I finally found a better way to safety wire those tight spots

Was working on a Cessna 172 at KAPA last month, trying to safety wire a bolt tucked behind the starter. My hands were cramping up trying to get the angle right with regular pliers. An old timer from the hangar next door handed me a pair of curved duckbill pliers and said 'try these, you'll thank me later.' That little swap cut my time from 20 minutes down to about 8. Anyone else got a go-to tool for those impossible access points?

3 comments

3 Comments

logan2051mo ago

That "old timer" tip about the curved duckbill pliers is a perfect example of how the right tool can totally change your whole approach to a frustrating job. It's funny how often we try to muscle through something with what we have, when just swapping to something made for that exact angle can save you a ton of time and headache. It's like when you finally get a good pair of scissors at home and wonder why you put up with the dull ones for so long.

mila_perry131mo agoMost Upvoted

I saw a video where a guy swore by those little flex head ratchets for that.

hugo82525d ago

Totally feel your pain on that one. I spent a whole afternoon cussing at a fuel pump bolt on a Piper once before a buddy showed me the same trick with a pair of offset needle nose. It's amazing how just an inch of bend in the tool saves you from dislocating your shoulder trying to get leverage in there. Those tiny adjustments make all the difference when you're working blind behind some bracket.