5 Best Safety Wire Pliers: What They Are Used For and How to Choose the Right Set
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Here is what you need to know about safety wire pliers. A guide for auto enthusiasts and professional mechanics alike.
Safety wire pliers originated from the aviation industry, where they used them to hold bolts tightly. The safety wire end was tightly wrapped around the bolt to prevent it from loosening. Nowadays, they have also found a home within motorsport. This technique is not familiar. It’s only really used where high-speed travel puts an additional strain on bolts.
Safety wire pliers are an excellent tool for any backyard mechanic or professional auto technician to have on hand. You can use these pliers to install and remove safety wiring, which is essential to prevent the nuts from loosening when they become vibrated by engine movement.
The chances are (because you’re reading this) you need a safety wire plier but are unfamiliar with what they are, how they work, and your buying options.
Safety wire pliers should not be confused with regular needle-nose or groove joint pliers, as their jaw shape is designed specifically for this task. We have reviewed five of the best models available so you can choose the right set for your needs!
What are Safety Wire Pliers?
A safety wire plier is a positive locking device that prevents fasteners from untightening and, eventually, coming out due to vibration and other forces. Safety wire pliers are put on the fastener, which is then pulled to tighten. Safety wire pliers come in various sizes and shapes, making it easier for you to work with different-sized wires. You can use safety wire pliers around any machine or other moving component where there may be a risk of the fasteners loosening due to forces and vibrations.
Here’s an outline of what we provide in this best safety wire pliers review article:
- First, we weigh each model against each other in our comparison table
- Next, we’ll advise their features and benefits you’ll find handy
- Then, we’ll look at each models weakness you might need to know about
- And finally, we’ll show you a video about how safety wire pliers work
Sound OK? Let’s begin!
Buy on AmazonOur Favorite Safety Wire Pliers | Compared:
CLICK any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Imperial Tool Milbar | Click Here | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Race-Driven | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | Stahlwille | Click Here | 4.7 / 5 |
  | Mostbest | Click Here | 4.5 / 5 |
  | BikeMaster | Click Here | 4.2 / 5 |
Considering other types of pliers, too?
9 Different Types of Pliers – Which One is Right For You?
Buy on Amazon5 Best Safety Wire Pliers | Reviewed:
1. Imperial Tool Milbar (Best Overall)
- The Imperial Tool Milbar are 25W reversible wire twister pliers with automatic return and have a patented automatic sleeve. These wire twisting pliers will help you twist up wires a lot faster with better control.
- No more struggling against stubborn wires, this tool has it all: reversible action for left and right-handed people; custom spring return, to make it easier on your hands; cushion throat to hold clipped wire without any Foreign Object Damage (FOD).
- With its improved lock slide that holds the wire securely to avoid slipping, its patented quick-acting reversing sleeve that stops twisted wires from uncoiling further, and its spring return twist rod that offers more of an assist while twisting than any other pliers in this category, you get what you need without too much frustration. Plus a clutch action pull knob saves your fingers with just one hand free.
- Imperials powerful jaw is a full quarter-inch thick and made from heat-treated drop forged steel. Give your old wire twisters the boot, accept no substitutes--the long-lasting Milbar would love to be in your hand today.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Race-Driven Safety Wire Pliers (Best Value)
- Race-Driven Safety Wire Pliers are made from high-quality steel, designed for installing safety wire. This effective tool has locking jaws that release the plier after use so they won't accidentally take off a valuable part of your engine!
- With a 6-inch jaw length, these versatile pliers can be used to install bolts and nuts or twist wires around a post or rack as a type of parking lock. The adjustable jaw design provides added versatility for a wider range of fastener applications, including thin wire.
- Featuring a spring loaded return, tapered nose, and polished locking jaws these are ideal if you dont require maintenance or installation on high-performance pieces.
- These safety wire twister pliers are not reversible and will only turn clockwise but they're easy to use, fits comfortably in your hands, and for the price you pay this comfortably wins our Best Value pick.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Stahlwille (Model 6575 1 220) Reversible Wire Twisting Pliers
- Stahlwille 6575 wire twisting pliers are perfect for wire locking of metal fasteners. They have serrated jaws that provide positive grip and can be used in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction to suit your needs.
- What's more, these pliers already come with a side wire cutter installed so you save time and money on that too! These flexible grips allow you to hold locking wires up to 1.6 millimeters in diameter.
- The jaws are serrated and angled by 40° for that positive grip on the wire while being both clockwise and anti-clockwise compatible.
- Whether it's in the heat of battle or just fixing a small detail on your engine, with these pliers locking wires has never been easier or more reliable thanks to its automatic return action.
- Measuring 1.57 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches and weighing 11.6 ounces, these are a must-have if you are an aviation engineer. Because of their size, they are able to fit into small areas and so this makes them ideal for tight areas where precision work is needed.
- They are expensive but you get what you pay for. It's a top-quality tool made from Chrome Vanadium steel that resists corrosion at any pH level or temperature range.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Mostbest 9″
- Mostbest safety wire twist pliers are a blast from the past with their heavy-duty, forged steel construction. These pliers are perfect for any home project or industrial job and will work without fail-- all while looking sharp.
- Forged steel is stronger than its cast-iron counterpart so you can clamp onto anything (steel, brazing rod) without worrying about camming out of position in the process.
- The locking mechanism holds tight on to wires or anything else thin enough for discerning fingers. With a long 9 length, these pliers have superior clamping force and no need for regripping wire. The quick twist helix conveniently lets you make your grip and release quickly to go on to the next step, without any slipping or sliding of the wire fastener.
- Further, this product has a spring-loaded return feature so that once you push down, it springs back into its original position at full strength - saving your hands and adding more safety work power!
- Another great feature is their ball bearing puller which makes operation much easier by helping guide cords up over corners or bends during installation: especially helpful when working with thicker gauge wires.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. BikeMaster Safety Wire Pliers (inc 25′ Stainless Steel Wire)
- The Bike Master safety wire pliers are a must-have tool for mechanics and racers. Made of forged steel, these pliers have shot-peened and ground clamping surfaces that give an impeccable grip on the wire, ensuring no slippage as youre installing it.
- These long safety wire pliers also feature a heavy-duty spring with a chrome-plated retainer slide that can be used to extend the leverage range of the plier jaws from 3/16 to 11/32, giving better control over different size wires with one turn. Quick twist helix saves time on installation while ensuring accuracy.
- BikeMaster wire pliers are the perfect tools for every racer or mechanic needs. It's not an option, it is absolutely essential in any toolbox! The forged steel pliers deliver superior clamping force and continuous, no slippage during use.
- Whether youre a pro or a beginner at mechanic work, these wire pliers will be accounted as one of your most valuable assets; theyll do everything you need them to do with ease!
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Video: How to Safety Wire Bolts, Grips, and Drill Bolt Heads
Conclusion
There’s a lot at stake in using safety wire pliers, given they were originally designed to hold bolts tight in aircraft to prevent disasters. We found there was a huge difference in quality between the cheapest to most expensive models, and so if you are a professional race or aircraft engineer buy the best.
Don’t, PLEASE don’t! buy the cheapest as it just won’t be as safe.
Imperial Tool Milbar Comfortably won our Best Overall pick. These guys know what they are doing when it comes to manufacturing safety wire pliers. Yes, you’ll pay a bit more but they will pay you back easily throughout your career. There’s a lot of options with Milbar so no matter what you’re working on they will have a tool that can assist you.
Our Best Value pick went to Race-Driven Safety Wire Pliers. There’s a lot of competition amongst manufacturers in this price bracket, but we felt this gives you the best return on your investment. The build quality is great in comparison with similar tools.
We hope you have found our review of safety wire pliers useful and you can now decide which tool is the right fit for you.
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Walts DIY is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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