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Safety Wire

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Kitfox-List

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matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:52 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Hi  all,

  

 I am doing  some repairs that require undoing some "safety wire". Where does one get  replacement "safety wire" and if it's at the local hardware store what are the  specs? 

  

 I also notice  that the existing wire is *very* neatly twisted and tucked away, is there a  special tool for this or was the builder just really good with  pliers?

  

 Thanks in  advance,

  

  Bob Brennan

1991  Model 2 Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville  Pa

   [quote][b]

rick(at)5mike3.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:18 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Hi Bob ,

 There are many sources for safety wire and  pliers.

 I got mine from spruce:

 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/wireTwister.php

 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/safetywire.php

  

 The size of wire depends on your application.

  

 Hope this helps,

  

 Regards, 

 Rick Kitfox IV/ 912ul 50%

 [quote]   ---

57_kid

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 50

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:22 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Aircraft Spruce ,, Aviall, local airport ,   

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bob Brennan

 Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 12:49 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Safety Wire  

Hi all,  

I am doing some repairs that require undoing some "safety wire". Where does one get replacement "safety wire" and if it's at the local hardware store what are the specs?   

I also notice that the existing wire is *very* neatly twisted and tucked away, is there a special tool for this or was the builder just really good with pliers?  

Thanks in advance,  

Bob Brennan

 1991 Model 2 Kitfox

 Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

 Wrightsville Pa  

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       [quote][b]

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: Re: Safety Wire

Safety wire pliers are not needed at all, I did Zillions without any in the 

Navy once you get the technique you will find that you can hand twist

very easily. Less chance of breaking the wire as well. It's great for

building callouses as well. The cost of the pliers just to maintain a 

single small plane isn't worth it.



The wire does not need to be guitar string tight, it just needs to be snug

enough to prevent the fastener from coming undone. 



Regards,

Jeff

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 11:34 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Thanks Rick,

  

 I have ordered the special pliers and both sizes of 25ft wire,  cheap enough.

  

  Bob Brennan

1991  Model 2 Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville  Pa



   From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com  [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Rick  Frederick

Sent: 27 June 2008 2:16 pm

To:  kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Safety  Wire

 

 Hi Bob ,

 There are many sources for safety wire and  pliers.

 I got mine from spruce:

 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/wireTwister.php

 http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/safetywire.php

  

 The size of wire depends on your application.

  

 Hope this helps,

  

 Regards, 

 Rick Kitfox IV/ 912ul 50%

 [quote]   ---

rick(at)5mike3.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject: Safety Wire

Hi Bob,

Jeff is absolutely correct. You can do a very nice job of twisting safety 

wire without the special pliers (probably using some tool to clamp the wire 

ends; like vice grips).

I should have prefaced my post by saying that I am a novice and mostly do 

work on my Mooney and now building my Kitfox.

I happen to find the cost of the pliers well worth it, i think i paid about 

$20 for mine and it came with 2 spools of wire.



Regards, Rick



---

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject: Safety Wire

I am more than a novice, at least when it comes to doing repairs on an

aircraft, this being my first encounter with safety wires. I am no novice to

safety though, and when I see neatly twisted and tucked SAFETY wires I do my

best to make sure my replacement is at least as good. And SAFE! 



--

vetdrem

Joined: 20 Nov 2007
Posts: 62

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Safety Wire

Pretty is nice, but if it isn't done correctly, you might as well not do it.



Here is a link that does a pretty good job of showing the correct way to safety wire things.

http://www.whizwheels.com/Tips/safetywiring.html



It REALLY is important to do it right.



Louie

model 3 912ul

soon to be on aerocet 1100 amphibs

matronics(at)bob.brennan.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject: Safety Wire

Thanks Louie - that link is excellent and I couldn't agree more about doing

the job as best as possible.



Bob Brennan

1991 Model 2 Kitfox

Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

Wrightsville Pa

 



--

57_kid

Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Posts: 50

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:36 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Louie I agree completely a loose safety wire can wear through a attach point

a lot faster than you think, especially if it a softer metal. A good safety

wire pliers will run around a 100.00 but I have seen guys who can safety

just as fast by hand and look better than if you had used a pliers. just my

.02

Steve



--

wtrooper(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: Safety Wire

One thing not mentioned at WhizWheels is the 6-8 twists per inch as called for in the AC 43.13-2A. Your DAR or FAA inspector could gig you on this. 



WhizWheels merely says:

"Twists should be tight and even, and the wire between nuts as taut as possible without over-twisting."

  

Bill

Chinook/912ul in progress

lurking still



 

On Fri, Jun 27, 2008 at 6:54 PM, Bob Brennan <matronics(at)bob.brennan.name (matronics(at)bob.brennan.name)> wrote:

[quote]   --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "Bob Brennan" <matronics(at)bob.brennan.name (matronics(at)bob.brennan.name)>

 

 Thanks Louie - that link is excellent and I couldn't agree more about doing

 the job as best as possible.

 

 Bob Brennan

 1991 Model 2 Kitfox

 Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

 Wrightsville Pa

 

 

 --

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:18 am Post subject: Safety Wire

Safety wire is usually a monofilament stainless steel wire  that comes in various thicknwsses form somewhere in the .018in to .065 in and no doubt heavier than that.  For most applications I use .032 and .045 where called for.  

   

If your lock wiring looks neat then it is probably properly done.  Any lockwiring beats no lockwiring at all.  When I learned lock wiring we were only allowed to use duckbill pliers and they had to be covered with tape to prevent nicking the lockwire.   I’ve seen expert installation of wire done with everything from the duckbills to side cuts and of course there are the lockwire pliers that have the pull knob on the back to twist the wire.   If you are doing lost of wiring then I’d suggest getting several pairs in different sizes and make sure they are all reversing.  For yourself where you will probably only be wiring one machine, duckbills will probably suffice.  

   

If you can scrape up a copy of AC43.13,  available online from the FAA, in pdf format, there is a nice section on lockwiring.  They sho9w how to do different types of wiring  including filters, props and turnbuckles.  

   

   

[img]cid:image001.jpg(at)01C8D93E.6F6774F0[/img]  

   

Noel Loveys  

Campbellton, NL, Canada  

CDN AME intern, PP-Rec  

C-FINB, Kitfox III-A  

582 B box, Ivo IFA, Aerocet 1100 floats  

[url=noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca]noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca[/url]  

   

   

   

   

       

From: owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-kitfox-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bob Brennan

 Sent: Friday, June 27, 2008 3:19 PM

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Safety Wire  

  

  

     

Hi all,  

    

   

    

I am doing some repairs that require undoing some "safety wire". Where does one get replacement "safety wire" and if it's at the local hardware store what are the specs?   

    

   

    

I also notice that the existing wire is *very* neatly twisted and tucked away, is there a special tool for this or was the builder just really good with pliers?  

    

   

    

Thanks in advance,  

    

   

    

Bob Brennan

 1991 Model 2 Kitfox

 Rotax 582 with 3 blade prop

 Wrightsville Pa  

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_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:35 am Post subject: Safety Wire

If you are  just getting into safetying or lockwiring get someone who is trained to show you the ropes (pun not intended).  There are a few tricks to keeping everything tight without breaking the wires and most important is finishing the tie and bending the cut wires back on themselves to prevent nasty gashes.  As has been mentioned in this thread the wire only needs to tight enough to hold things together but tighter looks better and neatness counts.   J  The guy who describes the hand twisting is completely right it is the best way but takes the longest time to do.  When learning to hand twist expect to pay for the experience with a little blood.  Ouch!  Brings back memories.  

   

Noel  

   

--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:38 am Post subject: Safety Wire

When doing item 3 if you reverse the twist on the wire between the second

bolt and the third bolt form what is done between the first and second bolts

the wire will lay a lot flatter...  Check out AC43.



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

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