<center> # New Tool Idea: Automatic Wire Twister Pliers <i>Originally published 2023-12-19 by Nick Sweeting on <a href="https://docs.monadical.com/s/blog#-Hardware">blog.sweeting.me</a>.</i> <hr/> </center> [TOC] # Problem When twisting electrical or safety wire together, it's annoying to have to twist them with your fingers or try to spin pliers more than 360º without releasing your grip. # Solution A pair of pliers that mechanically grips and then twists the head 360º in one motion. With a ratcheting swivel head and a piston arm to spin it one turn for each pump of the handles, the pliers automatically reset with a spring and can be used to twist safety wire or electrical wires with much greater speed and repeatability than existing methods. --- # Pictures These things already exist, but they're clunky and they *suck* for tiny wire: <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/6ce86125-e999-424b-9c24-3467f5024908.png" style="width: 90%; max-width: 250px"/> <br/><br/> <b>...</b><br/> <b>I want something more like this:</b> <br/> <div style="display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 270px; vertical-align: top;"> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/88cd3519-84a4-413e-b266-113b0a483b67.png" style="width: 100%;"/> <small>$10 automatic wire stripper</small> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; width: 50px; vertical-align: top; text-align: center; font-size: 40px"> <br/><b>+</b> </div> <div style="display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 400px; vertical-align: top;"> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/217e7242-c3a8-45d3-b1b0-a5328b29d9d9.png" style="width: 90%; "/> <small><br/>$50 wall-powered automatic wire twister</small> </div> <br/><br/> using something like this hand-cranked flashlight mechanism to turn gripping force into rotation <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/5390495f-1a87-4bc5-99d3-cb9f59702efa.png" style="width: 90%; max-width: 290px"/> + <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/f5c37452-0221-4030-b4bb-533bdb101d00.png" style="width: 90%; max-width: 410px"/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/35ca3550-8693-4df8-ba67-202192e27fc5.png" style="display: block; margin: auto; float: none"/><br/> <center><b>+</b></center><br/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/084a489c-3328-4edd-aaad-013b94eff21b.png" alt="Wire Wrap Tool"/> --- # Sub Components - **Plier Jaws**: needlenose-style jaws that grab a set of wires tightly and ratchets closed (like forceps), the jaws connect the base through the swivel head - **Swivel Head:** interfaces between the handles and the jaws, and allows them to rotate in one direction only (with reversible ratchet lever like a socket wrench). it's spun forward 180º by a piston arm linkage coming from the handles, and the piston arm resets back to 0º on each pump - **Grip Handles:** spring loaded open by default. each actuation pinches the jaws shut and swivels the head 360º in one motion - **extras:** built-in cutting blade and crimping jaws for common sizes below main gripper jaws --- # Related Products - https://www.amazon.com/VCELINK-Automatic-Stripper-Professional-Adjustable/dp/B08G48R47N/ - https://www.amazon.com/Neepanda-Connector-Accessories-Simultaneously-Stripping/dp/B07MDC7NS6/ - https://www.amazon.com/Twisting-Aircraft-Automatic-Twister-Industry/dp/B08LPKGXVP/ - https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Twisting-Machine-Twister-Stripper/dp/B0C96K5QG7/ - https://kencove.com/fence/detail.php?code=TWTG - https://uk.farnell.com/metcal/g200-r3278/wire-wrap-tool-manual-30-22awg/dp/8264414 - https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-wire-twisting.html?spm=a2g0o.home.search.0 # Discussion - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39127304