Discovered a trick for getting old lockwire out of tight spots using a dental pick from the dollar store

Last Tuesday I was working on a Cessna 172 cowling in a hangar out near Bakersfield and had this one lockwire twisted up in a corner I couldn't get pliers into. Spent like 20 minutes swearing at it. Then I remembered I had a dental pick set I bought for a buck at the 99 cent store a few months back. Bent the tip a little, hooked it under the wire, and popped it right out. Took maybe 30 seconds. That thing is now in my tool pouch for good. Any of you guys use random cheap tools for stuff like this or am I just looking for excuses to not buy proper gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

kevin_schmidt971mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah no joke, those cheap dental picks are legit for tight spots. I keep one in my box for getting at safety wire in weird angles. Dropped a screw behind a panel last month and fished it out with the same thing. Dollar store stuff is hit or miss but when it works it works.

barbara_taylor831mo ago

Didn't you used to swear by those expensive Snap-On picks though?