Wire locking pliers?

[Pitot1916]

Hi guys, I am a about to finish basic B1.1 course and start practical experience in hangars.
Can anybody please advise me which wire locking pliers are worth buying ?
I have found AK2092 270mm model on amazon. Are they good enough for aviation?
This is the link:
Sealey AK2092 Wire Twister 270mm Safety: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

I would be grateful for any advices and opinions. :ok:

[Beech_Boy]

Doesn't really matter which ones you buy, allot of people would probably think that Snapon are the best to buy, personally I don't rate theirs as they seem to un-clip quite easily whilst twisting. I would recommend getting a pair that can twist both clockwise and anti clockwise

[T.R Haychemu]

Buy 6" reversable ones! I've never when I was on tools found myself needing bigger lockingwire pliers! But plenty of times I wished they were smaller!

I have Bluepoints version of these;

LAS - Milbar Tigerwave Reversible Safety Wire Twister (http://www.lasaero.com/site/products/article?id=D010N64GL)

[Rigga]

As Beech Boy says - It doesnt really matter what type of pliers you use.

I think that its the end job that counts.

The Sealey one's work, but I think they are a bit clumsy, especially for thicker wire.

Like TRH I too like the Blue-Point 6" set - though mine aren't reversible - I just twist the whole pliers the very few times I need to do that.

I have also use the old Locktite ones and "twizzle sticks" to perform various special jobs/needs - all types work to some form of satisfaction....but, where Wire Locking is required, nothing beats practice, practice, practice.

[turbroprop]

I agree with T.R.Haychemu. Good pliers, but if just out of training cash may be tight. Follow his link to LASAERO as they have a good range at all prices. Plus they are a great source for all sorts of aviation tooling.

My advice is if you use the tool a lot by the best you can afford.

[munster]

Don't bother with the 10" ones. I've used the 8" ones for years and would never go back.
Cromwell tools are good value!
Cromwell Industrial Tools UK: Kennedy Industrial: 200mm/8" SAFETY WIRE TWISTING PLIERS (http://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5583900K)

[Engineer_aus]

6" ones are the better ones I have found. You can get into a lot of places the longer ones can't. You should also lockwire without using pliers first to gain the "old school" skills.

[IFHP]

Learn to wirelock first.....its a skill of hand that may prove to be more useful than which lock pliers you use.... and much cheaper.
There are lots of places you will not be able to use pliers.. then hands are the best or spinners.

Personally my favourites are Blue Point 10" which can be used for many tasks and have a nice weight to them ( I've had mine for 25 years and I miss them now we have to use company toolboxes, <will you need to buy any ? >)

[Pitot1916]

Thanks for the helpful replies guys. It is good to hear some advices from more experience than me. I am going online shopping now..:ok:

[orion1210]

I use a pair of milbar reversible, wouldn't entertain anyother for up to 0.041" wire. They supply snapon. Bought from the yard in wichita but are available in europe if you have a google.

[grounded27]

The smaller and cheaper the better. I have a 15 year old pair that is 6" and is made in china, only get better with age. The only reason they are not 20 years old is it took me 5 years to realise I was tired of busting knuckles in tight spaces.

[g4phil]

Brown Aviation and Aircraft Tools (http://www.browntool.com)

Safety Wire Tools (http://www.browntool.com/Default.aspx?tabid=255&CategoryID=212&List=1&Level=a&SortField=ProductName,ProductNumber)