(Part 2) Best nippers & snips according to redditors

Put the speaker basket over the hole and trace around it.

Use an offset tin snip to make some perpendicular cuts from the existing hole to about .25-.5" inside the line you traced (approx the width of the speaker mounting surface so there's room to securely mount it).

Cut every .5" so you have a bunch of little tabs. Then, just fold them in and back, pop the speaker in, and screw in. Example picture so you get the idea

The bent tabs actually enhance the rigidity of the panel rather than weakening it, reducing flex and all the bad things that come with that (unlike cutting out the metal...)

Grinders don't cut round holes, and grinding away to a round hole is a nightmare, especially if it's your first time.

You'll see this technique all over the place in body work, like when you're flaring fenders. It's the way to go if you ask me.

I think they are missing the blades.
This looks to be the same pattern as these carbide tipped wire cutters
They are used to cut piano wire that would trash out an ordinary pair of dykes.

Any idea what type of commercial installation?

Judging by the tools they asked you to bring you're probably doing duct wrap (insulation). Have a pair of snug fitting work gloves with the rubber palms.

As for general tools:
Klein 11-in-1 (philips, flat head, 1/4 5/16 3/8 nut driver)
Vise grips
needle nose pliers - like these
Channel locks - a set like this is nice. for everyday use you only need the larger channel lock and the needlesnose
Ratcheting set - something like this. there are cheaper options available. Pro-tip, get a carabiner and slide on 1/4" up to 3/4" since those seem to be the most common.
Utility Knife - I prefer these over the sliding ones especially when working with fiberglass
Tape measure - this is the one I've had for the longest.
Adjustable wrench - large and small are good to have

most importantly!
memo book / notepad
ballpoint pen
2 or 3 black sharpie markers

For the first day you probably won't need them, but aviation snips are good to have. Bender and crimper's are good to have.

I noticed someone mentioned an impact driver. First day? I don;t think it's necessary. By your first pay check you should definitely get one though. Talk to the guys in your shop and see what they use. Each worker, company and type of HVAC will demand a different kind of screw gun / impact driver. Rather than dumping a couple hundred on a machine that may not be best for the job, just see what they are using. Maybe pickup a tip set though, just in case. If you have to borrow a screw gun for any reason you'll at least have your own tips.

I think you are right.

Midwest Tool and Cutlery MWT-6716S Forged Blade Straight Cut Aviation Snips https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003A2OJWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aCCZzbTMSWDM0

no problem man.

Any basic knife will do

flashlight: https://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Flashlight-EdisonBright-Lithium-Batteries/dp/B00DR9GWX0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1503516912&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=fenix+flashlight&psc=1

Screwdrivers:https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Precision-Screwdriver-Computer-CTK100P/dp/B0001NYK16/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1503517004&sr=1-1&keywords=micro+screwdriver+set

Tweezers:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XXXQHS8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Solder Iron:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRC2XU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Solder Sucker:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GIPKOW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Solder Station:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXL6AHM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Solder Iron Tip Cleaner:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PQ32EPA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Spring Punch:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037UUO60/ref=twister_B01IRD4F34?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Wire cutters:https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-TR-20-M-D-Flush-cut-Construction-Dissipative/dp/B00FZPM2AQ/ref=sr_1_15?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1503517519&sr=1-15&keywords=soft+wire+cutter

I can’t believe these exist

Orvis Nippers (Pewter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XX13D7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gHkaCb75GBNBN

We cut all of ours by hand with snips. We could make parts fast and on the go.

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-FMHT73756-Gauge-Straight-Aviation/dp/B00WI96KG4/ref=sr_1_6?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1540946166&sr=1-6&keywords=snips

I got you fam

MIDWEST Power Cutters Long Cut Snip - Straight Cut Regular Tin Cutting Shears with Forged Blade & KUSH'N-POWER Comfort Grips - MWT-6716A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OJ0KP7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Sv6PDb4JGQR9Q

I'm curious, what do you use to cut them? I was using snippers sort of like this:
https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-8-Inch-Straight-Pattern-35103/dp/B00KX4KAHG/ref=sr_1_26?keywords=tin+snippers&qid=1573249409&sr=8-26

Your stonework and windows look nice, btw.

For straight cuts, I like the double-cut snips. They make clean lines and you don't have to fight to keep your hand and the snips out of the way as you're cutting. So much easier to use than traditional snips. They do have a kerf though, so they wouldn't work if you can't take a little strip of scrap in what you're cutting.

I've got this pair: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZOMTYU and it's great.

Have you tried getting a kids toy out of a package lately? Fuck a pocket knife, I carry snips.

Use these.

Thanks! I think I'm going to go with some offset long cut snips and a metal file

saw is the wrong tool. Use a nippers. Nails are soft, they cut easily.

I have this one from Weaver - https://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Leather-00068-Round-Knife/dp/B00UVBJQX0
It's nice and solid and the steel seems to be pretty high quality. It will also require considerably less work to bring it to proper sharpness and has the benefit of a completely round blade profile, so jigs can be made to sharpen it.

I think it's a trim nail driver:

https://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Tool-Cutlery-MW-TND-Driver/dp/B003IWB042

edit: this one looks more like yours:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Self-Centering-Nail-Setter-58-011/100654915

For the white marks there are two things to help.

1. Make two cuts with your nippers - one about halfway down the gate (the plastic between the round parts of the runner and the actual part) to free it from the runner, then a second cut with the nippers flush against the part. I've been doing this recently and while you have to make more cuts, the amount of cleanup you have to do is minmal to none. I started doing this halfway through my MG Jesta because that black plastic was nub mark city and the results were night and day. HOWEVER, if you have crap nippers then you may run into the same problem soooooo.....
   
   
2. BUY GOOD TOOLS! You don't need to go out and buy the fabled SPN-120 nippers, but I would seriously recommend these: GodHand GN125. They are far and away the best nippers I have used for the price. They cut nicely, hold their edge well, and on the lighter color plastics I can get cuts that need no cleanup at all with them. Much better than the ones you'll get at the local hobby lobby! For X-actos I've started using their Z-series blades and they too have made my gunpla a lot better looking than whatever old ones I was using before I went tool shopping. Having the right tools makes a HUGE difference, enough to justify the expense if you're building more than 1-2 kits.

To those who really want this:You can get a Knipex Pliers wrench, which is like a crescent wrench combined with pliers. It's doesn't automatically adjust but you get a TON more strength. I personally own this and it's about the only tool I carry with me around the farm along with a Leatherman.

I like the flat sides when compared to a set of channel locks as it doesn't mar up my bolts. You also get a really tight fit. I got this because I was constantly going back to the shop to get a stupid wrench cause I brought the wrong size when a bolt would fly off.

I also recommend the comfort grip model. I wish I had got the tether point as well so I could put a lanyard on it to attach to my belt so it doesn't come out of my pockets while riding on a tractor/UTV/mower.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3AE1HV/ref=psdc_553324_t3_B01AY0JXPS?th=1

I've been in for a little over 5 years now, and trust me you're not saying anything I don't already know. Doesn't mean I have to like it or accept it though. There's a lot of frustration underneath this whole debate for me that's a result of 4 years of not being able to get the things we actually need from our RA (climbing boots, cold weather gear, wet weather gear, basic tools, shit they're required by AFI to give us). So seeing one tell people to fuck off probably got to me. Problem was, until the year I left, we only had staffs to fight for us. Everyone above them wasn't my career field and couldn't understand why we needed the shit we needed (for the record, I'm comm, but my career field fits in better with CE). Then we got a senior superintendent who was from my career field who could start throwing some serious elbows in people's faces.

Anyway, now I'm going off on a tangent and should call it quits.