glad you like this advanced technique
once you have the technique, there really isnt any need for extra tools, you get a better feel for it too.
with thin solid core wire i will sometimes use a slightly dulled blade to reduce the risk of scoring the wire. its not really that big a problem though considering you usually solder over it and add strain relief (at least i do to every joint pretty much)
I have a Radioshack wire stripper that does a good enough job and relatively cheap.
RadioShack® Heavy-Duty Automatic Wire Cutter/Stripper - RadioShack.com
RadioShack® Heavy-Duty Automatic Wire Cutter/Stripper - RadioShack.com
This is what I use:
Works great, just need to be careful so the cut is not too deep.
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Kolbjørn
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Works great, just need to be careful so the cut is not too deep.
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Kolbjørn
For anything smaller than 20gauge you can use a lighter. Just light up the end you wish to strip and hold it to the flame for about 2secs and quickly pinch the end with your thumb and index finger and pull away (trust me it will be a little warm, but you'll get the hang of it). Its so easy that you'll do it everytime you strip them wires.
I learn this from a friend of mine that has no tools. I always use to use my teeth, but now I just go for the lighter. Am pretty sure someone here has done it with a lighter before.
I learn this from a friend of mine that has no tools. I always use to use my teeth, but now I just go for the lighter. Am pretty sure someone here has done it with a lighter before.
The commercial standard seems to be the Ideal strippers. They're accurate and won't nick the strands if used properly. When new, they do well with Teflon insulation, though a thermal stripper is the cats pajamas for that. Though some despise them, sometimes I like the automatic strippers. The best ones don't have blades like the Ideal, but a sort of wide piece of metal where the cutting edge is in the center. They're only for freehand use and don't get into tight spots at all. I'll go out on a limb and suggest that any manual method using knifes and such will leave at least microscopic nicks on the strands that are highly undesirable. You'll fail your wiring and soldering course if any nicks are present!
I've always wanted an automatic stripper for hard enameled wire, but those come a bit dear. They usually have orbiting and spinning abrasive drums.
I've always wanted an automatic stripper for hard enameled wire, but those come a bit dear. They usually have orbiting and spinning abrasive drums.
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