Snicking

Snicking is the act of making small notches or cuts in a material, typically to aid assembly, alignment, or fit. The term is used across several trades, including woodworking and metalworking, to describe shallow, precise incisions that are not full cuts through the workpiece. A snick usually produces a narrow doorway for a joint, a locating feature, or a relief cut that facilitates subsequent operations.

Etymology-wise, snick (the notch or nick) is a long-standing English word, and snicking denotes the action of creating such notches. The exact meaning can vary by discipline, but the common thread is a deliberate, minor cutting or removing of material to serve a specific purpose.

In woodworking, snicking is commonly employed to prepare joints or fittings. Notches created by snicking may allow two pieces to sit flush, accommodate hinges or hardware, or relieve material so a piece can sit properly against another. Tools used include chisels, backsaws, or specialized snick knives, followed by careful trimming to achieve the desired fit.

In metalworking, snicking can refer to cutting small notches in sheet or strip metal, often as a preparatory step before bending, forming, or assembling components. The goal is typically to create a precise relief, tab, or guide feature without removing large amounts of material.

Overall, snicking emphasizes precision and control, with the resulting notch serving a functional role in the fabricating or assembling process. See also notch, nick, and snip for related concepts.