Safety Wire Pliers

[ACHiPo]

Well, the safety wire pliers I bought a couple years ago gave up the ghost today after using them to wire all of 8 (or was it 6) knock offs. They came from Finish Line. Pretty disappointing. Just ordered a pair or Milbars for $70--hoping I get at least 3x the number of wires twisted.

What are others using?

In my case the plastic "die" that guided the twist motion stripped out. I may try to pull it out and see if I can't find a more durable material. In the mean time hopefully the Milbars will hold up a bit longer.

[twobjshelbys]

I bought the ones from Harbor Freight. They were very high quality and inexpensive (not cheap).

[Tom Kirkham]

You will like your Milbars. They build them for Snap On.

[joyridin']

Actually, Stride Tool makes them for Milbar, Snap-On, and quite a few others including Chinese versions.

The Milbar and Snap-On are made from square stock and machined completely. The Chinese versions are castings with a small amount of milling just to make them usable.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Actually, Stride Tool makes them for Milbar, Snap-On, and quite a few others including Chinese versions.

The Milbar and Snap-On are made from square stock and machined completely. The Chinese versions are castings with a small amount of milling just to make them usable.

We have found the Harbor freight pliers will often not cut the wire, the blades are not precise enough to reliably cut the SS wire. They twist OK, but you will need decent dykes for the wire cutting.

[HI Cobra]

I have the Harbor Freight 6" and 9" wire twist pliers for several years and no
issues.

[undy]

Originally Posted by HI Cobra

I have the Harbor Freight 6" and 9" wire twist pliers for several years and no
issues.

Same here. I cut the wire with them too, no problem.

[twobjshelbys]

Look. The reality is that almost all Harbor Freight tools are meant for light duty (note 1). If you're a pro and will use them daily spend the money and get something that will last. Meanwhile, for the same money you can typically buy 3 or 4 HF tools for the same price, but you'll be swapping wheels once a year if that often, and the HF tool will work nicely.

PS. HF has two versions, get the "long" one.

Note 1: Some of their tools, especially their light weight low profile floor jack, are among the best. I bought one and my friend bought two for his mechanic shop.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Look. The reality is that almost all Harbor Freight tools are meant for light duty (note 1). If you're a pro and will use them daily spend the money and get something that will last. Meanwhile, for the same money you can typically buy 3 or 4 HF tools for the same price, but you'll be swapping wheels once a year if that often, and the HF tool will work nicely.

PS. HF has two versions, get the "long" one.

Note 1: Some of their tools, especially their light weight low profile floor jack, are among the best. I bought one and my friend bought two for his mechanic shop.

We have some HF tools in the shop. There are some very good items......and some real crap! The 3/8" to 1/4" drive adaptor snapped at about 2 Lb./ft. of torque!

[Karl Bebout]

I have a HF 9" wire tool and it doesn't cut well, but spins just fine. Its my 2nd because the first one's locking tang broke. HF replaced it with no questions asked. The vast majority of their hand tools have a LT guarantee. Hard to pass up, considering the price. Of course, its mighty frustrating for a tool to die just when you need it....My 2¢

[DanEC]

Their (HF) aluminum jack stands are nice and they carry urethane pads for them. I also have one of the 1-1/2 ton aluminum jacks for light work.