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Diagonal cutting pliers are used for cutting fine wire, nails, pins, and screws. The angle of the jaws on these pliers makes it possible to cut close to a surface. These pliers are designed for cutting mostly the softer metals and wire. However, they can be used for steel piano wire or stainless steel wire if they have very hard cutting jaws. Because of this you should buy the best diagonal pliers you can get. Cheap ones will not do a good cutting job, and the edges of the jaws will soon be nicked and ruined if used on hard wire. For cutting sheet metal into various shapes you'll need hand snips (Fig. I). Although a pair of straight snips can be used both for straight cutting and for large curves, duck bill snips are more suitable for all-round work. The duck bill snips will cut straight lines or curves in either direction. These snips do not provide too much leverage, and cutting thick metal is hard work. If you want to make it easier, you can get aviation metal snips which have a compound lever action. They will cut thicker metal with much less effort. Figure I. Hand snips. You will also need an assortment of files to use on wood and metal. Files can be used to shape wooden fishing lures; for finishing metal molds, jigs, and other lures, for cutting tempered steel wire, hooks, metal hardware; and for finishing metal lips, propellers, spinners, and spoons. Files are also needed to keep other tools sharp and in proper working order.
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