Wire tie tool

**mklotz** · Sep 1, 2015, 09:30 AM

Clamptite makes a neat tool for forming wire ties. It's function is described on their website...

Buy ClampTite Tools and Wires

[Be sure to watch the videos describing its use.]

I had an application for such a tool but I really didn't want to lay out the $70 for what seems to me to be a pretty simple thing. So, muttering to myself "this is why I have a machine shop", I made my own...

The body is half-inch 12L14, the screw is 1/4-28 and the pins are 3/32" roll pins. The tip has a shallow 1/16" wide slot milled into it to anchor the wire when making double wraps...

Shown in the first picture is one of my uses for it - securing silicone aquarium air tubing to brass fittings with a double wrap of soft iron florist wire.

If I were to use heavier wire such as safety wire, I would probably make a larger version of the tool but, for now, this one does what I need.

**kbalch** · Sep 1, 2015, 02:43 PM

Thanks Marv! I've added your Wire Tie Tool to our Miscellaneous category, as well as to your builder page: mklotz's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Wire Tie Tool by mklotz

tags: tool, safety wire

**Hooverra** · Sep 3, 2015, 07:11 PM

I saw one of these a couple years ago and thought it was neat so I also made one. It gets very little use, you can buy a lot of proper clamps for $70. Mine was made from a scrap of 4130 tubing with a mild steel point braised on. The slot was cut by hand with a dremal tool and 1/4" all thread with a wing nut and 2 roll pins finished it off. Fun to make.

Ralph

**tberrygt** · Feb 20, 2016, 08:32 PM

I built a similar tool, I copied the "Haywire" tool. I have only used it a couple times but plan on using it when I build a PVC greenhouse this summer.