What Are Aviation Snips and Their Types?

When looking for cutting tools to utilize for aerospace operations, some of the most popular are aviation snips. Though they may appear like a typical pair of shears, aviation snips have a handle and a cutting blade that allows them to achieve many different types of cuts. They are defined as handheld cutters that are designed for use with sheet metal.

Also called sheet snips, aviation snips have the ability to support straight cuts, left cuts, and right cuts. Equipped with a long handle that is connected to a cutting blade, they allow operators to cut through pieces of sheet metal by placing the sheet metal between the blade and squeezing the handle. While there are numerous types of cutting tools available, aviation snips are often tools of choice due their versatile design.

They are referred to as “aviation snips'' because they were originally designed for use in the aerospace manufacturing industry. As airplanes are constructed almost exclusively using sheet metal to form fuselages and other components, manufacturers can easily carry out irregular cuts with aviation snips. More than that, aviation snips are strong, achieving cuts through aluminum sheet metal in sizes of up to 18 gauges and cuts through stainless steel in sizes of 26 gauges.

As previously stated, aviation snips can perform a variety of cuts, including left and right cuts. For aviation snips that cater to such cuts, one must refer to the product description during the procurement process. Alternatively, one can also look at the color of the handle to determine whether an aviation snip is designed for left or right cuts. For instance, aviation snips with a red handle are designed for left cuts, whereas those with a green handle are designed for right cuts. A third variation includes a yellow handle, those of which are capable of carrying out both types of cuts.

Aviation snips are also available in upright and long styles. Upright aviation snips feature a blade that has the capacity to rotate 90 degrees from the handle, providing an ergonomic design for use in compact spaces. Meanwhile, long aviation snips have an ultra-long blade, allowing operators to make long straight cuts. Regardless of the operation at hand, the versatility of aviation snips enable operators to carry out their cutting tasks with ease.

If you find yourself in need of straight cut aviation snips, right aviation snips, or left aviation snips, look no further than Aviation Parts Distributor. Aviation Parts Distributor is a leading distributor of aviation snips, all of which have been sourced from top global manufacturers. Kickoff the purchasing process with a competitive quote which can be accessed by clicking on the “RFQ” button situated next to any available item on our catalogs. For additional questions, contact us directly; we are available 24/7x365!