Picked up a tip from an old Delta mechanic about safety wire twisting

I was hanging out at the break room at the hangar in Atlanta yesterday and this retired Delta guy, probably 70 years old, was telling stories. He mentioned how he always twists safety wire just one extra turn past what feels right, especially on critical engine components. Said he learned that after a Pratt & Whitney engine had a bolt back out during a test run back in '89. That stuck with me because I usually go by feel and stop when it looks tight. Tried it on a cowling latch this morning and honestly the extra turn made the wire sit way more snug. Has anyone else heard a tip like that from an old timer that actually made a difference in their daily work?

3 comments

3 Comments

blakem8214h agoTop Commenter

Nah @keith116, old Delta guys know exactly how much extra twist that wire can actually take.

keith11617h ago

Extra turn past what feels right" - I mean, overtwisting can actually weaken the wire, no?

ivan52214h ago

Yeah I used to think you always gotta go a little further just to be safe but honestly this thread is changing my mind. Seen too many guys snap wires from overdoing it, makes sense to stop where it feels right.