Tool for bending TIG rod to make a TIG cotter

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
The pliers I use in that video are our Rigger's Pliers. They have detents milled into the jaws that were originally there to make it easier to grab the heads of cotter pins. I later discovered that the work very well to squeeze the legs of cotters together without letting them slip out. And that they allow you to grab the bent corners of TIG rod to finish the bending. I am always reluctant to recommend things we sell here, but they really do work.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Stumble]

I have never seen that trick with TIG wire before, but what a great tip! Now I need to go to the welding shop and the boat. Thanks for making my to do list longer.

[Anton B]

Also, you could bend the first two bends in a vise, and then slip it in and do the rest of them.
Also note that inn the video, Brion is using silicon bronze rod, as opposed to stainless steel. It is likely that the bronze is easier to bend.

Anton

[bplipschitz]

I know I'm late to this party, but I use bicycle spokes. Stainless steel, much harder to work with, but I have a ready free supply of them.