Safety wire tip

[Joe Larussa]

It's that time again to change my oil. When it comes time to safety the oil suction screen or drain bolt I just want to poke myself in the eye with a pencil! Seems impossible to get in there. Anybody have any tip or maybe a special tool?

[DonMuncy]

I know nothing about this particular problem, but I have seen the "screwdriver type" safety wire tools advertised. It would seem that threading the wire ends through the holes in the screwdriver tip, sliding it into place, then backing out while twisting, might be helpful in places where it would be hard to attach safety wire pliers. 

[N201MKTurbo]

14 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

I know nothing about this particular problem, but I have seen the "screwdriver type" safety wire tools advertised. It would seem that threading the wire ends through the holes in the screwdriver tip, sliding it into place, then backing out while twisting, might be helpful in places where it would be hard to attach safety wire pliers. 

This is the secret, you can buy one or you can make one. Just get a long straight blade screwdriver and grind a slot in the end with a Dremel. Hold both wires tight and with your third hand twist them with the tool.

[Hank]

17 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

I know nothing about this particular problem, but I have seen the "screwdriver type" safety wire tools advertised. It would seem that threading the wire ends through the holes in the screwdriver tip, sliding it into place, then backing out while twisting, might be helpful in places where it would be hard to attach safety wire pliers. 

Safety wire is cheap, I bought a pint-sized container in 2007? 2008? and have lots and lots left. I often throw away one messed up piece before getting it done right, because only wiring on oil filters is very little practice. If you can't get the pliers down in there, throw your piece of wire away and use a longer one, so you have room to use the safety wire pliers.

[DonMuncy]

Just now, Hank said:

Safety wire is cheap, I bought a pint-sized container in 2007? 2008? and have lots and lots left. I often throw away one messed up piece before getting it done right, because only wiring on oil filters is very little practice. If you can't get the pliers down in there, throw your piece of wire away and use a longer one, so you have room to use the safety wire pliers.

Hank, My problem is not cutting off too short a piece of wire. To me, the most common problem is pinching the safety wire pliers in the wrong place on the wire. If you pinch it too short, you have to undo the pliers, move down and re-pinch, making a not so pretty twist pattern. Or worse yet, pinch too long. Then your only choices are to start over or untwist a few turns (not a good practice). 

[Hank]

5 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

Hank, My problem is not cutting off too short a piece of wire. To me, the most common problem is pinching the safety wire pliers in the wrong place on the wire. If you pinch it too short, you have to undo the pliers, move down and re-pinch, making a not so pretty twist pattern. Or worse yet, pinch too long. Then your only choices are to start over or untwist a few turns (not a good practice). 

Sorry, I thought the problem was a lack of space for the pliers. A longer piece of wire puts the pliers further from the cramped spot, into a roomy area for use. I just cut off mutilated wire and start again.

It's also important when done to fold the cut end over so it doesn't rub on anything, including your hand the next time you reach in . . . .

Edited March 4, 2018 by Hank

[Joe Larussa]

I usually thread the wire through the plug and twist roughly and inch. Then install the plug, feed the wire though the case. Then try to finish off. So freaking tight . I love the modified screwdriver idea!

thanks

[jaylw314]

Quick drain plugs help a lot 

Your idea of wiring the plug before installing it is right.  Frequently the trick is figuring out whether to wire the aircraft or the installed part before installing it, one or the other usually ends up making the job the easiest.  For my oil filter, I know threading the wire on the filter mount before installing the filter is the easiest way.

ATS has some long-reach narrow safety wire twisters:

Cheap version

Expensive version

[jetdriven]

The long screwdriver type  version is called a pignose.  Invaluable for Lycoming sump screen plug safety wire. http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/wiretwisters3.php

[bradp]

I will clip the old wire in such a way that I have a rough idea of where to grab with the pliers. Almost like a template.  

[DonMuncy]

17 hours ago, bradp said:

I will clip the old wire in such a way that I have a rough idea of where to grab with the pliers. Almost like a template.  

Holding the wire where it is and where it is going to find out the length is easy enough. Figuring out how much that length will be reduced by the "twist" is more difficult.

[jetdriven]

1 hour ago, DonMuncy said:

Holding the wire where it is and where it is going to find out the length is easy enough. Figuring out how much that length will be reduced by the "twist" is more difficult.

Around 10%

[DonMuncy]

11 minutes ago, jetdriven said:

Around 10%

I use the TLAR (that looks about right) system, and get pretty close. I don't like the way it looks if I have to untwist a couple of turns, but doubt it makes a difference. Also, I don't know why it would be bad to leave it a few twists short (leaving a short run of untwisted double wire). Does anyone have any reason to think the function of the safety would be impaired.

[Andy95W]

Technically speaking, you’re not supposed to untwist the wire because you will weaken it slightly. Then again, I’ve seen owners who didn’t even know they were supposed to safety wire their oil filters, so I don’t think I’d worry about it all that much. 

[jaylw314]

40 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

Technically speaking, you’re not supposed to untwist the wire because you will weaken it slightly. Then again, I’ve seen owners who didn’t even know they were supposed to safety wire their oil filters, so I don’t think I’d worry about it all that much. 

Or, like me, you can forget you safety wired the oil filter and wonder why it's so damned hard to get off 

[DonMuncy]

I just reread my earlier post and realized somewhat of an illogical aspect to my question. If you are safety-wiring a bolt head, leaving an "untwisted" section could possibly allow the bolt to loosen before putting full tension on the wire. However, on the topic as originally stated (oil filter), I would think that with equal tension, it wouldn't matter whether the wire was twisted at all. The oil filter would have to break the wire before it could move. Of course, neat safety wiring sure looks nice.