mm wrote:
I recently got an estate closeout, in a box of tools, a wire twist
tool that looks very much like this one.

http://www.stahlwilleaerospace.com/WireTwist.html

Except mine doesn't have the choice of left, right, and lock. Only
left.

I wonder if any of you have actually used a pair of wire twist pliers,
and what you used them for. At work, or around the house?

They look very useful but only for certain things, and I don't know
what.

The guy who had them had a burglar alarm business, or worked for one.
He installed.or he sold burglar alarms, not quite sure

I've seen these from a distance several times over the decades, but
I've never been so close to one before! I know if I just wait a
while, I'll need them, but I'm impatient.

Thanks a lot

Commonly referred to as safety wire pliers, and yes, I used them quite
a bit. Anything that flies is subject to bolts coming loose through
vibration. So they use special bolts with pin size holes through the
heads, run a length of safety wire through the hole, twist it with the
pliers, pass it through the next bolt, repeating as necessary. I
occasionally use one around the house, like wiring Christmas greenery
to a wire hoop.

Bob