The red-snip right-hand bind (using the wrong color)
Red snips cut straight and left (counter-clockwise) because the lower jaw is on the left, forcing the metal on the right side to buckle. For trimming the right-hand side of a sheet, you must use green-handled snips (which cut straight and right). This.
Stop if
- You're fighting the metal because you're using red snips on a right-hand trim. Swap them out for green snips so the lower jaw rolls the scrap metal cleanly away from our good layout line.
Watch out
- Do not force the tool through the problem or substitute the wrong tool just to keep moving.
Check
- Confirm which snips or shears match the cut direction and metal thickness.
- Keep the good side of the sheet flat and let the scrap curl away.
- Use short controlled strokes instead of fighting the tool.
- Stop if the blade drifts, binds, or starts tearing the sheet.
- Correct the tool setup before the edge turns into rework.
Steps
- Confirm which snips or shears match the cut direction and metal thickness.
- Keep the good side of the sheet flat and let the scrap curl away.
- Use short controlled strokes instead of fighting the tool.
- Stop if the blade drifts, binds, or starts tearing the sheet.
- Correct the tool setup before the edge turns into rework.
More in Tools, Fasteners & Hardware