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Sharkmouth

The Small Shop's Wire Wrangler

The latest tool from The Small Shop is the Wire Wrangler. Designed by John Geigle, of Masterpiece Models, it is a simple beautifully made machine as can be expected from The Small Shop.
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It arrives in a © ZipLoc bag fully assembled with instructions. Looking at the tool, we see several parts borrowed from other products such as the standard metal lined plastic knob, the spring, threaded and non threaded pins.


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The ingenuity of the design is the pliers action of the two semicircular halves which tighten at the tip before the end where the knob is located. This grabs the wire placed in any sixteen of the seventeen landings provided to allow for grab handles.
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The sizes of the steps, in inches, are:


  • 0.10
  • 0.15
  • 0.20
  • 0.25
  • 0.30
  • 0.35
  • 0.40
  • 0.45
  • 0.50
  • 0.55
  • 0.60
  • 0.65
  • 0.70
  • 0.75
  • 0.80
  • 0.85
  • 0.90

There is a pin located at the 0.70 inch location so a wire cannot be run through.
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However, it is possible to pinch the tip of the wire and create a 'C' shape or a spring by wrapping around the step.

This tool is super simple in use. Pass the wire through the open clamp and tighten the knob. Bend the ends over. For sizes small than 0.70 inch, slide off the front of the tool. Larger sizes need to have the tool loosened a bit more and the item is removed by sliding laterally. Clip the ends to length and apply to the model.

For springs, clamp the tip of the wire or solder and wrap around the correctly sized step. The only limitation is the 0.15 inch length of the steps.

Being aluminum, use only copper wire, soft brass, or solder. It is a good idea for brass to anneal it by heating before using in this tool.

A beautifully made product that works well. It is not dangerous around children (a consideration whenever I buy tools) but it is expensive at $49.99USD. Like most quality tools this should last a lifetime and it does have a lifetime manufacturing guarantee. It is recommended as it is more versatile than my previous grab handle making tool. My thanks goes to The Small Shop (US) for the sample.
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Sharkmouth
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