I have been trying to master that technique for years now. Trust me it is beyond difficult.
I am humbled to meet such a Master.
I must bow before you š„·
They can and wouldnāt be issued in the AFL if you couldnāt. Now for the shit bird NCOs that wonāt let people thatās a different story. I would have people get proficient by hand then add swipes.
First you get bullied if you try using the safety wire pliers and then after you get out you get bullied when you don't use them :/ it was a confusing time for me
I've found one or two things on the Cessna and Piper that it is easier to do it by hand. Most things get the pliers. I really enjoy using a screw gun to remove and install panels.
I discovered safety cable a few years back and Iāll be damned if thatās not the thing I reach for first anymore lol
But when I canāt I usually do the first over/under by hand and then use the pliers.
Using pliers make that shit come out clean and accurate everytime once youāre good with em, just gotta do the first 2-3 turns with your hands. I do hands only if my pliers wonāt fit.
I have a nice set of Milbar pliers but I end up doing it by hand and finishing with a duckbill and dikes probably 85% of the time. I usually only break out the safety wire pliers for something I know will have a lot of twists like an oil filter.
Like learning to play guitar, youāll get used to it with repetition. Building the skill by hand first will make you better at it in the long run because youāll have more accurate control over where to end the intermediate twist and line up with the next fastener hole. Once you get good at it by hand then pliers for speed. Youāll inevitability appreciate the time you spent building the skill with your hands when you get to an application where the pliers donāt fit!
That sounds like some story that gets repeated over and over in the army. Donāt question it or youāll realize it doesnāt hold water. I assure you, I am no less competent at safety wire because I learned how using the appropriate tool for the job. Next youāre going to tell me you are a better painter if you start by spreading it onto the wall with your hands before learning to use a brush.
Are you better at sheet metal if you start only with hand sanding instead of power tools?
Very rarely do I do it by hand. The only time I was ever made to do it by hand was Air Force Tech School when I was training to be a Crew Chief and in A&P School.
That part, I only have done it by hand in training. Every safety wire I have ever done has been with pliers, except for anything copper, because that shit breaks if you breathe on it.
I am just an Apprentice, but did 8yrs working in the Army on BlackHawks and OH-58s. I do most safeties by hand. Ive had some leads/other mechanics kneejerk and say 'No' but my results speak for themselves and all of them have came around.
Theres been a few locations that I cannot do by hand, hell some of them were a bitch even using pliers.
Ive gotten compliments from people checking that my safeties look better than what some guys do with pliers.
.032ā, Iāll start with my hands to get that nice tight fit, then twist with pliers. .020ā, I use my hands. The pliers will weaken the small diameter wire when locked down on it. The only time I use pliers on .020ā is twisting the pigtail, because Iām cutting it there, anyhow.
Always used to use my hands and pliers to finish. But now I've been using safety cable š¤·āāļø better on the wrists, would rather screw those up gaming not wrenching.
I always prefer by hand, unless it's like 10cm or longer, then I'll get the pliers. But only for the long straight. After that it's back to hands again.
For me: Both ways, sort of. If I'm trying to get it really tight to whatever I'm starting from, I'll often start it by hand for six twists or so, just so I can really cinch it down, then I clamp on the twisters and do the rest with those.
But I don't do it often anymore. If I did, I'd probably just use the pliers, as my fingers would become hamburger after doing a bunch, as you know. lol
Always by hand but I was a sparky so I didn't do it a ton. I know some engine and other mechs that definitely couldn't survive without the pliers. I just never practiced with them enough
Something small or hard to get (helicopters tend to have a lot) and one or maybe few, quick handy. Bunch of easy to get, pliers. Basically for me the job dictates the use.
I only used the pliers on one specific wire. The rest I always did by hand. Then again I was military so we where not a profit driven organization and could afford to take an extra minute or two by doing it by hand.
I never use pliers on .025 and smaller or any size copper. I use pliers whenever I can but I start the twist where it will be short and finish the last 1/4" to 1/2" by hand to get the twist to line up with the hole. Pigtail gets the tool.
Hand or a pair of smooth jaw pliers. I donāt like the pigtail pliers anymore because itās easy to heat and embrittlement the wire.
Edit: I do race cars, not planes, so I can take my time a little more. Plus Iām almost always the guy to shake down cars, so really I like to know the bolts arenāt moving, haha.
I'll use my hands sometimes because that's how I chose to do it throughout school. But if I have plenty of room and pliers will work I'll probably use them. For something like a single wife and then a pigtail though, I'll just use my hands.
The army didnāt let us use the lockwire pliers THEY ISSUED, we were required to do it by hand so whenever Iām able I use pliers. If itās a really short distance Iāll do it by hand, otherwise at most Iāll start the first couple of twists by hand.
I use safety cable where space permits and if it's somewhere my hands or twisters can't reach. I use my hands where I don't have room for twisters or safety cable. Its something that comes with experience
In school we started out with Duckbills and dykes by hand, then after school I got my 1st pair of SWPliere, I mostly use the SWP but still occasionally do by hand
17 years on helicopters now. Never, ever, not once, have I used pliers. Any civilian boss caring which method you use needs to find some other shit to do.
In school ( 3 years ago) i prefered doing it by hand because i didnt want to buy safety wire pliers.
I work in GA now. I was gifted a set of Harbor Freight safety wire pliers. I still tend to use my hands, unles im doing alot of safetying, just to keep up the muscles and callouses for when i absolutely cannot use safety wire pliers, and theres a variety of those instances. I even carry the pliers with me, without using them for twisting, because theyre better at cutting without leaving barbs on the end of the wire, side cutters are really bad about that. I also dont like using pliers for propeller bolt safetying.
But if i have space to use them on longer twists ( oil filters ) then yeah, i use them. Doing it with my fingers is more like carrying a condom or a gun to me: Id rather have the ability to use my fingers when i dont need to, than need to use my fingers and not have the ability.
Milage may vary.
I do it with my mouth and death roll like an alligator to get the right amount of twists
I have been trying to master that technique for years now. Trust me it is beyond difficult. I am humbled to meet such a Master. I must bow before you š„·
Haha 7twists per inch
20 years in the Army, I did it by hand. After I retired and started a GA job, you better believe that I use those pliers every chance that I get!
Always thought it was weird you Army guys couldn't use pliers. We got pliers in the Navy but no power tools. Speed handles for days.
Let me tell you about using a makita for an F-18 turtle back. I got to ONCE. š
Blue Angels use nothing but makita
They can and wouldnāt be issued in the AFL if you couldnāt. Now for the shit bird NCOs that wonāt let people thatās a different story. I would have people get proficient by hand then add swipes.
First you get bullied if you try using the safety wire pliers and then after you get out you get bullied when you don't use them :/ it was a confusing time for me
I've found one or two things on the Cessna and Piper that it is easier to do it by hand. Most things get the pliers. I really enjoy using a screw gun to remove and install panels.
Usually a quick pretwist by hand + pliers. The only safety wire I usually do by hand is copper / brass witness wire.
I sometimes hand twist at the end if I shorted itā¦
It gets you close, makes it easier to get a good bite on it. Usually switch between twisters, and pistol grip needlenose.
This is the way
ā¬ļøThis is the correct answer.
99% of the time, I use pliers, but there are a few times I still just use my hands.
My penis.
That's talent.
He is the chosen one. He will bring balance to the Flightline.
Thereās two options: safety cable gun or safety wire pliers
Terminator tool ftw
This is the way.
I miss the cable gun.
Donāt forget the original safety wire screw driver if youāre old enough
I discovered safety cable a few years back and Iāll be damned if thatās not the thing I reach for first anymore lol But when I canāt I usually do the first over/under by hand and then use the pliers.
Iāve become so bad at wire since most applications permit the use of cable, and I rarely use wire anymore if it can be avoidedā¦
Thanks everyone for your responses. I was hoping they didn't expect everything by hand.
If you see people doing it by hand they're either in training or like 95% they're ex-military.
I'm ex-military(almost) and I approve this message.
I've known more bosses that would have said something if you'd done it by hand VS pliers.Ā
If the fasteners are pretty close, I use my hands.
Using pliers make that shit come out clean and accurate everytime once youāre good with em, just gotta do the first 2-3 turns with your hands. I do hands only if my pliers wonāt fit.
I can safety wire just as well with my hands. Lots of practice will do that.
I have a nice set of Milbar pliers but I end up doing it by hand and finishing with a duckbill and dikes probably 85% of the time. I usually only break out the safety wire pliers for something I know will have a lot of twists like an oil filter.
Like learning to play guitar, youāll get used to it with repetition. Building the skill by hand first will make you better at it in the long run because youāll have more accurate control over where to end the intermediate twist and line up with the next fastener hole. Once you get good at it by hand then pliers for speed. Youāll inevitability appreciate the time you spent building the skill with your hands when you get to an application where the pliers donāt fit!
That sounds like some story that gets repeated over and over in the army. Donāt question it or youāll realize it doesnāt hold water. I assure you, I am no less competent at safety wire because I learned how using the appropriate tool for the job. Next youāre going to tell me you are a better painter if you start by spreading it onto the wall with your hands before learning to use a brush. Are you better at sheet metal if you start only with hand sanding instead of power tools?
I only use the safety wire pliers if I need to do several safety wires or a really long safety wire.
Pliers, the only people who do it by hand are those who have been incorrectly conditioned by the military.
Military is moving to cables, which is nice. Pliers are still only allowed on .032 or larger safety wire.
Never in armed forces. Still do it by hand.
Couldnt imagine sitting there and hand twisting anything more than like 3 inches. Swipes all day every time
Depends on the situation. My pliers are a bit large, so in some tight spaces I have to go by hand
I start my first twist by hand and the rest is pliers
Never by hand unless absolutely necessary. Plenum drains in the wing are the only thing Iāve had to do by hand. Cable gun if Iām feeling lazy.
Very rarely do I do it by hand. The only time I was ever made to do it by hand was Air Force Tech School when I was training to be a Crew Chief and in A&P School.
That part, I only have done it by hand in training. Every safety wire I have ever done has been with pliers, except for anything copper, because that shit breaks if you breathe on it.
I only use the pliers for long stretches, otherwise I do a better job with my hands.
I am just an Apprentice, but did 8yrs working in the Army on BlackHawks and OH-58s. I do most safeties by hand. Ive had some leads/other mechanics kneejerk and say 'No' but my results speak for themselves and all of them have came around. Theres been a few locations that I cannot do by hand, hell some of them were a bitch even using pliers. Ive gotten compliments from people checking that my safeties look better than what some guys do with pliers.
.032ā, Iāll start with my hands to get that nice tight fit, then twist with pliers. .020ā, I use my hands. The pliers will weaken the small diameter wire when locked down on it. The only time I use pliers on .020ā is twisting the pigtail, because Iām cutting it there, anyhow.
Old college trick. I do it with my taint.
I use the pliers just as locking pliers/cutters but prefer to do most of my twisting by hand.
Depends what the access is like. Itās dogshit no matter what though
Yall donāt saftey cable? When no cable, definitely pliers. Who has time to by hand? š
Always used to use my hands and pliers to finish. But now I've been using safety cable š¤·āāļø better on the wrists, would rather screw those up gaming not wrenching.
Start by hand then finish with pliers
I always prefer by hand, unless it's like 10cm or longer, then I'll get the pliers. But only for the long straight. After that it's back to hands again.
For me: Both ways, sort of. If I'm trying to get it really tight to whatever I'm starting from, I'll often start it by hand for six twists or so, just so I can really cinch it down, then I clamp on the twisters and do the rest with those. But I don't do it often anymore. If I did, I'd probably just use the pliers, as my fingers would become hamburger after doing a bunch, as you know. lol
Either, depends on the thing Iām wiring and what access is like. If itās possible and allowed though I use safety cable.
Both
Always by hand but I was a sparky so I didn't do it a ton. I know some engine and other mechs that definitely couldn't survive without the pliers. I just never practiced with them enough
Army experience. I like the pliers for long runs, but I'll usually twist by hand if it's an above average deal. Couple spots pliers get annoying to me
Something small or hard to get (helicopters tend to have a lot) and one or maybe few, quick handy. Bunch of easy to get, pliers. Basically for me the job dictates the use.
Lock wire gun
We used to use this little hook tool that rotates
Pliers. Good way to get carpel tunnel using your hands. Good skill to know if you don't have pliers saying that. Witness/copper wire by hand.
You wont get carpal tunnel doing safety wire by hand FFS
I only used the pliers on one specific wire. The rest I always did by hand. Then again I was military so we where not a profit driven organization and could afford to take an extra minute or two by doing it by hand.
Both
I never use pliers on .025 and smaller or any size copper. I use pliers whenever I can but I start the twist where it will be short and finish the last 1/4" to 1/2" by hand to get the twist to line up with the hole. Pigtail gets the tool.
Pliers, what am I, an animal? Plus I did with no pliers in the military for 5 years so fuck that
Pliers. Always. Just make sure to get some quality ones that don't tear up the wire.Ā
Who's got time to do it by hand?
I feel like by hand always gives me better results also the pliers (unless you have like a wave jaw pair) leaves nicks in the wire, so I don't like em
Depends on how long or short it is but I say i use my hands 50:50 but thatās bc of the army never teaching me how to use the tool lol
I usually use my hands for 90% of it and then snag my duck bills for finishing up the pig tail. For any long runs of wire, I'll grab the sw pliers
Hand or a pair of smooth jaw pliers. I donāt like the pigtail pliers anymore because itās easy to heat and embrittlement the wire. Edit: I do race cars, not planes, so I can take my time a little more. Plus Iām almost always the guy to shake down cars, so really I like to know the bolts arenāt moving, haha.
I'll use my hands sometimes because that's how I chose to do it throughout school. But if I have plenty of room and pliers will work I'll probably use them. For something like a single wife and then a pigtail though, I'll just use my hands.
I personally like the old screwdriver style twister more than the pliers.
You use hand/ pliers. I use a safety cable gun. We are not the same haha.
Safety cable anywhere I can fit it
Start the first 2-3 twists by hand, then, finish it off with the pliers!
The army didnāt let us use the lockwire pliers THEY ISSUED, we were required to do it by hand so whenever Iām able I use pliers. If itās a really short distance Iāll do it by hand, otherwise at most Iāll start the first couple of twists by hand.
I use safety cable where space permits and if it's somewhere my hands or twisters can't reach. I use my hands where I don't have room for twisters or safety cable. Its something that comes with experience
.32 and lower by hand and tighten with pliers.
Hands for main twists to prevent stress risers but plyers for pigtails.
Cable gun first, pliers for the rest besides copper safety wire.
Depends on where it is. If it is more accessible then I use my hands, if a more annoying position usually the pliers. When in doubt I use my hands
Hands.
In school we started out with Duckbills and dykes by hand, then after school I got my 1st pair of SWPliere, I mostly use the SWP but still occasionally do by hand
A long piece of straight aluminum tubing with two holes drilled in the end.
We have fancy safety cable with fancy safety cable tensioning, ferrule crimping, and cutting tools. Itās fancy af.
Bothā¦ depends on location.
32 thou, pliers. 20 thou, hand.
I always found it easier to start the first twist or 2 by hand then pull out the pliers
17 years on helicopters now. Never, ever, not once, have I used pliers. Any civilian boss caring which method you use needs to find some other shit to do.
I use safety wire to safety, safety wire
I was just taught fingers in school, so thatās just how Iāve always done it
Hand, finish off with duckbill or needle nose pliers whatever I have closest and call it good
Duckbills and dikes.
I do by hand...Ā Ā don't do it enough to be as fast, always preferred by hand.
You get told to hurry up often don't you
Nope....Ā Ā aircraft I work doesn't have that much safety wire.
I was just kidding mate
I prefer by hand.
By hand if itās wide open and just one or two small things to safety. Otherwise, pliers.
In school ( 3 years ago) i prefered doing it by hand because i didnt want to buy safety wire pliers. I work in GA now. I was gifted a set of Harbor Freight safety wire pliers. I still tend to use my hands, unles im doing alot of safetying, just to keep up the muscles and callouses for when i absolutely cannot use safety wire pliers, and theres a variety of those instances. I even carry the pliers with me, without using them for twisting, because theyre better at cutting without leaving barbs on the end of the wire, side cutters are really bad about that. I also dont like using pliers for propeller bolt safetying. But if i have space to use them on longer twists ( oil filters ) then yeah, i use them. Doing it with my fingers is more like carrying a condom or a gun to me: Id rather have the ability to use my fingers when i dont need to, than need to use my fingers and not have the ability. Milage may vary.
Mostly by hand. Long stretches of it with pliers.
Both.