MTFCA Forum

Do you use the same safety wire for the 4th main, the differential, the magneto, and the front radius rod? Is it a special type of wire or can it be purchased at any hardware store? What is the best size? Thank you.

I bought a spool of 0.032 stainless steel safety wire at a swap meet years ago and use it for everything. I also bought a pair of safety wire pliers at the same swap meet. Not really necessary, but they do make for a neater job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsPR9EB4OGo

I use .041 Stainless, Commonly available at good car parts and/or hardware stores. Not sure if mine came from Napa or Harbor Freight.

I use .041 aircraft grade 302 stainless steel safety wire for the bigger nuts like the wishbone ball studs. Aircraft safety wire spinning pliers do a nice neat job, not necessary, but that is the way I did on aircraft maintenance.

Don't use ordinary wire. You can get aircraft safety wire from a number of sources. I like Aircraft Spruce <https://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/s ... ety%20wire>

20 years or more ago, I went to a farm clearing sale some 250 miles from home. I can't remember what I was chasing, but I can remember a purchase I made.It cost me $1 for 8 or 10 rolls of soft galvanised wire. It had been used, but rolled back up into coils of indeterminate length. It is my go to for any wiring needs, from model T safety wiring to clips for the chookhouse netting. I am down to my second last roll now, but at nearly 75, I reckon I have enough to see me out.

Allan from down under.

I use stainless aircraft safety wire for most of what I do. It typically comes in .016, .020, .025, .032, .041. and .057". There is also .020 copper for breakaway use.
Many hardware stores still sell "bailing wire" which is used for bailing hay. It is soft and ductile, easy to bend, and very tough. I keep a roll on hand to hold things together for ease of assembly. It is quite inexpensive, usually $2 -$3 per roll.
I always thought "bailing wire" was a perjorative, until I started using it. Now I know how good it really is.

William, I think your hardware shop sells baling wire for hay bales. Bailing is what you do when your boat is sinking.

Allan from down under.

I was given the remnants of a roll of .035 inch stainless mig weld wire. I haven't had to use it yet or test it for brittleness, though.

Stainless safety wire is annealed, that makes it easier to bend and less prone to breaking after bending. that is the main difference from normal wire or baling wire, also the tensile strength is a little better than other steel wire.
The .032 and .041 sizes are the most common and are both very good for use in your T's innards, because the stainless wire is not magnetic a broken off piece (a rare occasion with safety wire) will not stick to your magneto and do damage where you don't want it.
And yes, a safety wire pliers will make a better and neater job of it.