Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
TR6oldtimer
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You only need it a few times, but when you do, you really do.
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Butane-fired dikes?
OP
TR6oldtimer
Darth Vader
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It is a safety wire twister. Like Randy said, used on the clutch fork pin. It is also used on the steering column rubber joints and can be used on the rear axle and steering rack boots. Some have drilled holes in the bolts holding the flywheel, and safety wired them as well (I am not doing that).
Easy to use. You just clamp the two wires to be twisted, then pull the silver knob which spins the pliers twisting the wires.
A well made tool made delivered by Aircraft Spruce for $22.
Easy to use. You just clamp the two wires to be twisted, then pull the silver knob which spins the pliers twisting the wires.
A well made tool made delivered by Aircraft Spruce for $22.
OP
TR6oldtimer
Darth Vader
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I learned to use them in the Navy, same period, while repairing radar antennas and other machinery subject to vibration. There is a trick to it, but not hard to do once shown the way. I loaned my original out to a friend while working in the shipyards, never to be seen again...
This was an impulse buy on a rainy day.
This was an impulse buy on a rainy day.
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OK, my response was obviously in jest, but I'm curious: How do they work?
Monkeywrench
Jedi Trainee
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If you own or work on a racecar, those will become your new best friend.
D
DougF
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I bought a pair from Harbor Freight several years ago. They do work great.
You grip the wire in the plier jaws and lock the handle. In the photo you can see the center bracket is welded to the upper handle. The bottom handle locks into that bracket. Once locked, you pull on the silver knob at the end of the center shaft. The shaft is threaded and allows the tool to spin, putting a perfect twist to the wire.
You grip the wire in the plier jaws and lock the handle. In the photo you can see the center bracket is welded to the upper handle. The bottom handle locks into that bracket. Once locked, you pull on the silver knob at the end of the center shaft. The shaft is threaded and allows the tool to spin, putting a perfect twist to the wire.
bgbassplyr
Darth Vader
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I've had a pair for years and use them more than one might think.
Marvin Gruber
Yoda
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I used them on Helicopters (USAF 70-74), you can twist alot of wire with them. I thought of them when I replaced the clutch fork on a TR. Can't say it would be justifiable to buy a pair for that job alone but tools are tools.
Marv
Marv
K
KSIS
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That was a dreaded tool in the Navy for me. Seem everytime they would drop a seta a chip would come out. Then we have to shut down the shop and look for the FOD (foreign object debris).
I actually went through and did a comaprison as to which was the most durable set. Blue Point came back as the winner with a comapany out of germany as the second.
I actually went through and did a comaprison as to which was the most durable set. Blue Point came back as the winner with a comapany out of germany as the second.
OP
TR6oldtimer
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DrEntropy said:
A nice example of the proper use of lock wire. For those who have not done this, you will notice the application of the wire, with tension on each bolt, in the direction that would tighten the bolt. The real trick is to get just enough of the wire twist to reach the second bolt, then when the wire that passes through the second bolt is twisted, it creates tension on the twisted wire between the two bolts holding them fast. That puppy is going no where.
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Thanks for the explanations of its use and the picture!
Bremer
Jedi Hopeful
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The saftey wiring of fasteners is common on race cars and motorcycles. Most race organizations have detailed rules about what fasteners are to be safety wired, on which ones Loctite may be used etc. I can tell you from experience, drilling holes into bolt heads or nuts takes a lot of patience and extra drills. Well, the things you do to get your vehicle ready for the track...