What Kind Of Wire For Tying Bolts

KCTractors · Dec 30, 2015

This may sound stupid! Is there a special wire for tying the bolts from coming loose like on engine main bearing and etc.? I can I get it from an Automotive store?

SanDogDewey · Dec 30, 2015

.032 stainless safety wire is what I use.

01gentdc · Dec 30, 2015

just a farmer here,,,,not a real mechanic ,. ok ,.. on my ol DC Case , I used electric fence wire thru the main bolt caps , cross lace tied them and cut off the tails ,.that was over 20 yrs ago , so far so good..

John Deere D · Dec 30, 2015

I use Stainless Safety wire.
Safety wire alloy:
302/304. Safety wire diameters: 0.020", 0.025", 0.032" and 0.041"
I've safety wired (GE)J79's, (GE)CF6-80s,,and all equipment that required safety wire as a locking device that I have ever assembled.
Bob...

Paul from MI · Dec 30, 2015

Kind of wire-- I don't know. But I have a pair of wire twisting pliers that I don't know how to use and wish I did. Maybe I need a night school class.

MNGB · Dec 30, 2015

As posted 0.032 SS aircraft wire if there is an airport close maybe ask if you can get what ever length you need or check with a local hardwarwe store for 20 ga stove pipe wire or also called mechanics wire.
GB in MN

Tom OConnor · Dec 30, 2015

Any aircraft service facility will have a supply of stainless safety wire and will show you the proper use of the special twisting pliers. Most every connector on an airplane has a safety wire right down to the oil filter. Look at any airport that has a General Aviation Service listing.

gene bender · Dec 30, 2015

You should be able to get mechanics wire for that purpose it is very flexable and easy to use. Where are you going to use it as the use has disapeared some time ago unless its aircraft. Any hardware store should have some.

ObsoElitist · Dec 31, 2015

Google "how to install safety wire" and you will find good info. I keep stainless wire in 3 sizes

MarkB_MI · Dec 31, 2015

It's called (not surprisingly) "safety wire" and you can get it from aviation supply houses like Wicks and Aircraft Spruce. Sure, hardware store wire will work, but the good stuff is not that expensive.

If you order the wire, I suggest you buy a pair of safety wire pliers as well.
Safety wire

Mike M · Dec 31, 2015

Parts stores or hardware stores used to carry mechanics wire. Many uses for it around the home and shop. I never did know they even made special pliers until a few years back. If on old tractors you don't have to be too fancy just make sure you run the wire thru as to make the twist hold tension in the tightening direction.

Bret4207 · Dec 31, 2015

Harbor Freight carries safety wire. Seems to work fine.

K Effective · Dec 31, 2015

Harbor Freight carries safety wire. Seems to work fine.

I killed some time at HF last night, and was surprised to see safety wire and TWO sizes of safety-wire pliers there. We use it for component labelling at work (in addition to it's intended use), and I find the thicker the better works for me (and, that's what she says).

Some of my Navy vet coworkers tell of tests for "twists per inch" skills, but as long as I don't snap it, I figure I'm good.

MNGB · Dec 31, 2015

You don't need a pliers to to the job right 14 twists per inch was the US Army standard and when I was young and in the Army we didn't have safety wire pliers it was all by hand but that 50+ yrs ago, unless your going to be doing lots of engines using safety wire get the mechanics wire will do the same at half the cost and lots easier to work with. AND something to be aware of when using safety wire pliers its easy to nick the wire or over twist and in both cases it will fail.
GB in MN

Gary from Muleshoe · Dec 31, 2015

A roll of .032 safety wire will last a long time. If you have a military surplus close by sometimes they have it, if not Harbor Freight will do fine. I have used baling wire that worked fine to, just have to be careful when you twist as it will break easily. Harbor Freight or Northern Tool carry the safety wire pliers as well.

JRSutton · Dec 31, 2015

I like this milspec stuff - comes in different thicknesses. I like the plastic containers it comes in - easy to store, stays clean, most importantly, easy to find in the shop!

One can ought to last you forever if you only do an occasional rebuild, so it's very cheap - buy a few different sizes and you'll be set for life.

Here's a link - but you can find it anywhere on the web.
link

The Dukester · Dec 31, 2015

Bring those wire twisting pliers to our tractor club meeting some time. I might be able to help you, I being an old Air Force airplane mechanic about 55 years ago. They issued 'em to us back then, but I never used them on the "soft .032 wire" we used on most applications, seemed to slow using them, but they were nice on the stainless wire we used on jet engine "hot section" parts. You could get bloody fingers pretty quick using that stuff if you weren't careful.
See Ya,
Duke

jeffcat · Dec 31, 2015

Years ago I got hold of a role of staples. Yup , it is a roll of nice clean thin wire for industrial staplers that is used for magazines like you buy at the news stand. It is called saddle stitch. Like 14 inches across and 3 thick. MILES of wire.

What Kind Of Wire For Tying Bolts

KCTractors

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SanDogDewey

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01gentdc

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John Deere D

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Paul from MI

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MNGB

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Tom OConnor

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gene bender

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