DeWalt 10 in Tin Snips

First impressions and setup

Pulling straight, clean cuts through sheet metal is one of those tasks where a good pair of snips can save time and frustration. I’ve been putting these 10-inch DeWalt snips through common shop and site chores—HVAC ducting, aluminum flashing, light-gauge brackets, and the occasional stainless trim—and they’ve settled into a reliable, no-nonsense role in my kit. They’re a straight-cut pattern with forged steel blades, serrated jaws, and a double-dipped cushion grip. Nothing flashy, just purpose-built features that matter.

Out of the package, the jaws lined up cleanly and the grind was consistent across the cutting edges. The serrations are fine, not aggressively toothed, which is what I want for grip without leaving excessive marks. The handles feel secure in bare hands and don’t get slick with sweat or oil—a small, important detail in a hot attic or when you’re working around a compressor.

Build and design

The forged blade construction is the first indicator these are meant for real use, not just occasional hobby cuts. The 10-inch overall length with a 2-1/2-inch length of cut strikes a good balance: long enough to make meaningful progress in each bite, but not so long that the tool becomes awkward in tight spaces. The pattern is straight cut, so there’s no left or right offset to help lift material out of the way; that does make visibility and cut management more straightforward on straight lines and big sweeps, but it’s not the best choice for tight curves.

The serrated jaws do what they’re supposed to do: they hold the work. On slick stainless and painted coil stock, the teeth reduce wandering at the start of a cut and help maintain a steady track through the cut. The trade-off is light scoring on finished faces if you clamp down hard. That’s not unique to these snips, but it’s worth noting if you need a pristine finish. A strip of painter’s tape or keeping the serrated jaw on the waste side is an easy workaround.

Cutting performance

The manufacturer rates these for up to 22-gauge cold-rolled steel and 26-gauge stainless. In practice, they cut 22-gauge galvanized duct cleanly with manageable hand force—two hands for long cuts feels natural and controlled. On 26-gauge stainless backsplashes and trim, they’ll get it done without chattering, provided you feed steadily and let the blades do the work. Pushing into thicker material is possible for a few bites, but it quickly becomes inefficient and risks deforming the work; this isn’t a brute-force tool, and it’s not pretending to be.

On aluminum flashing and light-gauge sheet, the snips are fast. The 2-1/2-inch bite means fewer restarts along a line compared to shorter aviation snips, which reduces the chance you’ll wiggle off your mark. Cut edges were consistent, with a slight curl on the waste side as expected. If you keep the upper blade on the waste side, the finished edge stays flatter and requires less cleanup.

Accuracy and control

Tracking a scribed line is dependable. The straight pattern lets me keep the snips square to the mark and see the blade tips as they pass through. Serrations help prevent that first-slip stumble that can ruin a neat start, especially on painted or coated metal. The snips aren’t designed for tight radii; soft arcs are fine, but for tight curves I switch to left/right aviation snips or a nibbler. Try to force a tight turn and you’ll end up twisting the stock or plowing divots into the edge.

I also appreciate the predictable closing feel: no gritty spots, no blade kiss that eats the edge. They’re not compound-leverage snips, so your hands provide the power. For the gauges these are meant for, that’s acceptable and, frankly, gives me better tactile feedback over the cut.

Ergonomics and grip

The double-dipped cushion grips hit a sweet spot—firm enough to transmit feedback, soft enough to avoid hot spots. With gloves on, I can still index my hand reliably and keep control in cramped spaces. I didn’t experience any slipping, even when my hands were oily. The tool length offers decent leverage without becoming unwieldy; it fits comfortably in a pouch and doesn’t feel nose-heavy.

One note: because there’s no offset to keep material away from your hand, long cuts in big sheets will push the waste up toward your knuckles. It’s standard for straight-pattern snips; plan your cut order and flip the work when needed to keep things clear.

Durability and maintenance

The blades have held their edge through several weeks of mixed use, with no nicks or notable dulling. Wipe-downs and a light oil on the pivot kept things closing smoothly. The serrations are still crisp, which tells me the heat treat is appropriate for the intended gauges. DeWalt states these meet or exceed ANSI performance and durability requirements; while that’s not a guarantee of immortality, it’s a useful benchmark for a shop tool that sees daily use.

Maintenance is straightforward: don’t cut wire, screws, or hardened mesh; keep them clean; and avoid prying. If you’re cutting a lot of stainless, a drop of cutting fluid along the line reduces friction and preserves the edge. The 1-year limited warranty is fine but conservative—many hand tools stretch to lifetime coverage. That said, good habits will matter more than policy for everyday users.

Where they fit in a kit

For HVAC work, these snips are excellent for long straight runs, trimming returns, and squaring up cuts in 22–24 gauge galvanized. In automotive tasks, they’re handy for custom brackets and thin stainless shield work. In electrical applications, they’re useful for trimming light-gauge panel covers or raceway, though I avoid them on live-center knockouts or anything that begs for a dedicated knockout set.

If your work leans heavily into tight curves or complex profiles, complement these with left and right aviation snips. If you’re frequently cutting above 22-gauge steel, a set with compound leverage or power shears will save your hands. But for straight, clean, predictable cuts in the stated gauges, these are a strong core option.

Limitations and trade-offs

• Not ideal for tight-radius curves; the straight pattern and longer cut length favor straights and gentle arcs.
• Serrations can mar finished faces; protect the surface or keep the serrated blade on the waste side.
• No compound leverage; prolonged cutting at the top end of the rated gauges requires grip strength and two-hand operation.
• The 1-year limited warranty trails some competitors in this category.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth aligning with your use case.

Tips for best results

• Score a light first bite to establish the path, then commit to a steady feed.
• Keep the upper blade on the waste side to minimize deformation of the finished edge.
• Use a straightedge as a fence for sheet starts; the serrations will lock in and prevent wander.
• Tape your cut line on finished or painted stock to reduce cosmetic marking.
• Oil the pivot occasionally and avoid twisting the tool to force curves.

Recommendation

I recommend these DeWalt snips for anyone who needs a reliable, straight-cut pair for everyday sheet-metal work in the 22–26 gauge range. They cut to their rating with clean results, the serrated jaws make starts confident even on slick stainless, and the grips stay secure in real-world conditions. While they’re not a substitute for compound snips on heavier stock or aviation snips for tight curves, they excel at what they’re designed to do: fast, predictable straight cuts with minimal fuss. If your work centers on ducting, flashing, and general fabrication within the specified gauges, these belong in your bag.