Safety Wire... where do I get it?

dstates · Oct 7, 2012

I've got my belt pulley drive all back together after replacing the seal and it's almost ready to go back in the tractor. The only thing I need is some wire to safety the two bolts so they don't come loose. Does it need to be a special kind of wire? Any suggestions? Will Farm and Fleet have it?

By the way, I'll probably do it the aviation way by doing it as shown in the first picture of the diagram below.

Thanks!

DeltaRed · Oct 7, 2012

When I worked at a'diesel shop',we used to use
"mechanics tie wire".Local NAPA store carried
it.Came in a one pound roll.

sd pete · Oct 7, 2012

Electric fence wire works too. Airplane way is
the best way. Just make sure the wire is pulling
the heads tight.

rustred · Oct 7, 2012

there is stainless steel wire in rolls for that use also.

wisbaker · Oct 8, 2012

Electric fence wire, mechanic's wire from an Auto
Parts or industrial supply house, Stainless Steel
MIG wire or the appropriate aircraft wire from
someone like Aircraft Spruce

rhtx55 · Oct 8, 2012

any aviation parts supply house or hangar has it.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 8, 2012

McMaster Carr or MSC will both have.

cjd12000 · Oct 8, 2012

Avial will have it you want .032 stainless they have models
but there pricey safety wired a lot when I worked on helos
also snap on can get it

dstates · Oct 8, 2012

Thanks, guys! Napa was out, but Carquest had some. I worked in the aviation industry for a while and we always called it safety wire, but the guys at the automotive stores knew it as 'mechanic's wire" like you said. Thanks for the tip.

El Toro · Oct 8, 2012

The Air Force has a tool for twisting that wire
Makes a nice neat job. We always did it by hand. Hal

Janicholson · Oct 8, 2012

Mechanics wire is definitely not safety wire. Safety wire is not iron, mechanics wire is.
Safety wire is anealed stainless, or nickle alloy. it does not rust, and is soft but with a good tensile strength. I would not use mechanics wire. Jim

mkirsch · Oct 8, 2012

FWIW, Harbor Freight sells spools of safety wire along with the twister tool. Gotta be better than a sharp stick in the eye.

Genos · Oct 8, 2012

They taught us how to safety wire in B-47 school 55 years ago, i still have a roll somewhere? it's very stiff stainless wire, not fun to do by hand. Not the same as Mechanics wire.

dstates · Oct 8, 2012

So I know some stainless steels are magnetic, but I did a quick magnet check and you guys are probably right that I bought a steel wire. I'm not really worried about corrosion since this is in an oil soaked area, though. I'll put some stainless safety wire on my list and replace it when I get some.

sflem849 · Oct 8, 2012

Really, you are going to beat him up because it is not stainless? There was a freaking coat hanger in there for YEARS!!! Why don't you beat up the electric fence wire guys. That stuff is junk, bend it three or four times and it breaks.

Janicholson · Oct 8, 2012

With respect, You know I do not "beat people up" on this forum. My opinion is (usually) best practices, and interest of safety and lowered expense. There is certainly no reason to get wired about bolts on a bevel gear. However the bevel gear will probably not be the last thing to be wired, by the poster, or others. When we make it OK to use marginal materials on one application, it becomes OK for that to be interpreted as OK for many apps. If I am out of line here, please forgive. Jim

flhr62 · Oct 9, 2012

If you want the correct wire let me know, I will send you enough to do those bolts. If you do rewire it, you want to start the twist in the wire at the hole, not on the point of the bolt. The way you have it is not exactly correct, but will probably last the rest of your life.

agpilot · Oct 9, 2012

Hello Jim: You are about the only one to use the words "with respect" quite often.. Would be nice if a few others would too..

sflem849 · Oct 9, 2012

(quoted from post at 20:06:23 10/08/12) With respect, You know I do not "beat people up" on this forum. My opinion is (usually) best practices, and interest of safety and lowered expense. There is certainly no reason to get wired about bolts on a bevel gear. However the bevel gear will probably not be the last thing to be wired, by the poster, or others. When we make it OK to use marginal materials on one application, it becomes OK for that to be interpreted as OK for many apps. If I am out of line here, please forgive. Jim

Makes sense to me. At times, it seems people think we are servicing commercial helicopters. Yes, we should do the right thing but many times there is a good enough option. Yes, airplane approved spark plugs would be better...but are they necessary???

Oh yeah! I think I still have anger about the straight pipe post. He knew it would hurt his hearing. He asked about the engine. :lol:

Harold H · Oct 9, 2012

Aircraft Spruce or any aviation shop will have proper aviation safety wire in two or three different diameter sizes. Do not use steel mechanic's wire.
Harold H

Owen Aaland · Oct 9, 2012

For a good indication of how critical IH the use of safety wire or locking tabs was, is to look at any tractor built after 1960 and see how many places those devices were used.

When tractors were serviced in the field without much regard to proper torque on bolts the wires and locks served to keep some fasteners in place. By using proper torque on fasteners you will rarely find one that comes loose without there being some other underlying cause.

Safety Wire... where do I get it?

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