Wire insertion tool

[Dan_s_young]

I'm looking to buy a wire insertion tool to make my accessory installs go a bit smoother and quicker. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on what tool to buy? My options are:

Lisle
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IXSECT6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Thexton
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K1IEAC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Snap on
https://store.snapon.com/Wire-Insertion-Tools-Wire-Insertion-Tool-Set-P887953.aspx

I'm almost leaning towards the snap on for the several different adapters.

 

[FigureItOut]

Don't bother, just make them. Seriously. Take some aluminum tube and an old screwdriver handle and make it exactly how you want it. I use mine all the time.

 

[MFolks]

Find a hardware store that carries K & S tubing,it comes in SS,Aluminum and Brass.Ace hardware is one place to try,and Hobby shops too.

http://www.hobbylinc.com/K-S-Hobby-and-Craft-Metal-Tubing-Sheets-Strips-Wire-Rods

 

[skruft]

I have never used or even seen one of these, so thanks for the info.

 

[Brownsfan]

I use the Thexton. I have also left a couple in fire walls with wire running through.

 

[homebuilt burner]

I like my Thexton.

 

[Brownsfan]

I guess it goes without saying. Look before you go pushing that through fire walls. I had a Co worker push one through and damaged the wire harness. He didn't realize the wires ran up. Put the thing right through the middle of the wire bundle. I was going to try and repair the wires but we ordered the harness and replaced it. Only took 4 hours.

 

[Dan_s_young]

Don't bother, just make them. Seriously. Take some aluminum tube and an old screwdriver handle and make it exactly how you want it. I use mine all the time.

Good advice! I'm kind of ashamed to say For some reason I didn't even think about doing this.

 

[DHCrocks]

I use a large 24" zip tie, cut off the head and tape the wire to the band. The big zip tie is stiff enough so that it can push through and thin so clearance is good. the wire is tapped at the back side so that the thin part slips through first to make the hole.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Good idea man.

 

[American Locomotive]

I always just electrical taped the wires to a coat hanger, and pulled it through wherever I needed.

If it needed chafe protection, I'd just tape the whole bundle in wire loom to the coat hanger and pull it through.

 

[dannyh982]

The best I way I found when I used to install car audio in the 90's was a car antenna ground to a point on grinder. Tape the wire to antenna and push through.

 

[Dan_s_young]

I always just electrical taped the wires to a coat hanger, and pulled it through wherever I needed.

If it needed chafe protection, I'd just tape the whole bundle in wire loom to the coat hanger and pull it through.

This is how I used to do it as well. My issue is sometimes the wire slides off the coat hanger when it hits the grommet. Or I've have it where the coat hanger bends and goes into the wiring harness causing damage. The nice thing about the insertion tool is it is rigid and pierces through where you want it to.

I'm going to modify an old tool (door panel clip tool), and I've purchased a section of brake tubing. I'm planning on making 3 different length of insertion tubes, like a 3", 6" and 12". A hole is going to be drilled through the handle for the wire to pass through, and I'm going to thread the outside of the brake tube sections, as well as the inside of the handle so they can be connected. Not sure if it's going to work, but it's going to cost me $4 and an old unused tool to try.

 

[Dirtydan69]

I use a large 24" zip tie, cut off the head and tape the wire to the band. The big zip tie is stiff enough so that it can push through and thin so clearance is good. the wire is tapped at the back side so that the thin part slips through first to make the hole.

Learned that one from an audio installer. Works great.

 

[DHCrocks]

It the wire gets hung up lube it up. I spray on some lubricant, corrosion block (like wd40) and it slides right in. The zip tie is soft so it won't pierce the harness like a coat hanger could.

 

[Badger 13]

I have one very similar to the Thexton. It works great, fast, easy and simple. As others of said, just make sure what is on the other side since it is quite sharp.

 

[stercorarius]

I had a Thexton before it got stolen. It was pretty nice. I work in the dairy industry and this time around I think I'm going to just get a large gauge hypodermic needle from the vet.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[Dan_s_young]

So $4 dollars later here is what I came up with. It's not as pretty as the snap on one, but should serve the same purpose.

The tubing was just a length of brake line, tips were angle cut and I put a sharp edge on them with a file. The handle was from an old trim clip tool I no longer used. I threaded the outside of the brake tube with m10x1.5 and tapped the handle to match.

 

[FigureItOut]

So $4 dollars later here is what I came up with. It's not as pretty as the snap on one, but should serve the same purpose.

The tubing was just a length of brake line, tips were angle cut and I put a sharp edge on them with a file. The handle was from an old trim clip tool I no longer used. I threaded the outside of the brake tube with m10x1.5 and tapped the handle to match.

That's almost exactly how I made mine, but I didn't put any nuts on it. Did you drill out the back of the handle too, so you don't necessarily have to remove it to insert your wire? For mine, I just made one size. I only use it through the firewall and even for a single wire I'll always use loom, so I just made it to fit my 1/4" ID loom.

 

[Dan_s_young]

Yes, what I did was I drilled out the back of the handle with a stepped uni-bit. I then put another piece of brake tube (flared end to the rear of the handle so it is easier to put a wire through) through the handle to meet up where the attachments thread in.

 

[zktk01]

Some nice ideas you guys have. I may have to rig up one of those screwdrivers.