Aesthetically Pleasing Safety Wire Twists

patrickt · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 09:02 AM

A few days ago, in a thread that I can now not find, a member was commenting that he just couldn't get his safety wire twists to look good, even when using dedicated safety wire pliers. Yesterday, when I was removing a wheel, I thought of that post, so I picked up the camera to take a shot for him. Like almost everything in life, there is a trick that makes it easy to look good. That trick is start your twisting by hand, not with the pliers. Here it is:

When initially wrapping the wire around the spoke of the wheel, hand twist the wire tightly against the spoke. Do a couple of twists like this before using your pliers. This will allow the pliers twisting action to start fresh up against the spoke.

Then put the safety wire pliers on the end and it will perform a clean twist. Do that to a length right up against the end of the spinner; then bring an end of the wire though the drilled hole in your spinner and run a inch or two of twist and cut to an appropriate length.

The finished product.

JB in Alabama · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 10:32 AM

NICE!
There is a fishing tool for twisting wire leader that is really quick that may work also.
JB

Rick Parker · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Nice application Pat, good instructions, but from a working angle and to be more secure the next spoke to the right on the wheel would be a better starting point. It would require a more direct pull at closer to 90 degrees to the ear of the knock off.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

Nice application Pat, good instructions, but from a working angle and to be more secure the next spoke to the right on the wheel would be a better starting point. It would require a more direct pull at closer to 90 degrees to the ear of the knock off.

But it wouldn't look as pretty.

misfit41 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

A few days ago, in a thread that I can now not find, a member was commenting that he just couldn't get his safety wire twists to look good, even when using dedicated safety wire pliers. Yesterday, when I was removing a wheel, I thought of that post, so I picked up the camera to take a shot for him. Like almost everything in life, there is a trick that makes it easy to look good. That trick is start your twisting by hand, not with the pliers. Here it is:

When initially wrapping the wire around the spoke of the wheel, hand twist the wire tightly against the spoke. Do a couple of twists like this before using your pliers. This will allow the pliers twisting action to start fresh up against the spoke.

Then put the safety wire pliers on the end and it will perform a clean twist. Do that to a length right up against the end of the spinner; then bring an end of the wire though the drilled hole in your spinner and run a inch or two of twist and cut to an appropriate length.

The finished product.

I appreciate your time to do this post as it was me with the problem tying. I will try your method and give it some practice.
Thanks again,Tk

Rick Parker · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 11:38 AM

Patrick: It would be lighter..........less wire!

LMH · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 11:43 AM

Remember, for .032" wire (that's what I use), the number of twists/inch should be 7 to 9.
Larry

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMH

Remember, for .032" wire (that's what I use), the number of twists/inch should be 7 to 9.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Parker

Patrick: It would be lighter..........less wire!

Man, rough crowd today.

Bob In Ct · #9 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 12:08 PM

Although I use safety wire (and 0.043 at that) I can't imagine that any of my spinners could ever come off on their own.

Once or twice a year I take my wheels off to clean them. Without fail I have to hit each ear many many times before the spinner is loose. What makes it even more amazing is that I do not go crazy when I put them on. These things are worse than both oil filters and 2 liter soda bottle caps for welding themselves on.

Bob

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misfit41

I appreciate your time to do this post as it was me with the problem tying. I will try your method and give it some practice.
Thanks again,Tk

My pleasure. Of course, you'll be getting a bill from me next week....

sparks · #11 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 02:02 PM

I put on a piece of heat shrink where the wire goes around the wheel. It looks nice and protects the wheel also.

mr0077 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 02:06 PM

One suggestion to improve the looks of the safety wire a bit further...start at the spinner, twist the wire toward the target spoke, then wrap the wires around the spoke and finish the final twist inside the spoke, behind the wheel. It takes positioning the target spoke where you can get to it, and laying on the ground at each wheel for a short while, but you end up with the loose end behind the wheel and out of sight where it won't cut or stick you. Then inquiring minds will ask you just how the heck did you do that!!?!

sparks · #13 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 02:08 PM

Good idea.....I'll do that next time.

bobcowan · #14 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 09:27 AM

Great tips on starting the twist. I have had some trouble getting my twists to look that good. But, I'm usually after function rather than form. Now I can get both.

I don't have knock offs, so maybe I'm missing something. Is that spinner a left hand thread?

I have read that you should have a little bit of slack in the wire; just enough to make a little bend. If the spinner starts to come loose, it will make the wire straight and give a visual indication.

Again, I don't have knock offs, so I could be wrong.

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcowan

I don't have knock offs, so maybe I'm missing something. Is that spinner a left hand thread?

That wheel is on the passenger side, so it is reverse threaded. Had it been on the driver's side, the safety wire would be in the opposite direction. Not all spinners are reverse threaded on the passenger side, but most are. Personally, I think you should leave your safety wire tight ... but that's a personal preference and others choose to leave a little slack or "loop" in the wire. Actually, it's easier to leave slack than it is to get it tight... maybe that's why they prefer to do it that way.

LuvDaBlues · #16 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 12:22 PM

Patrick,
I position the loose end of the wire on the backside of the spinners ear. Then bend a "button hook". I have scars on my knuckles from the wire scratching during washing the wheel before I moved to the backside.

But I do like Ken's idea, reverse wiring. I'll try that next time.

madmaxx · #17 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 12:30 PM

No, you do not have to lay on the ground, I just put my car half way up on my 4 post lift, LOL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr0077

One suggestion to improve the looks of the safety wire a bit further...start at the spinner, twist the wire toward the target spoke, then wrap the wires around the spoke and finish the final twist inside the spoke, behind the wheel. It takes positioning the target spoke where you can get to it, and laying on the ground at each wheel for a short while, but you end up with the loose end behind the wheel and out of sight where it won't cut or stick you. Then inquiring minds will ask you just how the heck did you do that!!?!

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvDaBlues

Patrick,
I position the loose end of the wire on the backside of the spinners ear.

Yes, but if I did that, or what mr0077, sparks, rick p., or others have suggested then I might jeopardize my charter membership position in the half ass members club....

Rick Parker · #19 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 12:43 PM

We love ya Pat

Tom Niebrand · #20 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

A few days ago, in a thread that I can now not find, a member was commenting that he just couldn't get his safety wire twists to look good, even when using dedicated safety wire pliers. Yesterday, when I was removing a wheel, I thought of that post, so I picked up the camera to take a shot for him. Like almost everything in life, there is a trick that makes it easy to look good. That trick is start your twisting by hand, not with the pliers. Here it is:

When initially wrapping the wire around the spoke of the wheel, hand twist the wire tightly against the spoke. Do a couple of twists like this before using your pliers. This will allow the pliers twisting action to start fresh up against the spoke.

Then put the safety wire pliers on the end and it will perform a clean twist. Do that to a length right up against the end of the spinner; then bring an end of the wire though the drilled hole in your spinner and run a inch or two of twist and cut to an appropriate length.

The finished product.

If this spinner is a right hand spinner then it's saftey wire is incorrect. If it's left hand then it's correct. I don't own a set of knock-off, but do they have left thread?