating or air conditioning duct work, are about the only reason to own both red- and green-handled snips. The cordless design is convenient and makes the tool ultraportable. With proper tool selection you can do it with ease. Danner Bull Run | Pros, Cons and Best Features (2020 Full... Best Air Hoses for Nail Guns: Ideal for Roofing & Framing... Bostitch RN46-1 Roofing Nailer (Review & Buying Guide). Makes two cuts at a time, leaving clean and smooth edges, and minimum waste. Find tin snips at Lowe's today. Another efficient way to cut corrugated metal sheets is by using electric shears. Use curve-cutting snips to cut circles. Just so you know, when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Using tin snips to cut metal roofing . However, you need to have plenty of experience with a circular cutting saw before you use it for a project like this. Photo 3 shows how to cut through thick metal. Bessey Shape and Straight Snips $ 45.00 – $ 80.00; Sale! 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