How to Crimp Ducts With Snips

Ducts have a male and female end, but when a duct is cut in the middle, the male end is lost. Crimping ducts creates a new male end on the duct. The crimped end has vertical indentations all the way around the duct. This slightly narrows the end of the duct so it can be pushed into the round female end of the duct. When using snips to crimp the ducts, you will want to press into the duct metal without cutting it. Duct tape, though not strong enough to secure duct work, can prevent the snips from cutting through the duct's metal.

Duct tape
Snips

Instructions

- 1
  Wrap three layers of duct tape around the circumference of the duct on the inside and out, leaving the duct open. The tape should extend 2 to 3 inches below the top of the duct.
- 2
  Cover the blades of the snips with duct tape to prevent them from cutting through the tape and the metal on the duct.
- 3
  Open the snips and place the joint against the taped edge of the duct with one blade inside the duct and the other blade outside the duct.
- 4
  Close the snips slowly and gently to press an indentation into the duct without cutting it.
- 5
  Repeat making crimps around the edge of the duct every 1/2 inch until the entire duct has been crimped.
- 6
  Remove the tape from the snips and the duct and check your work. The duct should have even crimping perpendicular to the open end of the duct.

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