Wire Gripper needed. Read Me!

[CSLufkin]

I need a very small gripper, capable of slipping over the end of a .010" wire and grabbing onto when pulled axially. It also needs to have a means of releasing, obviously.

 

[Barry1961]

Would hemostats work? You could bond some urethane to the jaws or cover with tubing to protect the wire.

If you are willing to shell out $35(USD) you could get a miniature drill extension, they go down to .013”

http://www.whitney-tool.com/html/miniature.html

Barry1961

 

[CSLufkin]

We use hemostats now but need a more ergonomically pleasing option. The extensions look interesting, but not small enough. Anyone know of any devices similar to a mountain climbing ascender, or sailboat rope grab, only on a tiny scale. I would like to purchase something, or at least I want to investigate it thoroughly before I design it. I hate to reinvent the wheel.
By the way, the wire I am pulling on is a bare nitinol wire, not a wire for electronics.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Barry1961]

You might be able to find some watch repair tools that are more user friendly.

They have automated grippers for very small wire in electronics industry. Might get some design ideas.

Barry1961

 

[TheTick]

Look for "pin vise" in Grainger catalog.