Snips

Aviation snips, straight-pattern tinner's snips, duckbill and HVAC snips, shears and cable cutters from Wiss, Crescent and Channellock. Compound-action aviation snips multiply grip through a linkage, which is what lets a 10-1/2 in. pair go through 20 gauge without both hands. Straight-pattern snips cut heavier stock but want hand strength and room to swing. Gauge capacity is the number to check — 23 gauge for light sheet and flashing, 20 gauge for duct and heavier sheet metal — and hand seamers bend and flatten a hem that no snip will.