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Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

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dvanlanen

Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 122
Location: Madison, WI

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:00 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

I have been reading my new copy of the AeroElectric Connection manual, as well as the website information, and I have not found any specific recommendation for the best wire stripping tool.  My understanding is that the most important aspect of a good tool is that it does not nick the underlying wire strands when stripping insulation.  Can the list recommend a good tool from personal experience?  

Thanks,  

Dave Van Lanen  

Madison, WI  

601XL – Elevator (preparing to wire RA elevator trim servo)        [quote][b]

Gig Giacona

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1416
Location: El Dorado Arkansas USA

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

I got the most expensive one Radio Shack had on the shelf and it has worked pretty well for me.



http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062787&cp=2032058.2032237.2032319&parentPage=family



I don't use the crimper that is on it.

_________________
W.R. "Gig" Giacona
601XL Under Construction
See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR

Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:39 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

Dave,



For AWG16 and larger, I use a stripper from Radio Shack; the kind that grips the wire; has calibrated, sharpened slots at the start of the strip, and pivots to complete the strip.



For anything smaller I use a technique acquired in an Army electronics school.  With a diagonal cutter ("dikes") carefully score around the start of the strip.  Then, with your hand around the dikes at the pivot point, apply gentle pressure at the strip point and pull.  It takes a little practice, but it is easy to get the hang of. Effective, quick and easy.



Jay in Dallas CH 601XL N2630J "Lil Bruiser"

"Dave VanLanen" <davevanlanen(at)sbcglobal.net> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  I have been reading my new copy of the AeroElectric Connection manual, as

well as the website information, and I have not found any specific

recommendation for the best wire stripping tool.  My understanding is that

the most important aspect of a good tool is that it does not nick the

underlying wire strands when stripping insulation.  Can the list recommend a

good tool from personal experience?



Thanks,

Dave Van Lanen

Madison, WI

601XL - Elevator (preparing to wire RA elevator trim servo)

johnd(at)data-tech.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

Hi Dave,

 

 I've got the Stripmaster from stein air at http://www.steinair.com/tools.htm. Its a bit pricey but does a nice job and certainly doesn't nick the wire.

 

 John

 

 Dave VanLanen wrote: [quote]         Recommended Wire Stripping Tool    

I have been reading   my new copy of the AeroElectric Connection manual, as well as the website information,   and I have not found any specific recommendation for the best wire stripping tool.  My understanding is that the most important aspect of a good tool is that it does not nick the underlying wire strands when stripping insulation.  Can the list recommend a good tool from personal experience?   

Thanks,   

Dave Van Lanen   

Madison, WI   

601XL – Elevator (preparing to wire RA elevator trim servo)       	  Quote: 	
		  



 href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

 href="http://forums.matronics.com">http://forums.matronics.com

 href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
 [b]

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:19 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

If you search the Matronics aeroelectric list archives you should find some leads. There are automatic strippers and then there are automatic strippers. The ones like Radio Shack sells are automatic but they still have sharp cutting blades which can nick the wires. The better (and more expensive) ones basically put a dent in the insulation and then pull it apart. The part that puts the dent in the insulation is not a sharp edge. With practice you can do the same operation with a cheap pair of the strippers that are two flat bars joined with a bolt and with a V notch in both bars. Just get a grip on the insulation with the V’s, push away and increase your squeeze until the insulation parts. The metal will never touch the conductor. But it takes practice to develop a feel.  

   

Back in Dec 2005 I bought one of the expensive automatic strippers from a guy named Gary Edwards (gary21sn(at)hotmail.com) on the aeroelectric list. I doubt that he has any more but this is what he wrote at the time:  

   

“More info on the wire strippers from my e-mail from last night.  

   

IDEAL Stripmaster - Model 45-1610-1    

   

     Has 16 to 26 gauge aircraft wire strip die  

   

     Made in the USA  

   

This tool is the best wire stripper I have ever used.  It is truly a "one squeeze" automatic wire stripper.  With one squeeze, it grips the wire at the insulation, cleanly pulls the insulation off the wire.  Release the spring loaded handle and the tool releases its grip on the wire.  No cut wire strands.  

   

The stripping die has separate sized stripping holes for 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 gauge aircraft wire (die part number: 88A081X).  So, no tool adjustments are necessary for different size wire.  It is ready to work right out of the box.  

   

This wire stripper is the "bench mark" that all others are measured by.  This is the one that Bob Knuckolls wrote about and has pictures of in his article in the AeroElectric Connection.  

   

If you are searching around for Ideal Stripmaster wire strippers, make sure you search for the model 45-1610 as it is the specific one for aircraft wire.”  

   

-- Craig  

       

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Dave VanLanen

 Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 11:57 AM

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool  

  

  

   

I have been reading my new copy of the AeroElectric Connection manual, as well as the website information, and I have not found any specific recommendation for the best wire stripping tool.  My understanding is that the most important aspect of a good tool is that it does not nick the underlying wire strands when stripping insulation.  Can the list recommend a good tool from personal experience?  

Thanks,  

Dave Van Lanen  

Madison, WI  

601XL – Elevator (preparing to wire RA elevator trim servo)      	  Quote: 	
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n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

The best thing is thermal strippers. You can find them by doing a google

search for "thermal stripper"



They will not nick the wires at all. They will cost a bit, but if you're really

picky they are the best way to go.



Jeff

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

Do the thermal strippers work with tefzel?



-- Craig



--

n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

That's the only thing I have ever used them for to be honest. I think other

wire types might not work so well for thermal stripping. One thing is that

there is smoke produced when you do it, so an open door and a fan are a

good thing.



You adjust the temp first, then basically you just clamp on the wire where

you want to cut the insulation, rotate the tool. Release it. Then you grab 

the insulation and tug it off. It does not even disturb the twist of the wires.



I used one exclusively for about three years at a job I had. They are 

very nice tools. They are a bit expensive, though. I personally just use

a Klein conventional stripper for my airplane project. The key is clamp 

it on rotate it, then pull the insulation off with your fingers. That will avoid

90+ percent of the nicks.



Regards,

Jeff

Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

The Stripmaster I bought and am using is the one from B & C Speciality Products, Inc. and it's the model 45-097 Ideal Stripmaster.



Used it on Tefzel 16-26 AWG wire, no nicks.



YMMV



Their website location for this tool:

http://www.bandc.biz/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?9X358218

_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/

dvanlanen

Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 122
Location: Madison, WI

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

I received a number of good tool references from the list (thank you),

however these tools are all limited to a range of about 16 to 26 AWG wire.

What are builders using for larger diameter wire, such as for the engine and

charging system, etc.? 



Dave Van Lanen

Madison, WI

601XL - Elevator

Time: 08:34:11 PM PST US

Subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

From: "Ron Lendon" <rlendon(at)comcast.net>

The Stripmaster I bought and am using is the one from B & C Speciality

Products,

Inc. and it's the model 45-097 Ideal Stripmaster.



Used it on Tefzel 16-26 AWG wire, no nicks.



YMMV



Their website location for this tool:

http://www.bandc.biz/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?9X358218



--------

Ron Lendon, Clinton Township, MI

Corvair Zodiac XL, ScrapBuilder 

http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon

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craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

For the really big cables (4 or 8 gauge) just cut a shallow slit all the way around the insulation with a single edge razor blade being careful not to cut all the way through the installation. Then either pull on the short piece of insulation or flex the cable which will cause the slit to split all the way open down to the conductor. I suspect a tubing cutter could also be used to make the slit in a more controlled fashion but haven’t tried it.  

-- Craig  

  

_____________________________________________

 From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com)] On Behalf Of Dave VanLanen

 Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 3:10 PM

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool  

  

I received a number of good tool references from the list (thank you), however these tools are all limited to a range of about 16 to 26 AWG wire.  What are builders using for larger diameter wire, such as for the engine and charging system, etc.?   

Dave Van Lanen  

Madison, WI  

601XL - Elevator 

  

Time: 08:34:11 PM PST US  

Subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool  

From: "Ron Lendon" <rlendon(at)comcast.net> 

  

The Stripmaster I bought and am using is the one from B & C Speciality Products,  

Inc. and it's the model 45-097 Ideal Stripmaster.  

Used it on Tefzel 16-26 AWG wire, no nicks.  

YMMV  

Their website location for this tool:  

http://www.bandc.biz/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?9X358218  

--------  

Ron Lendon, Clinton Township, MI  

Corvair Zodiac XL, ScrapBuilder   

http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon     [quote][b]

Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

Dave,



Been thinking about the question and thought this tool from Radio Shak might do the trick.  Its part number is 278-248.  It is made for coax cable but is has adjustable blades and the orange thing rotates to accommodate different size cable.  You could disable one of the cutters and only set the other to cut most of the way through.   It won't do everything, once you get it setup you will know it won't nick the wire.



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Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 4:34 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

Dave,  I've used that tool very successfully on large cables. Jay in Dallas

Do not archive



"Ron Lendon" <rlendon(at)comcast.net> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



Dave,



Been thinking about the question and thought this tool from Radio Shak might do the trick.  Its part number is 278-248.  It is made for coax cable but is has adjustable blades and the orange thing rotates to accommodate different size cable.  You could disable one of the cutters and only set the other to cut most of the way through.   It won't do everything, once you get it setup you will know it won't nick the wire.



Pictures below



--------

Ron Lendon, Clinton Township, MI

Corvair Zodiac XL, ScrapBuilder 

http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=170528#170528





Attachments: 



http://forums.matronics.com//files/rs_278_248_001_small_264.jpg

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:36 am Post subject: Recommended Wire Stripping Tool

I use an Ideal Swivel-Blade Cable Stripper for large cables.

See: http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/4440-0068



You set the blade depth with the thumb screw, then just clamp it on the 

cable and turn it around the cable once and pull it straight off the 

end. You can probably get them at a local electrical contractor supply 

house also.



Of course, if you are only going to strip a few cables, careful 

application of a sharp knife will be much cheaper. I have a set of these 

because I used to work as an electrician. These things save a lot of 

time and effort when you're doing it all the time.



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 I received a number of good tool references from the list (thank you), 

 however these tools are all limited to a range of about 16 to 26 AWG 

 wire.  What are builders using for larger diameter wire, such as for the 

 engine and charging system, etc.?

 

-- 
	


Bryan Martin

Zenith 601XL N61BM

Ram Subaru, Stratus redrive

Do Not Archive

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

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