Been an aircraft mech for 30 years, crop dusters, Learjets, WW2, home builds, and most majors....using the same ol pliers. Can't go wrong either way. Longer pliers handle the larger wire because the long handle "flex" more without damaging the wire at the grip point but still grip solid onto .032.
Small pliers are good making you bleed!! Because whatever you have to safety that small usually means you can't see the part that's hidden behind an engineerings nightmare of a design and you have to jam your hand into a nasty area with a bunch of sharp edges, hold a mirror on a stick in your mouth to see what you're trying to safety and hope your flash light banded on your head stays put! Not that I'm bitter, just saying!
There seems to be a good pair of blue point pliers on eBay right now for .99...no bids.
Tips for proper twist here:
Safety Wire | AMT Community
And remember! Please leave a 1/2" long pigtail and bend it (loop it) back over on top of itself so the finished product is half the length of the cut pigtail. The reason? The cut tip of the wire is razor sharp, bending the tail over produces a wonderfully smooth end. ( less bleeding again ).
Honestly, 6" or 9" will work for .032". Stay with 8.5 or 9's if doin .041". Stay with 6" for .025" wire or less.
Have fun and thanks for memories of years past!
Cheers.
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