How to cut circles with snips?

Step 1 – Mark guide line

Begin by using a felt pen to mark the cutting line on your metal as a guide for accuracy. For circles, it may be useful to use a base instrument such as a protractor or a drawing compass to get a neat and even circle.

Step 2 – Make starting hole

Next you will need to create a hole in the metal as a starting point by using a hammer and screwdriver.

Push the screwdriver into the metal by knocking on its end with the hammer. This will allow access for the tin snips.

Step 3 – Select snips

Don’t use straight cutting snips for circles or the result will be ragged with messy edges. Use appropriate snips that will cut either clockwise or anti-clockwise all around the circle line.

Step 4 – Start cutting

Insert the tip of the snips into the hole you have created. Open the blades as wide as possible and place the sheet metal into their clasp.

Step 5 – Hold waste

Hold any waste metal out of the way as you cut to keep your guide line clear and to prevent it from binding on the handles.

Step 6 – Complete cut

Soon you will have a perfectly finished circle in the sheet metal.