Wire Twister / Cutters

[st@rk]

Hi

I'm looking to buy a set of these - looking at Snap On but firstly would anyone recommend a make that's better?

I was looking to order the WTR1A model - it has a reversible wire twister so I can do left and right twists with the same tool and it has a spring return and control knob. It doesn't however have a wire retainer.

Can anyone tell me what the spring return and wire retainer are for? And if I am better to have these features or not? As I'd like to buy one pair once that will do me for ever more.

Use will be on race and rally cars.

Thanks!

 

[Jbizzle]

I have a pair of Milbar's and I am pretty sure they make them for Snap-On. By wire retainer I assume you mean the little orange rubber piece in the jaws. If so then mine have them and I recommend you get that feature to save the wire flying in places you don't want it after you cut it. The spring return is nice too it just pulls the handle back up after you pull it.

 

[neophyte]

Most USA tool companies rebrand theirs from Stride/Milbar/Imperial.

http://imperial-tools.com/content/milbar-wire-twister

If the pliers are US made than they're probably from the above. Sometimes you might find NOS, Surplus, or gently used, from one of the rebrands at a better price.

 

[st@rk]

Thanks Jbizzle - I think you're right with the rubber piece in the jaws, so I think I'll include that in the spec.

 

[rubicon01]

I use wire twisters all the time with work (aviation).
For the spring return, it pulls the twist slide out back into the housing ( what you pull to make it twist) I like the feature and when I use one that does not have it, well I just plain old don't like it, but others hate mine with the return ( plus most will have the return, I haven't seen one without for a long time now). The wire retainer is nice if you have to keep track of the wire cutting, as it doesn't throw it away. ( useful on planes when access is tight ). For race cars.... Only you can decided that.
As for buying one pair..... I've gone thru 4-5 pairs, as the little tang on the lock wears out.and then they pop open once you start to twist. Very annoying. As well the reversible plastic portion sometimes comes off, ( to switch between r/l) but usually it's just a matter of pushing it back on. The whole twisting section (end) is all made of plastic, but so far I haven't broken one of those yet, but you never know. But besides for that, that's the only issues I ever have with them.
Snap on has a new lock design, it haven't been around for too long I can get you the number once I get back to work if you like, but it was not cheep from what I remember.
As well depending on what wire size you plan of twisting, you may want to look for wave jaws, the don't do as much damage to the wire, causing it to break when twisting. But they are getting harder to find as they replace them with the normal teeth one as they get replaced.
If I was to buy another set, I'd go with the shortest (8") reversible and try to find wave jaws with wire retainers. But I routinely twist .20/.25.
As for the new lock design, they guys that have bought them like them a lot, I haven't used them enough to come up with a opinion of them yet, but I think I'd like to try them. Maybe the next set of twisters for me.

 

[st@rk]

Thanks for all the help!

Just to let you know I went with Snap On WTRW6A which has the return spring and the wire retainer (and funnily enough was cheaper than the versions without!?) so I'll let you know how I get on with them!

 

[woody 73]

Not what the op was after but it sure looks like fun...

 

[mattwgrizwald]

I talked with my snap on guy he told Milbar makes them foe snap on

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I picked up an Armstrong set made by Milbar brand new on ebay for like $30. Like others have said, search all the major brand manufacturers as they are all made by Milbar and can often be found much cheaper than "Milbars".

 

[sam.coll]

Another vote for Milbar - the industry standard, if you get the ones without the wire retainer you can fill that void with RTV to acheive same result.