Milbar vs. SK Safety Wire Pliers

[Makapuu]

I want to buy a set of Safety Wire pliers for the silly task of spinning (or rather unspinning) those twist ties that hold kid toys to the cardboard. I have a six year old son, and find myself doing this chore by hand several times a week. Using slip joint or Cobra pliers to do this spinning is too much of a hassle so I just do it by hand. Someone suggested this tool on another post, and influenced me to buy them. I want an ergonomic pair that is both reversible and self returning. In hunting down a set on the internet, it seems the SK and Milbar are both the most expensive and highest rated. I stick to quality tools only so primarily am looking at these two brands. Bikemaster is cheaper, and also highly rated.

I have seen a video of the Milbars in use, but have never seen or used one of these tools personally. Any suggestions or opinions on these brands (and model), or other brands you would recommend? I am not certain which size is best; what are the differences and advantages of a 6" vs. 9" plier? It seems that the handle with the larger puller would be more ergonomic (I have severe tendonitis in my hands, so ergonomics is important) and easy to use than those with the smaller round nut; any opinions?

 

[Jbizzle]

I have the pair of 6" Milbar's. I wanted them vs the 9" to get into tighter spaces. Seems like a lot if money just to untwist the ties on a kids toy. Why not just use a pair of dykes and cut them off?

I never knew SK made a pair. I will have too look those up. The auto return feature is a must if doing a lot of safety wire.

 

[Makapuu]

Why not just use a pair of dykes and cut them off?]

Because that is a far too efficient and uncomplicated solution, and means I don't buy a new tool. What a horrible idea!

 

[Jbizzle]

As you were. Commence to buying new tool.

 

[Steve in Louisiana]

It's OK, just admit it . . . you want to buy a new tool, a gadget for the excitement that comes with the research, the quest, then finally the 15 minutes of euphoria that comes when you actually have that "time saving + labor saving tool" in your hand.

I too suffer from this affliction . . . recently I wanted a Beaumont Belt Sander . . . they were out of stock for over 6 weeks, I went crazy checking their website 3 & 4 times a day. Then finally one day I called, and Bob answers the phone & says, "Steve I have (3) ready to ship" . . . I bought it, it sits in the box it came in along with the dozens of other tools I have purchased that still sit in their original boxes.

But it was worth it . . .

Steve

 

[Makapuu]

It's OK, just admit it . . . you want to buy a new tool, a gadget for the excitement that comes with the research, the quest, then finally the 15 minutes of euphoria that comes when you actually have that "time saving + labor saving tool" in your hand.

I too suffer from this affliction . . . recently I wanted a Beaumont Belt Sander . . . they were out of stock for over 6 weeks, I went crazy checking their website 3 & 4 times a day. Then finally one day I called, and Bob answers the phone & says, "Steve I have (3) ready to ship" . . . I bought it, it sits in the box it came in along with the dozens of other tools I have purchased that still sit in their original boxes.

But it was worth it . . .

Steve

What other possible reason is there to live?

 

[mds47588]

Milbar is a good choice, unaware of SK's (possibly another mfg rebranded...???).

I'm a small aircraft mechanic and use safety wire pliers daily. My weapon of choice is in the link below and they are reversing. The only thing I do to them is to squirt some kroil, LPS...etc on the handle return corkscrew every 6 months and they've served me well for almost four years.

http://store.snapon.com/Wire-Twiste...ushion-Throat-041-cap-8-3-4-long-P646513.aspx

 

[BikerDad]

uh, howzabout letting/making the kid open his own toys? The sooner he learns how to take stuff apart, the sooner you can get to teaching him how to put stuff back together.

 

[dragonballz]

We arent your wife. You dont need to make up some story about your kid's toys to justify buying a new tool.

 

[bobemmerich]

We arent your wife. You dont need to make up some story about your kid's toys to justify buying a new tool.

Agree 100%
LOL...When you finally do decide, make sure to put them in the "Show your new tool arrival" thread!

 

[ZRX61]

I have some cheapo imports. They are at least 25 years old. Nothing I've worked on has fallen out of the sky

... (at least not yet)

 

[Provincial]

Reversing is important if you are untwisting things. The original twist could be either right hand or left hand.

 

[espyking83]

MILBAR, easily.

But I would recommend one of those safety wire screwdrivers instead of dropping that kind of money on something you will rarely use. A lot of mechanics in my hangar don't even have decent safety wire pliers, lol.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I would bet the SK are rebranded Milbars.

 

[Makapuu]

We arent your wife. You dont need to make up some story about your kid's toys to justify buying a new tool.

Sorry...just an impulsive habit.

 

[gagreen]

I don't even untwist safety wire to remove it. Clip and yank lol. Milbar is my favorite. Rarely do I say that truck brands are a waste of money but safety wire pliers will last and last even under daily use. My snappy driver tried to sell me a used set of rebadged non reversing milbars for more than I paid for new reversing ones. The snap on link up top are rebranded milbars. http://crawfordtool.com/milbar.html

 

[Charles (in GA)]

There were only two brands, Milbar and Robinson, and Milbar bought out Robinson. For a while they continued to make the Robinson "Jet Twister" but I think they quit. Basically, the only US made safety wire pliers are Milbar, one of several different models. Don't matter who's name is on it, it came from the Milbar factory.

Any others are foreign made, most likely China.

Charles

 

[Steinmetz]

There were only two brands, Milbar and Robinson, and Milbar bought out Robinson. For a while they continued to make the Robinson "Jet Twister" but I think they quit. Basically, the only US made safety wire pliers are Milbar, one of several different models. Don't matter who's name is on it, it came from the Milbar factory.

Any others are foreign made, most likely China.

Charles

I still have my pair of Robinson Jet Twisters, obtained for a summer job during college about forty years ago. I think I paid about twelve dollars for them.