Instructions for Safety Wire Pliers

In many different types of vehicle engines, you will need to lock certain bolts in place so that they do not come loose and cause damage. In these scenarios, you will be securing the bolts in place with safety wire. The safety wire is put in place with the use of safety wire pliers, which are pliers specifically designed for this exact purpose. This procedure is used in automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, and other vehicles. The safety wire pliers allow you to cut the safety wire, and twist the wire in place to make it sturdy.

Things You'll Need

• Safety wire pliers
• Safety wire

Instructions

1. Cut the safety wire to the desired length using the cutting tool area located underneath the grips of the pliers. When you put the wire on the flat area underneath the grips and press the handles together firmly, the pliers will cut the wire.

2. Wrap the newly cut safety wire around the two bolts you wish to secure in place. The wire should be long enough so that each hand can meet in the middle after you have wrapped them around the bolts.

3. Position both ends of the wire in the grips of the safety wire pliers, and press the handles firmly together until you hear a click. This will mean the grips are locked in place.

4. Pull out the knob in the center of the safety wire pliers. This will activate a mechanism inside the pliers which will begin twisting the ends of the safety wire together. Pushing the knob back in will cause the twisting to stop, and pulling it back out will initiate the process again. When the safety wire is twisted and secured in place, push the knob back in.

5. Push the handles together again firmly to let go of the safety wire completely. Double check the tension of the wire between the bolts to ensure that both the wire and bolts are sturdy and will not budge.

References

• Ultra Light News: Safety Wire
• RC51: Using Safety Wire on a Motorcycle