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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

#51

Post by zokier »

OJFord wrote: post #44
zokier wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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

To a single point as I said, I'm not really sure how else to describe. Could be ring terminals crimped on and under a single screw, that would be better. But twisted cores under screw beats not twisted under screw - even just twisted and no screw (as is common especially in say light fittings that are double insulated/no metal to begin with, no Earth point) is probably better.

So screw/stud termination. Yes, ring or spade(/fork) lug would be much better than bare wires, twisted or not. As I understand it, crimping is almost always the preferred way to terminate/connect wires.

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

#52

Post by OJFord »

zokier wrote: post #51
OJFord wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To a single point as I said, I'm not really sure how else to describe. Could be ring terminals crimped on and under a single screw, that would be better. But twisted cores under screw beats not twisted under screw - even just twisted and no screw (as is common especially in say light fittings that are double insulated/no metal to begin with, no Earth point) is probably better.

So screw/stud termination. Yes, ring or spade(/fork) lug would be much better than bare wires, twisted or not. As I understand it, crimping is almost always the preferred way to terminate/connect wires.

Yep, there's often not a lug though, and they'll either be twisted and flapping about, or in the (same side of, if applicable) a single terminal; in the latter case I would think twisting is better than not, or better than separate straight crimps. Certainly not worse.

It was just an example of when it's done, I was never trying to say it's the absolute best, no other way.

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

#53

Post by nikisweeting »

ryandrake wrote: post #48
nikisweeting wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Yea one of the flaws of traditional safety wire twisting tools is their size and inability to get into really tight spaces. The solution in the article still seems too big. I'd buy something like it but only if it was the size of a small ratchet.

Yeah it's hard to depict when there's no existing examples, I was imagining it should be something as small as a pair of side cutters or small pliers. I tried ChatGPT image generation and it failed miserably haha.

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

#54

Post by nikisweeting »

bArray wrote: post #31
nikisweeting wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

You can get very small drills, I have a USB powered one with enough torque to twist wires.

That's not a bad idea, I have a small electric screwdriver that could work. What I really want is something with a spinning head angled 90º facing forward though, like the gun-type automatic wire strippers [1]. It's a lot easier to hold a trigger-type interface and reset it quickly than a screwdriver-grip-type interface.

[1] Like this: https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/88cd3519-84a4-413e-b266-1...

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

#55

Post by londons_explore »

avar wrote: post #49
Mashimo wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There's places where you can substitute wago, but often not, e.g. when working with limited space, e.g. repairing a broken wire harness in a car, or similar. Don't fear! The wago inline splicing connector is here! https://www.wago.com/global/electrical-interconnections/disc...

I knew about that, actually. It's way too big still for some uses, and I'm guessing won't deal well with anything that repeatedly lightly pulls on the wire (e.g. a trunk hinge). But for some other cases it's great.

Heat shrink solder connectors are the thing to use in this case:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/dp/B073RMRCC3

Waterproof, tension proof, will handle more current than the wire itself, hard to install wrong, and very reliable (ie. No fires)

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

#56

Post by petee »

ovi256 wrote: post #32
BrandoElFollito wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why are you saying that wagos are for temporary connections?

This seems to be some sort of meme existing in the US electricians mindspace, which prefer use of cheaper wirenuts on twisted wire. Wagos are approved for permanent connections in the whole world.

From what I've heard many electricians are wary because of old poorly designed back-stabbed outlets, thus anything held by a tiny burr & pressure is forever untrustworthy.

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

#58

Post by dreamcompiler »

idiotsecant wrote: post #38
jstanley wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're not twisting electrical wires together to make an electrical connection, it's just to keep a bundle of wires together.

The twisting is in fact part of the electrical connection. On a good wire nut connection the wire nut is just insulating the bundle and if it falls off the bundle is still secure.

No. If you use a good wire nut (i.e. use a good brand, have experience, and never reuse a wire nut), the nut itself makes the electrical connection. A good wire nut application will never fall off. If it does, you didn't attach it right. I concede this is a function of experience and it's not foolproof.

All that having been said, I still pre-twist because it helps keep the wires together which makes it easier to put the nut on in the first place -- especially if you're connecting more than two wires.

Edit: One point I left out is that if you don't pre-twist, correct attachment means you should put the nut on with enough tension that the nut itself causes the wires to twist together. This hurts your fingers if you do it all day, so using a wire nut twisting tool is recommended.

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

#59

Post by MawKKe »

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.

The traditional(?) version of that tool[1] could also maybe work if you are allowed to make a loop of the wires for twisting. The tool itself is just a hook on a angled axle that rotates in the handle. It's called 'surrauskoukku' in finnish, not sure about the english name

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1BJQorsaCQ

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