7.3.8 Cutting Tools

Question 1

What are the types of aviation hand snips?

Answer 1

The commonly used aviation hand snips are straight, curved, and hawksbill.

Question 2

What is the purpose of straight aviation snips?

Answer 2

Straight snips are used for cutting straight lines and the outside of a curve.

Question 3

What are the two types of aviation snips based on cutting direction?

Answer 3

Aviation snips cut from right to left or from left to right.

Question 4

How are aviation snips identified by handle color?

Answer 4

Yellow snips cut straight, green snips curve right, and red snips curve left.

Question 5

What should be considered when making cuts with aviation snips?

Answer 5

Cuts must be made about 0.8 mm (1/32 inch) from the layout line and finished by hand filing.

Question 6

What is the primary use of saws in aviation?

Answer 6

Saws are mostly used for separating materials and producing grooves and notches.

Question 7

What are the common sizes of full-size hacksaws?

Answer 7

Full-size hacksaws range from 6 to 16 inches, with 12 inches being the most common.

Question 8

What is the preferred tooth pitch for cutting steel with a hacksaw?

Answer 8

14 teeth per inch (coarse) is preferred when cutting steel.

Question 9

How should hacksaw blades be mounted?

Answer 9

Hacksaw blades must have the teeth pointing forward and are mounted on studs (pins).

Question 10

What is the cutting direction for a junior hacksaw?

Answer 10

The cutting direction is towards the operator, as the teeth face the handle.

Question 11

What is the main advantage of a mini hacksaw?

Answer 11

A mini hacksaw is particularly useful in confined spaces.

Question 12

What is the correct technique for cutting with a hacksaw?

Answer 12

Select an appropriate saw blade, adjust blade tension, clamp the work, and use steady forward strokes.

Question 13

What materials are most files made from?

Answer 13

Most files are made from high-grade carbon steels that are tempered for strength and durability.

Question 14

How are files classified?

Answer 14

Files are classified by shape, cut of the teeth, and pitch (grade) of the teeth.

Question 15

What are the common shapes of files?

Answer 15

Common file shapes include rectangular, square, round, and half-round.

Question 16

What is the difference between single cut and double cut files?

Answer 16

Single cut files have a single row of parallel teeth, while double cut files have one row of teeth crossing another.

Question 17

What does the grade of cut indicate in files?

Answer 17

The grade of cut indicates the strength of cut, with coarse files having fewer large teeth and smooth files having many fine teeth.

Question 18

What is the recommended storage for files?

Answer 18

Files should be stored in a clean, dry environment to prevent rusting.

Question 19

What should be done to maintain the effectiveness of a file?

Answer 19

Frequent cleaning of the teeth with a wire brush file card cleaner is essential.

Question 20

What is the importance of securing the work piece when filing?

Answer 20

Securing the work piece prevents movement and scratching during the filing process.

Question 21

What are the three main filing methods?

Answer 21

The three main filing methods are straight filing, cross filing, and draw filing.

Question 22

What is Cross Filing?

Answer 22

Cross Filing is where the file is used at an angle across the work piece, suitable for thicker pieces of metal.

Question 23

What is Draw Filing?

Answer 23

Draw Filing is a method to achieve a smooth finish by using the file sideways, moving back and forth on the work piece. A single cut smooth file is used for this.

Question 24

How should you file a rounded surface?

Answer 24

For a narrow or partially rounded surface, start the forward stroke with the file inclined downward at approximately a 45° angle, using a rocking chair motion to finish the stroke with the heel of the file near the curved surface.

Question 25

What is the final operation after filing?

Answer 25

The final operation is de-burring, which involves removing fine slivers of metal hanging onto the edge of the material.

Question 26

What should be done with burrs and slivers?

Answer 26

Burrs and slivers should be removed with a de-burring tool, not a file, to avoid scratches and personal injuries.

Question 27

How is a de-burring tool used?

Answer 27

The de-burring tool’s blade is aligned with the edge of the work piece, pressure is applied, and it is moved along the surface with a steady motion and light pressure for optimal results.