Adam Savage's Favorite Tools: Safety Wire Pliers

Wire Twist Pliers: amzn.to/2Ff0uRm
Adam loves discovering new tools by watching other craftspeople at work, even if there aren't immediate projects or tasks in need of that tool. Having a unique tool like a pair of wire twisting pliers isn't about having it handy all the time, but it's part of understanding how things are put together in the world. In this case, the twisted safety wires you may find holding screws in place under aircraft or military hardware. Here's how those are made!
Shot by Adam Savage
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[@tested]

Wire Twist Pliers: amzn.to/2Ff0uRm Examples of twisted safety wire: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_wire

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

I NEED one of these for making copper and silver jewelry! Thank you SO MUCH for this tip! Twisting wires consistently is a nightmare, this makes it look SO easy!😂❤

[@dannymac6368]

Also very common in motor sports, both automobile and motorcycle racing!

[@Sondre1323]

Safe-T-Cable is a very helpful tool to do the same job. Easier to work with in tight spaces! www.dmctools.com/products/safe-t-cable/

[@spakeo]

I use them everyday we call them swps or safety wire pliers

[@bloodglitch100]

They also make sets that twist in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. This is required for MIL spec safety wire training.

[@aMaff]

These are called safety wire pliers. The aviation ones also have silicone pads opposite the cutters so that when you snip the ends off the wires, the cut ends are held by the pads and don't go flying into your million dollar engine. They're also used in motorsports on certain critical parts. I have a set to safety wire brake and steering components on my kids racing kart, for example

[@fluffytashi]

Yeah, very common on motorsports. Also only ever heard them called safety wire pliers, for safety wiring (not wire twisting)

[@MichaelLoflin]

The silicone must be a newer thing, I was in Naval Aviation for a decade and never saw that. You just had to make well sure you traped the ends you were cutting off so you didn't have to go looking for them.

[@ericmaxwell424]

Except most of the time the Air Force removes that silicone claiming it's a "FOD hazard".

[@SpAm-AcCoUnT]

The only other name I’ve heard is Lockwire pliers, but safety wire seems more common.

[@wnwt]

first time you work on a skydrol hydraulic systems those pads are gone, I never saw a pad last more an a couple month in an active hanger.

[@glennkoenig6078]

I used these when I used to work on the Integrated Electronics Assembly in the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters. The amount of twist was specified in the assembly drawings and was measured by twists per inch.

[@gorporpio]

Wow. Details ...

[@dananderson1264]

As a former B52 electrian I can confirm that there is a twist per inch requirement

[@jessegrubb7305]

Couldve really used that when i was resealing my bagged loaf of bread this morning

[@azimpetra]

Hahahaha..

[@catatonicbug7522]

I toss the twist ties the first time I remove them and swap them out for the plastic bread clips. So much easier!

[@watdatdoo]

They have a product it's a steel cable twisting gun for rebars that would be encased in concrete. few hundred bucks but a super secure industrial grade seal for your bread.

[@fraomedinaii2095]

@@catatonicbug7522 I just tie a knot

[@w00derice]

Twist .. twist .. twist .. twist .. twist, bread being squished .. *bag pops!* “Perfecto!”

[@deltakilojuliet]

I use this instead of zip ties outdoors where UV breakdown could be an issue. Super easy and will last much longer!

[@beanc2982]

Holy cow, thanks for that idea. There's very few times I want to use zip ties but it's the only thing around, safety wire would be much better longevity and reusability wise.

[@narcoleptic8982]

UV rated ty-raps are a thing

[@thomasdickson35]

@@beanc2982 Just for the sake of knowing they're out there, you can find stainless steel zip ties as well.

[@georgecroney6168]

@@thomasdickson35 no way, that's radical

[@RE4SHADOW]

I wanted to buy these pliers but I needed a better excuse in my head then, "I'll find a reason for them later." This is the reason to push me over. Thanks, I'm purchasing them today.

[@keenan1455]

We always called them "lock-wire pliers" while I was in the navy. (Submarines not aircraft)

[@Linuxpunk81]

I hated when I was on boats that had lockwired shut valves in shaft alley for divers tags,

[@pdczrwnskz]

Yeah same when I was Army. It was an automatic Article 15 if you cut them off without the armourers permission. They usually held our ACOGs and M68s on and any other sensitive item on our weapons and weapon systems.

[@timat6656]

Airforce calls them safety wire pliers, hate em

[@pdczrwnskz]

I only knew about these pliers after joining the army but now I use them to hold things in place when I put signs up

[@matthewramstad867]

Aircraft carrier ENG dep, we also called them lockwire pliers

[@biggaywizard]

I've used these on race motorcycles and race bicycles for years, especially on brake bolts, oil and coolant bolts, etc. They are invaluable.

[@roostin]

Yep I raced motocross for years and now race cars and use them all the time since I was a kid🤣

[@totoro6215]

yup, entire family races oldtimer motorcycles as a hobby, and these pliers are just invaluable to secure screws and stuff.

[@benwood04]

Any motorcycle really.

[@PuddingASMR]

I used these daily when I was in the military hahah I worked on F-16s and am still haunted by some of the day to day equipment even after I got out 😂😂😂

[@idkflycasualtoo]

Need you to go safety wire the hockey sticks on the gun

[@umpire8025]

Used it on the submarine many times.

[@anomaly983]

I was a b52 engine journeyman i know vets can give a masters course on safety wire. Lol

[@Operation8Bit]

Me and you Pudding.. F16's on a regular basis... TJ Spain and HAFB Utah :-)

[@MrSirwolf2001]

OV-1 Mohawk crewchief here and I still have a set. I recently introduced my wife to them (as well as a roll of .32 safety wire) for a craft project that she was doing that used a lot of twisted wire. I showed her how they work and her eyes lit up. They are now one of her favorite tools.

[@donnaconstance6667]

I work for a Jewelry Supplier who sells these and send this video to them any time they ask for a video on how to use them. Thank you Adam!!!!! Great Tutorial!

[@RonMilesLokheed]

Safety Wire Pliers. It's been thirty years since I touched any, during my time as a 68B Aircraft Powerplant Repairer in the army. What I think you forgot to mention is that the wire is always run between two screws, so that neither can turn. I.E. - if one screw tries to vibrate loose its rotation will inherently pull the other tighter, and vice versa. There is a real artistry to tying safety wire, and mad props to the Turbine Surgeons who do it every day.

[@pablogonzalez8304]

It's a skill that can't afford sloppiness

[@RonMilesLokheed]

@@pablogonzalez8304 Too right. I have mad respect for the technicians who keep aircraft in the air. During my tour of duty I always kept firmly in mind that what I was doing was quite literally life or death.

[@kaysb80]

I was wondering about this! The wire itself would not stop the screws from getting loose, but the wire would stop the screws getting completely loose, even in a environment with a lot of vibrations. A loose screw in a jet engine canæt be good!

[@akda5id]

Yes, you need at least two bolts in the chain for it to work, and you also have to pay attention to which 'side' of the bolt you are coming off of, so that both sides get 'pulled' tighter. See this excellent video by jet engine tech AgentJayZ: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haipm4iOa7iUj5o. That is the section where he describes the order, but skip back to the start if you want to hear all the nerdy details he has to offer.

[@jozetkrekel7625]

‘Turbine surgeons’ wow! My nee favorite word.

[@thegavinhorn1191]

I have been watching Adam on MythBusters since 2011 when I was 6 and even though I started watching it late, I still watched every episode. He is awesome and has inspired me in so many ways. My dream came true and my whole life changed when I saw him in person in Akron, Ohio on Brain Candy. I just have to say Thank You Adam for everything. You may not have known it, but you have been a big part of my life for a long time.

[@Beardo2517]

My dad has had a set of these for like 40 years and I always used to love playing with them when I was a kid

[@codythompson1415]

I'm currently serving in the Australian Army as an aircraft technician on some of our choppers and those lockwire pliers are used on just about every mechanical and electrical system within the aircraft. If it doesn't have some form of locknut, it's either got a split pin or a lockwire to secure itself.

[@dwm5150]

Thank you for your bravery, sacrifices, and your service. From one aviator to another.

[@jbkgjbkg]

"You can't utilize a solution if you don't know that it exists" That's what I'm gonna say to my girl when she says I buy to many tools.

[@behemothinferno]

I see what you're trying to say but your logic is flawed because by purchasing a tool, you would be aware of its existence and its purpose so that trick wont work unless she's a dummy of course.

[@notchs0son]

@@behemothinferno nah his logic is flawless. If you have a problem and you don’t have the solution you won’t know it exist. If you account for ALL problems you will be able to utilize every solution.

[@bryanlausten8371]

Safety wire pliers, used them almost daily during my Air Force career. I twisted those screws and bolts you spoke of. Lol

[@alexmiller5199]

I use em daily too. USMC Helicopter mech

[@bryanlausten8371]

@@alexmiller5199 I worked on the Heavies, C-130,141, and 5, kc-135, kc-10 and Uh1, HH3 and 53. Worked along side many Marines...... Semper Fi Brother!

[@joshuameyer5749]

@@gimmeaford9454 you know know you’ve perfected the art of safety wire when you’ve become proficient at the ol’ 7-level twist to bring the start of the twist to meet the screw.

[@juicyfe]

@@gimmeaford9454 Don't worry, it hasn't changed. Reserve FE.

[@SuddenlyCapricious]

These are truly helpful! My old man was an aerospace guy, and I think he got most of his use of these in attempts to fix a particularly beat up section of fence that he was trying to convince my mom didn't need replacing.

[@iamfrancisrice]

I was a Chinook mechanic in the Army and I loved these. In AIT we weren't allowed to use them. We were forced to do lockwire with needle nose pliers and similar tools because they wanted us to learn the "manual" way, but at the unit they were ubiquitous and included in every issued aviation toolbox.

[@harrygarry2637]

I was a Blackhawk mechanic. We had these in our toolboxes but weren't allowed to use them haha. They made us do it by hand unfortunately =/

[@Swampyankeehomestead]

Went to AIT with my A&P. Been there done that. Ended up teaching kids how to saftywire. Sgt only had one problem with me. Didn't trust T.O.s my background at the time was General aviation where most tech data basically said "there's the plane, fix it."

[@davidp2888]

Once again, Adam talks about a tool I don't have, don't really need but desperately want.

[@beaker2k]

You can get the cheapo set at harbor freight for less than $15

[@philschopshop4591]

@@beaker2k No! There not the best out there. Get aviation tools!

[@nunezfam432]

@@philschopshop4591 it’s the same shit. I think I like the harbor freight ones better then the set the military made me use. Used the military ones regularly, especially on deployment.

[@philschopshop4591]

@@nunezfam432 Do you work on planes?

[@jckatz]

@@nunezfam432 thank you for your service... I'm sure the army ones might not have been better, but I'm sure they cost a lot more. 😉

[@handsarecats]

I think Adam will be happy to know that these are used exhaustively on space hardware, even to this day. Just have to be careful nipping the wires with the wire twisters, because they leave some razor sharp edges

[@tested]

Awesome!

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

Right? In my A&P tech school it's understood that you WILL eventually cut or stab yourself while trying to safety wire something. (Luckily it's not exactly dangerous).

[@pondafarr]

And that is where the "pig tail" comes into play, you snip it about 1/2"-3/4" from the fastener, and bend the tail into a loop to keep the sharp end close to the fastener. makes it much safer.

[@patricklaqua5590]

My co-workers dad is an aircraft mechanic and he mentioned these pliers to me when I was brainstorming about a mechanical design problem. After briefly looking up what he was talking about, I was in awe. I immediately ordered one. I've since bought 2 and am constantly looking for more reasons to use it or build upon the design. I love doing a "show and tell" with these pliers. Great share.

[@rachel.the.riveter]

2 years ago I saw this. it stuck in my brain. I'm working on a really cool book nook and need to make a very beautiful twisted wire mini bonsai tree. So what did I do - grabbed a pair of these and this gives me so much more confidence that I can do this even with my horrible horrible arthritis. You have helped me more than I can tell you Mr. Savage. Thank you.

[@GunganWorks]

Safety wire pliers are such a time saver when working on aircraft. I’ve done some safety wire by hand, and it takes ages compared to these pliers. 10/10 A must-have tool.

[@jonmoore8261]

Not to mention a savior on your hands

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

@@jonmoore8261 To an extent. I've certainly managed to still attack my hands when using safety wire pliers

[@brianwaskow5910]

In the Air Force we learned how to safety wire by hand then they introduced us to safety wire pliers. Remember to bend over the tails, I have a few scars from working on aircraft.

[@maglen69]

"Bend over the tails: Also commonly known as a "Pigtail". Lots of pokes from not doing that.

[@mwhyte1979]

Loved my safety wire pliers and yea I've gotten nasty safety wire bites from pigtails.

[@PaulScott_]

Yes, same here, learned to do it by hand as a tech because there are some finicky little spots that are so restricted that you can't use the pliers. This was especially true with the very fine (don't remember the thou?) red safety witness wire for weapons switches.

[@jamespollock2500]

And squeeze that end CLOSED! Was working on a gas turbine engine checking the main fuel control and linkages. Someone didn't close the end, it hooked me through the web between thumb and pointer finger. Couldn't reach it with wire cutters so had to pull hand out tearing web.

[@PaulScott_]

@@jamespollock2500 Perfect pigtail required or a smack in the back of the head by the instructor! Gentle one but instructed to do so for the very reason you stated. Run your own fingers over the pigtail and if it didn't catch your skin it was good to go.

[@bitterbuick]

My dude... The blisters I've given myself with those have never diminished my love for them. My safety wire was my art and it makes me so happy you share this excitement.

[@WoWhistorian]

How did you give yourself blisters with these?

[@willamidon815]

@@WoWhistorian that catch on the arm to lock the swaps closed will get your ring finger guaranteed

[@WoWhistorian]

@@willamidon815 Ohhh, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification!

[@anthonyfulmer207]

I'm actually in school rn for fixing drones for the Army and we just learned to use safety wire last week lol. Funny finding this

[@jmc042]

Do you ever have moral qualms or are you just happy to have a job. no judgement either way

[@mauriciogonzalez9000]

91Fs uses these religiously too

[@0baddawa0]

Used these a ton in the Infantry.

[@smellycat249]

Replace the bombs with candy

[@SpunkMayo]

@@jmc042 it's a career, bro, if they don't do it someone else will.

[@andrewparham7333]

As an F15 crew chief can confirm Adam is right. There is an art to really good looking tight safety wire.

[@dustydarkhorse]

Amphibious Assault Vehicle mechanic here, I can't tell you how many times my hands went flying into a panel/driveshaft because I over twisted the wire

[@shihabhossain6584]

Apparently everyone in the comments used them a lot to work on aircrafts.

[@TheDrMonocle]

Sure do. Required to secure most bolts with them and once you do it by hand a few times you buy the pliers as fast as possible.

[@tomdebruyn5731]

Nope, I use them to bind together rebar in construction

[@bbo40]

Worked in a shop that built valves and piping for the poly chemical industry. Used these to attach metal safety tags.

[@torquilh]

Tanks and other ground vehicles also used these :-D

[@FriedHam]

Not my self, but most of motorsport also require certain parts on the vehicle to be wired, so they don't fly off the vehicle under circumstances like hitting bumps, crashes, or simply abused by the driver.

[@mikeeybass]

Hello Adam. Long time fan. I am retired Army and they are lacing wire pliers. Used them all the time on my M1A1 Abrams Tank. Never thought I would ever see them again.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

I started working on aircraft in 1983, these, as we call them Locking Wire Plyers were awesome. They save time and make a neat job. Love em.

[@johnbeauvais3159]

I had the good fortune of being able to work at a place that flies P-51s almost daily and the mechanics there are true artists and can make safety wired connections absolutely perfectly in less time than it takes to read this, truly amazing to witness them working.

[@Memento75]

They are also used in the fabrication of reinforced concrete cages

[@UranusGaseous]

I worked on F18s in the Corps.. Safety wire pliers, screwdriver, and a scribe is practically everything you need to get 99% of all the little things fixed.

[@justindirgxp7451]

My dad q was an aircraft mechanic in the 90’s. He recently showed me you to use these while installing a steering box on our off road car. Thought it was awesome seeing you talk about them because I fascinated with them too.

[@MountainBoy99]

These are what I used to safety wire just about everything on the F-16 back in the day.

[@smartah0]

This video has been a godsend. I just started assembling aircraft carburetors at the job I'm working at and the boss there has made me hand twist all the wires since he doesn't know how to use safety wire pliers and has been doing everything by hand for like 10 years. We have a couple pairs there but I didn't know how to use them. Never thought the tutorial I needed for them would be from an Adam Savage video.

[@MotoDeSoto]

Torqueage. Not in the dictionary. I looked. Total Savagism. Savage Savagism. Luv it.

[@SgtToastieYT]

"safety wire pliers" very common in tool boxes around flight lines. Neat to see it being used outside the military.

[@thezodiakturtleman]

Race tracks require a lot of things safety wired on race bikes. Most of the race tech mechanics I have talked to have a pair.

[@MarkWallaceVideos]

Here's a video showing these in use for jet engines: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haipm4iOa7iUj5o

[@JustinCase-ng4zz]

Uh-60 BLACKHAWK helicopter mechanic! I have used this tool since 1999! Great tool to have in your toolbox!

[@PaulHenryHusband]

These bring back memories. I was an Aircraft Engineer (Avionics) in the RAF. Used these quite a lot during my time. We knew them as Wire licking Pliers.

[@noah-mac]

I'm an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and I use this exact tool everyday! (We call them Lock Wire Pliers here in Australia?) I've also used them for repairing a wire fence and hanging staging curtains

[@michaelgermany6923]

They are called Safety Wire Pliers. I am a second class petty officer USN. I used them all the time in the NAVY.

[@jacksongreenaway6986]

My dad past away when I was 9, he was an Aircraft engineer and pilot. I inherited his toolbox and found this tool but had no idea what it was! I totally thought it was some tool he made up as he's got so many rigged tools in his tool box. Amazing! Thanks Adam!

[@theangrywhitemanspeaks8445]

I see my fellow vets of the Air Force, and Navy representing quite proudly! Well, us of the Armament persuasion in the Army know all too well the benefits of Safety Wire pliers as well!

[@shanelambert314]

We actually use these things all the time in karting for twisting safety wire. Very useful as we use a lot of safety wire; I actually have that exact same pair of pliers in my tool cart.

[@MusketTheCat]

In the navy, we call them Lockwire Pliers. There are some places I hated using them.

[@unionjack2819]

Hi Adam, I'm in England and I used these pliers on my 1971 Bedford CF coal lorry subframe bolts. It is a fantastic tool for making consistent locking wire twisting. It has caught the eye of a few show judges and certainly adds 'points' in concours classes.

[@beanywolvesaj3383]

This is so cool. I recognized them right away from my dad's tools but never knew what they were, and never asked. He's a retired aircraft mechanic so there u go 😊

[@jcox8418]

I worked on AH-64D Apaches for years in the Army and I can tell you these were around, but never used. The point of lock wire is to be very tight and secure. These pliers do a fast, but ultimately sloppy job. The padding on the jaws will scrap off over time and the jaws will start to gouge the wire. Also it is hard to get the wire the exact length you need with this tool. I could see the value of using this on an unusually long run of twists, but that was very rare for my applications. It does not take very long to do lock wire well by hand usually. I actually found pride in doing a really nice looking job. Like Adam said in the video, it is extremely important that the lock wire hold the screws secure with no ability to work themselves loose during flight. They are a cool tool though and I can see the advantage for applications that value speed and ease over accuracy, like the armature construction Adam mentioned.

[@kavonnthomas2491]

"do you sit there with a pair a pliers?" No, we do it by hand the majority of the time

[@immanuelpaulmoses7890]

Can't tell you how much blood I've spilled from lock wire

[@glenleonard7610]

@@immanuelpaulmoses7890 I put a piece through my thumb on very cold morning doing a B52G anti skid hubcap because I wound it too tight, tugged to hard, it broke and the inch and half piece sticking out of the top of the pliers cut end looked like a needle tip sticking out of the middle of my thumb nail lol

[@heydannypark]

@@glenleonard7610 Dude....please. Stop.

[@Matt_10203]

Never done it by hand. Not really much point if you can fit pliers

[@pondafarr]

@@glenleonard7610 B52H's myself, lots and lots of wire...and more than a couple thru the web of my thumb LOL

[@woodandwheelz]

I have a pair of those from when I was in the Navy. Everyone who sees them is so fascinated. You are the only other person I've seen with a pair of these Safety Wire plyers. Very cool. And I see comments below of others who have them as well. Thank you for the video.

[@logandewolfe2851]

I am in the navy as a aircraft electrician and use these all the time. this made my day seeing that Adam knows about these!

[@jimmykang7616]

Adam Savage: "new tool! Pliers...!" Me: "wait tell me about the hip pouch!"

[@chrismorris1304]

Thanks to my instructors from years ago, every time I use safety/lock wire, Daft Punk’s “Around the World” is stuck in my head for the next hour😆

[@DavidAllenFromPlymouth]

My father was an aviation mechanic and this was always my favorite of his tools!

[@bradleyroush5112]

Lockwire pliers. We used these in the Navy all the time. I work for Public Works now in NC and my coworkers had no Idead about these and I brought it to their attention and we came across a job we needed them for locking a bolt in place on a digester mixer. We used to use them in the Navy to lock out big valves to keep them from being operated. Love my lockwire pliers. Have them in my personal collection as well as my work collection.

[@ryoukosama9888]

Hope you are having a great vacation Adam!

[@R4N6ER]

can confirm, prior us navy f-18 avionics mechanic. safety wire pliers are rad, i always enjoyed doing the safety wire jobs on RF connectors for the radar stuff.

[@alantaylor3281]

Olevel? I level? Depot? AIMD Tomcats back in the day here had my safety wire pliers for 30 years now

[@R4N6ER]

@@alantaylor3281 o-level flight deck AT with vfa143, went on the back to back deployments with cvn-69 2009+2010. 🤘

[@nicominces4713]

Dear Adam, as e former helicopter and airplane mechanic I really like this video. I used to use this tool a lot and also to make beautiful things for my gf. And today as a engineering student can't wait to buy one for myself. I think its a must have tool for any maker

[@songofnaturemedia]

What I find most impressive is how clean and evenly twisted they come out. I've been twisting wires for stop motion for years, and they've never looked that good!

[@thomasaltruda]

Adam, go watch “Agen Jay Z” also known as “Jet Tech” and his “Lock Wire” videos. Also looks like you have .041 wire.. try some .032 instead. Much easier to use.

[@tubehellcat]

Was about to say the very same thing :) Highly recommend the videos of AgentJayZ, he has some amazing "how does it work, how to properly do it" ones.

[@it4776]

UK aviation - I've always known of them as Wire Locking Pliers

[@iaindouglas5053]

yeah we called them lockwire pliers.

[@glenleonard7610]

Lock wire or safety wire pliers

[@pondafarr]

Spent 21 years in the USAF using these, love them! There are some subtle techniques to make the twists "perfect"

[@pondafarr]

Used mostly .020 and .030 stainless steel wire for securing bolts and electrical connecters

[@gumpster6]

Like others in the comments, I used these hundreds of times during my days in the military. It is definitely a skill that takes some practice to learn but I enjoyed it once I had it mastered. Some years after I left the military I hunted down a pair as I found uses for them in civilian life. Good to see Adam taking an interest in these and sharing it with the viewers.

[@ScorpionRegent]

Adam - Great video. Thank you for revealing safety wire pliers to the masses. Aside from their designed purpose they are useful as improvised mini vise. There is a scientific aspect of safety wire pliers. Twisting wire is a form of cold hardening that makes the wire more brittle, but harder. So if it feels too malleable coming out of the spool that will change. Safety wire pliers aren't required to twist wire they are just so useful to have. I found you can McGyver wire twisting by locking a screw-hook in a the chuck of a drill and use that to do the twisting for you. I think I learned that from watching Russian DIY videos. No language required, the ingenuity speaks for itself with those guys. I'm curious what your take is on the wire clamp making tools that can create hose clamps and so much more out of safety wire. There is the Clamptite that you can buy, but the DIY knock off are easy enough to make. They are just as useful as safety wire pliers and are just one more reason a spool of stainless steel wire is better than zip ties in a automotive break down kit. FYI the nuts that are designed for safety wire or cotter pins are called "castellated nuts" as they resemble the battlements of a castle. Thanks again.

[@del4965]

The funny thing about this tool tip is I thought everyone knew about those pliers but I grew up with my dad working on airplanes all my life.

[@smashyrashy]

I work on airplanes and didnt know what they were until i started working on them

[@kfossa344]

Wait you’re telling me not everyone knows about this specialized tool I use in this highly specialized field of work? Oh man that’s funny.

[@hannaheggert8269]

Same here, I thought everyone had one in their shop even if it wasn't an airplane shop.

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

I feel that. Now I have my own pair that I used through my A&P school

[@smashyrashy]

@@kfossa344 really? cus i can't find the funny

[@petepeters4789]

I became a pro using these pliers while I was in the USAF, I'm glad you like them Adam.

[@curtismmichaels]

You brought back memories. I was an instrument tech in the Air Force in the early 80's. We used these daily. I always wanted a pair, and when a friend gave me her father's old pair I realized I'd never use it. Still, they're a cool tool.

[@JLneonhug]

Motorcross bikers use these for their steering column also. In my head its another version of cable ties :) it slots inbetween metal and plastic cable ties as a utility tool...

[@twinegarner]

Many competition vehicles will also use them on the oil drain bolt - so the bolt can't back out and dump the contents of the oil pan all over the racetrack. Proper safety wire application is generally a part of tech inspection.

[@catatonicbug7522]

The most problematic phrase for the large "collections" in my garage: "Someday, I will need this!"

[@billtabb8755]

I'm a zoo keeper and we use twisted wire to hold things together. Much more secure and longer lasting than the evil zip tie. I've always used a good pair of lineman pliers for the job. I must possess this tool!

[@prettyflyforaknifeguy]

I found a pair of these pliers in my grandpas garage and had no idea how to use them. I'm glad you have a video on them! By the way, my grandpa was in a U.S. Airforce mechanic. This explains why he has them too. Thanks!

[@MrHalokiller93]

WOW! I can use this tool for jewelry making .

[@CatalinaThePirate]

😃 Yes, that was my thought, too! 😏

[@CatalinaThePirate]

In looking at them a bit closer, I find my cordless Dremel and a judiciously selected bit and speed will twist wire the way I need it. 😁

[@Gundam08thMSteam]

I also learned about a lot of tools I didn't know about on youtube

[@TheNuggetshooter]

I have had mine for many years. Use it on my ultralight aircraft, attaching things together where you need to hide super thin wire, etc. One of the most useful tools ever!

[@dzjc01]

Wow. Brings back tons of memories. Was an AE in Navy had to use these all the time when working on jet aircraft. The goal is that if one bolt/nut starts to loosen, the adjacent bolt/nut it's safety-wired to, will force it to increase the tension as it tries to work it's way loose. Spent hours in A-School trying to perfect this technique.

[@alexk4709]

"If you've ever taken apart a piece of military equipment" well I can't say that I have but

[@SpunkMayo]

Really not that uncommon.

[@EvanBlueVids]

"These are used in aircraft manufacturing a ton" Me, an aircraft mechanic: And aircraft maintenance!

[@timothyl.cunningham6309]

I was thinking the same thing lol.

[@johnbeaman9570]

It seems like 50% of the comments are from A&Ps. I don't know why this appeared on my recommendation list

[@shadowopsairman1583]

Sometimes cable locks are used instead.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

@@johnbeaman9570 used em in the AF, funny now im soon to have the AP License

[@printerror]

Adam, we use those exact pliers to safety wire every major suspension bolt on our TransAm racecar. We even have special jigs for drilling the wire holes in those bolts. They've saved us countless times as EVERYTHING on these cars comes loose, and some good ole safety wire keeps the car held together. We've even used them in a pinch to safety wire up a broken exhaust that we didn't have time to weld back together minutes before a race. It held beautifully! Enjoy those. They're priceless!

[@philipbohi983]

When I started roadracing motorcycles, we had to safety wire everything. I did about 5 bolts with cheap drill bits from Northern or Big Lots and basic linesman pliers...then screamed in frustration. Those safety-wire pliers and quality drill bits were life changing. Every once in a while I find a reason to use them and get so giddy.

[@xpndblhero5170]

Adam: "That is a BEAUTIFUL twisted wire¡!" Me: "It is...... It really is. 😢 The symmetry is spot on¡!" 🤔😳😖

[@twonee]

Hey Adam got one up on you. There are reversible lock wire pliers. These are used when multiple bolts are lock wired together alternating between left and right hand twist. Why? no idea just the way I was instructed.

[@stevestrohacker8436]

Thats my next replacement set. Had them for building the AH-64 Apache Throttle Control I built. Couldn't find the reversible set at the time I needed them at home. Broke those so the search is on.

[@lexus4tw]

That why you basically secure the bolts with each other, bolts tend to losen if wire a left and a right handed bolt together the lose in opposite direction and lock each other

[@natepeterson4253]

I've experimented with non-reversible pliers in that situation, and the wire simply doesn't get as tight.

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

Weird, I've never seen a use where the twist direction matters, since it's usually about where the wire is secured or what direction you bend it from the piece you're safety-ing

[@piperpa4272]

It makes it easier to get the twist tight at the start, and to prevent the wire going round the head of the bolt from creeping up over it.

[@misstaja1976]

Thank you I been owning these twisters for at least 10 years and you helped me with the metal piece in the middle thank you again

[@arnehermann3417]

I bought one of these back in the mid 80's from a local Airplane Supply store (yep, everything you need for your airplane). Still have it and still use it and love it.

[@andrewchapman2039]

Now I'm curious if anyone on the ISS watches Tested.

[@DarkParacord]

Adam: Greetings Earthlings! Me: As a Martian, I feel excluded 😂

[@chrisfoster9080]

Would have been much more pc if he had said Greetings Universians.

[@Awkwardkid123]

Hi Adam, I am an Instructor in the Air Force. I teach students how to become a Crew Chief on the F-16. It is an extremely fulfilling job. Teaching students how to properly use tools makes everyday life so much simpler for everyone involved. If you are ever in the area, let me know, maybe we can get you around these machines. Thanks.

[@shanethomas1202]

Yess! Please keep introducing weird and wonderful tools! This just reminds me of the day I was straining wire fences and someone handed me a fence wire twister. And blew my tiny mind! Suddenly I could work faster because I had the right tool !

[@MrKrispers]

I've always just put the ends of wire in a drill and spin that way

[@chrism6904]

That's a great idea too!

[@g25r8cer]

Easy to over twist with a drill however

[@Tubajock2]

sounds like alof of set up for something small but probably worth if you were making a LONG run of wire

[@qwertyasdf66]

@@Tubajock2 Faster than using this device.

[@nzgunnie]

Too easy to over-twist. There's a tolernace to the number of twists per inch ( 6 to 8 twists per inch), which is defined by the FAA AC 43.13-1B as well as being the same standards in the NAVAIR and USAF TOs.

[@OneZeroZero_au]

you can do the same with a drill

[@brodiehaward]

You can, but this is much smaller, allowing you to use it in tight spaces, doesn’t create a spark and can cut the wire all with one tool.

[@robertthomas5906]

Wire up an engine using a drill. You won't be doing that for very long. You'll be back to the pliers. They're the right tool for the job.

[@dirtydave2691]

Adams explanation of the lacing wire tool is spot on. As a unit armorer in the early 90's I had a lacing tool in my arms room. Besides using them for lacing various parts on weapons; M60 machine gun gas regulator end caps, various places on the M2 .50 cal and the M203 40mm grenade launcher, I used it to lace my MILES gear harness on my helmet and various other things. I still have one of my own today. They are great for engine parts and a million other applications. Just make sure you don't use wire that is too soft.

[@WyrdwoodStudioBirmingham]

I use these regularly for twisting silver wire!!! One of the best pair of pliers I have!!!

[@uh60rider2000]

This tool is a staple for any one that works in the aviation maintenance industry. I've worked on UH-60 Blackhawks for 20 years now and find them to be one of the most important tools in a mechanic's tool box. What is funny is when I was a young enlisted man in the army, most units didn't allow us to use safety wire pliers. We were taught in AIT to twist the wire and complete all safeties by hand. I can twist a safety either way, by hand or with safety wire pliers...one of coolest tools ever.

[@plaid11]

I watched this back when it first came out and thought it was pretty cool. Just the other day my boss came to me asking if I knew how to use them. I knew exactly what they were but had to give it a couple goes before really figuring it out. Didn’t help they were bent so the locking mechanism didn’t line up just right but after getting that fixed, they worked pretty well. Thank you for providing us with knowledge we didn’t know we needed!

[@shonitagarcia3222]

I went ahead and bought a set of these for my jewelery making and metal smithing in college. Thanks for the share.

[@kevinwillis557]

This was awesome. My dad passed away and I found a pair of these in his toolbox but had no idea what the heck they were. Now I need to go twist a bunch of wires.

[@kennethiman2691]

Nice. Was looking at a handymans work years ago and saw a twisted wire that was perfect. Never knew how he did it until now!

[@rogermccauley9759]

I was an aviation mechanic in the Navy. I love those pliers.

[@WoWhistorian]

There is something incredibly satisfying about watching that twisting happen.

[@blackwater2192]

That has to be the cleanest set of safety wire pliers I've ever seen.