Selecting the right snip depends on the material to be cut, material thickness, cut length, cut direction (straight, left, right) and whether cutting straight, a wide curve, tight curve or circle. Aviation snips make cuts easier because they feature compound leverage handles. Tinner snips are the traditional tools used for decades. They feature a very wide opening but the tools become very heavy and large to cut heavy gauge sheet metal.

CLICK HERE to download/print the Midwest Snips guide for selecting the right snip.

CLICK HERE to download/print our flow chart for selecting the right snip based on different types of cuts.

Click here to download/print our pocket guide to snip models and features.

Click here to download the Metal Cutting Snips Guide To Handtools, Selection, Safety Tips, Proper Use and Care.


Snip Selection Guide:

SELECT 1 type of material and 1 type of cut and we will provide your snip options:
I want to cut this type of material:
Soft Sheet Metal (cold-rolled steel, duckwork, metal flashing, aluminum and steel siding, steel roofing, aluminum and steel soffit, aluminum, copper, steel gutter/downspouts, etc.)
Hardened Sheet Metal (stainless steel, inconel, titanium)
Soft Sheet Vinyl (flooring, landscape materials, tarps, etc.)
Hard Sheet Vinyl and Sheet Plastic (vinyl siding, vinyl gutter/downspouts, landscape edging, plastic tile drainage products)
Screening
Cardboard
Carpet
Abrasive Coated Sheet Material (roofing materials, asphalt shingles, sand paper, etc.) Note: Cutting abrasive materials will cause blade to dull prematurely.
Rubber Hose
Non-Sheet Materials (wire, wire rope, steel rod, fence, nails, etc.)
Seams/Rolled Edges/Multiple Layers
Cement fiber board
Wood (dowels, carpet tack board, lathe strips, etc.)
Round Diameter Steel (wire, cable, rod, wire rope, nails, wire fence, etc.)

I want to make this type of cut:
trim cut
continuous cut through long material
long cut per stroke through thin material
tight curves
notch cut (thick materials, seams, etc.)
double cut (mated cut surfaces)
tight working area
overhead working area