| You could always do it by hand! I was taught when in the RAF, took five minutes to learn the principles then a bit of practice is all it takes.
The problem with lockwire pliers is that to the untrained they can be useless for the simple reason that it's not that easy to get a "feel" for how tight the twisting is. Too tight and the wire will overstress and snap.
I have a set of pliers in the toolbox but never use them, unless I'm twisting a long run of wire, say around the sprocket bolts, and then it's only cos I'm lazy. If anyone wants me to show them how to do this, I would be happy to at the first meet. It really is not difficult - honest! | 
Threaded Mode