0
![Not allowed!](https://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](https://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/images/buttons/up_dis.png)
I've checked amazon.com, and it looks like you can spend anywhere from $10 to $150 on a set of safety wire pliers.
Does anybody have a suggestion for a set of pliers that aren't that expensive but wouldn't fall apart in 1 use?
I'm not a racer, so I won't be using them all the time under high-pressure situations. I just do some track days - I've borrowed some safety wires for some track-side fairing repairs, etc and to keep a go-pro from potentially going missing, but now I have a more important reason to get familiarized with safety wire. The motard I just bought is all safety wired up, so I figure I should have the tools to put the wire back on if I need to work on something.
Some follow-up questions -
What size pliers - or do I need more than one size?
What size wire do most people use (I have a spool of 0.032", I'm hoping that will work but I can buy more if this isn't a good size)?
From the intro to roadracing book they give you at Penguin, I know to be 100% in-spec you're supposed to make some twists to the left, some to the right. Is this important, or can you get by just twisting one way? If it's important - Is it better to get reversible pliers? Could be wrong, but looks like it might be cheaper to get 2 different pliers that twist different ways?
Harbor freight sells a couple different pairs. I have the 9" pair. They work well.
I see no need for more than one pair.
I use whatever HF sells for "mechanics wire" for safety wire. It also works, so far.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
Thanks for the replies.
Sounds like I'll be good with the wire I've got - I actually ordered a set about a month ago 6" and 9" pair both for $14.49. Got the package and the 6" pliers were missing - the box was inside the envelope like they had slipped out in the fulfillment process and nobody noticed. Had to sent the whole thing back b/c Amazon wouldn't just send the 6" pliers.
They didn't feel like something that would become a family heirloom but I just wanted to check here first to make sure cheap pliers wouldn't get me into trouble (i.e. do something to make the wire weaker).
Prolly just order the same thing again b/c one set of pliers is ~ $10 so why not get an extra pair in case the first one breaks?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mine grip the wire too tight and knurl it. The wire often breaks at the knurl when trying to twist off the end and I have to redo the whole thing. Kind of a pain in the ass, but for the price, I deal.
I'm sure real tools don't do this.
I've had the Robinson twisters for about 40 years. So far, so good. For wire sizes, I use .020, .025, and .032.
And don't believe everything you think.
Cliff's Cycles KTM
NETRA enduro B-vet
Close your eyes, look deep in your soul, step outside yourself and let your mind go.
I'm of the buy good pliers camp because I have seen people struggle with the elcheapos.
I have a set of Milbar and they are wonderful to use. They are not cheap but......
http://www.crawfordtool.com/Milbar_25W.html
![]()
LRRS/CCS Expert #820 / RSP Racing / Woodcraft / MTAG Pirelli / Dyno Solutions / Tony's Track Days / Sport Bike Track Gear / GMD Computrack /
I went cheap for these. But in a different way. I kept hearing about how a good pair would last forever. I decided to test the theory. I found a couple of "vintage" wire pliers on Fleabay for $30. Bought them. Only markings on them is a capital "M".
So far they've worked well. They aren't reversible. They aren't auto returning. I suck enough at drilling that it doesn't really matter.
Ok, so sounds like there is some value to getting decent wire twisters.
I just cancelled the amazon order for "el cheapos" and put in a fleabay bid on some blue points. Might feel different if I had a track day looming but this is one of those things I've got all winter to snag on ebay on the cheap :-)
here's a recent thread about the better ones, with some pros and cons http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/threads/77200-Sick-of-my-crappy-Safety-Wire-Pliers-Just-ordered-new-ones
'02 SV650 street|woods|race LRRS #128
MSR ones with the free spool of wire............WORTH $$$$ All day long
LRRS EX 66
BostonMoto | Yoshimura | GoPro | K/N | Amsoil | Computrack | Vortex Sprockets |
EBC | Dunlop | Woodcraft | ArmourBodies | Fuel Clothing | Progrip | FmF Racing|
factoryeffex
I just bought mine from my local MC shop. 35 bucks or so. They work perfectly every time and I can't see spending more than that on them. I have 6 and 9 in ones. Always use the 9" They don't feel as cheap as the HF/chinese ones, but are no where near the bling of the expensive ones. unknown brand.
Just won these babies off of ebay for ~29 bucks. They're made by blue point and go for ~$127 new. Don't know too much about them, but the knob and handles don't look as flimsy like the cheaper ones I bought off of amazon.
That carpet in the background must be at least 30 years old....so if that guy can keep it from falling apart he must know how to take care of stuff.
![]()
Nice! Those should be good!
-Christian LRRS/CCS HasBeen ECK Racing
2011 Pit Bike Race CHAMPION!
I have a pair of less expensive Motion Pro pliers and they've never failed me. Last winter, I jumped on the bandwagon and grabbed a pair is Milbar pliers for $75. It doesn't matter how I lock them, every other piece of wire that I twist, the pliers unlock and spring open when you don't go slowly wit the pliers. It's annoying. So, guess which pair I use most often?
I love my Milbar set. I haven't used any of them yet...but I still love them all the same.
-Christian LRRS/CCS HasBeen ECK Racing
2011 Pit Bike Race CHAMPION!
Love my 9" Milbar 26W's..... but they're pricey. Bought em cuz I was tired of my generic's getting dull & rusty. I seem to take better care of stuff when it costs me more if I don't.
Got em from http://www.crawfordtool.com/ and was really happy with their prices, shipping & service.
Last edited by OreoGaborio; 10-28-13 at 05:26 PM.
-Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media
The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650
I have the Milbar 1W393 http://www.crawfordtool.com/Milbar_1W393.html and they are great. I do like the one Pete got though, not sure if I need to change the direction of the twist, but I like the fact that I could if I wanted to. And my Milbar is the only one I ever bought, was warned of the cheapies before hand.
Last edited by PinHead; 10-28-13 at 06:13 PM.
2018 Harley Road Glide
2000 Ducati 900ss
2003 Harley Softail Deuce
Resurrecting this thread for a question - why 9" vs. 6" pliers?
Those are quite pricey....I had mentally prepared myself for ~$80 (the 6" are ~$85) but those 9" pliers are around $105.
Setting aside my being a cheapskate, I would guess the advantage of having a slightly smaller set of pliers for cramped spaces would be more important than the advantages of larger pliers (I'm assuming more torque?)
"Where are we going?...and why am I in this handbasket?"
LRRS 919
'12 Ducati 1199 Panigale (track) '08 Honda CRF 250 (ice) '02 KTM 520 SX Supermoto (track)