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Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

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Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#21

Post by nikisweeting »

rainbowzootsuit wrote: post #17

This seems to basically already exist. The safety wire twister pliers probably won't have enough leverage for solid core household wiring especially compared to a cordless drill. Drill Powered Wire Twister and Stripper That Has Gone Viral https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxyTou4pMqQ

I've seen these but I wanted something hand powered for the 24~14awg range.

The target use-case isn't houseold wiring as Wago's or real terminals are better for that anyway. It's more for smaller low-voltage hobby projects, chicken wire, making twisted pairs, etc.

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#22

Post by nikisweeting »

weinzierl wrote: post #13

Maybe use a small rebar wire twister with the hook replaced by pliers. Something similar to this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ExFB-mbvt9k These things need to be fast because it's usually done by piece workers. There are smaller versions used to tie up sacks also.

Thats a good idea. Ideally I want something that doesn't have to apply much tension on the wires, but a smaller version with the right pitch angle on its internal threads might work.

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#23

Post by nikisweeting »

wkipling wrote: post #14

The wire twisting pliers in the first picture are used for lock wire, not electrical wire and they are very good at that specific task. Used in industries such as aviation to prevent movement/rotation of a fastener or a part such as a screw on oil filter.

Yeah but they they're usually too big for the work I have in mind, and not nearly as smooth as a potential pump-action equivalent.

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#26

Post by nikisweeting »

tussa wrote: post #25

I'm sure I saw a method of making a circuit that used twisting instead of soldering. Apparently it was used quite a bit in the days gone by. Anyone knows what that night have been?

Are you thinking of "Wire wrap construction" perhaps?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_wrap

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#27

Post by linsomniac »

tussa wrote: post #25

I'm sure I saw a method of making a circuit that used twisting instead of soldering. Apparently it was used quite a bit in the days gone by. Anyone knows what that night have been?

Probably not what you're talking about, but everyone should know the Lineman's Splice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Union_splice

TL;DR: It's a method of joining two wires that won't pull apart under load; the wire will break before the splice comes apart. Add solder, trim any pointy bits, and you have a NASA approved joint.

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#28

Post by mauvehaus »

zokier wrote: post #10
OJFord wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Earths are to be connected to a single point, not multiple terminals of a Wago block or similar, in the UK at least. Twisting is not afaik a requirement, but it's common, and adds to the security of it. (At least, as long as the solid core hasn't been twisted and untwisted repeatedly and near the point of breaking.) OP appears to be doing it to make a fatter gauge cable out of smaller ones though?

> Twisting is not afaik a requirement, but it's common, and adds to the security of it. Not clear what sort of connection you are referring to here? And how twisting improves it? But I'd be surprised if there wasn't better option available

Wire nuts, likely. The directions on the last box I bought say that twisting is allowed but not required. I would think the reason to twist is to improve the mechanical connection, not the electrical one.

It should make it more resilient to grabbing two wires and pulling in opposite directions. Which shouldn't happen in practice anyway, but, you know.

Regardless of how you feel about wire nuts, if you're in the US, your house is probably full of them.

Re: Idea for a new hand tool: Automatic Wire Twisting Pliers

#30

Post by nikisweeting »

xyst wrote: post #29

Sounds like this person just needs a wire nut twister attachment for their power drill tool. Professional electricians use something like this to finish the outlet boxes. https://www.amazon.com/T-Line-Twisting-BOWT-001-Power-Access...

As mentioned in other comments below, the whole point is that I don't want a big unwieldy tool, it should be the size of the gun-type automatic wire strippers.
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