Intro to Safety Wiring (1 Viewer)

[bsmith123]

I came across this post with the bolts wired up and thought I would post up a better way to do it and some basics on safety wire.

Safety wire results in a condition where if one bolt tries to loosen the next one tightens. But really once you have the knack it can be done very tightly and bolts don't budge.

Also safety wire pliers are the best tool in the world for removing stuck cotter pins. Cant get to the head of the cotter pin?--these pliers once locked on then rotated will pull out a pretty good size cotter pin through the wrong way.

Safety wire is easy to do and doesnt make the bolts harder to remove like loctite and gives a visual indication of security.

there are different thicknesses of safety wire I use .020, .032, and .041 stainless

dont twist too tight, actually there are specs for turns per inch if your are twisting it using the 2 wire method but for our uses here you can pretty much do it by feel and you will feel when it is right.

Once you are through the final bolt cut it off twist it--I twist the "pigtail" opposite the rest of the safety wire. Then fold it over to make a little loop back towards the bolt or nut---the ends can be sharp!

any way here is the pic from a 40 build and i drew over in red how it could be done to better lock the bolts in place

Below that will be other pics of various fasteners saftied with wire and the pliers and wire.

This is common on aircraft and I think racing apps but you may find a use for it.

 

[bsmith123]

some more bolts

a few more applications

 

[bsmith123]

pliers and wire

Safety wire is good for all kinds of things---temp securing stuff, tagging parts, loads of things you can do with it.

you can also use it in other ways like drilling a hole in a hose clamp screw. Some fuel lines come with predrilled fittings. Also you might notice some bolts will have a "D" at the end of the p/n for drilled if you want one with the head drilled. A little research into different specs of bolts will turn up the correct call out for a drilled bolt head

safety wire can be done correctly by hand but the pliers really help get it neat and tidy

Hope you find it handy!

 

[kb3gun]

I almost forgot about safety wire. Used it in the army all the time. Great way to secure bolts and other fasteners. Thanks for the reminder!!

 

[ocdbeetle]

I knew my Air Force training would come in good again one day...Thanks for the refresher....

 

[bsmith123]

Handy tool

Yup, I am "retireded" AF


Even if you don't safety wire then have the pliers --they grip like magic and are good for all sorts of things