(Joined the duplicate thread to this thread since it had replies) -- John
Roy Onward into the fog http://s1014.photobucket.com/albums/af269/looseclu/
Two years ago at the San Antonio train show a fellow in a small booth was demonstrating his wire stripper that would strip off insulation in the middle of a length of wire. I was really tempted but passed on it because I had a bunch of the suitcase connectors which I planned to use to connect my feeders to the bus wire. Two years later and those red suitcase connections are suffering from exposure to salt air (I live on an island). I've got a lot of connections to reconnect all of which are under the platform; that task is complicated by my need for bifocals to see close up. That stripper I passed on would help but after two hours of searching the web I've found nothing like it. Someone asked the same question on this forum (Jan 2010) but the replies were not what I'm looking for. The stripper in question cleaned about a half inch of insulation off the 14 gauge wire completely- not just pushing it back. It cut both sides and removed the insulation completely leaving the copper wire intact. Anyone out there know where such a tool can be purchased? It would be much appreciated (and save my fingers from many additional cuts) if you can help.
Hi!
I tore down my 11x15 two level HO layout a couple of years ago, and built a new one in its place. As I tend to solder connections, the need to strip wires "in line" was a must. On previous layouts I used an Xacto knife, an imprecise and unwieldy and frankly dangerous practice.
On this Forum, I too asked about in line wire strippers. Yup, I was told the "automatic" strippers would do the job. I was also told that "you get what you pay for", as you do with most all tools.
I ended up with a Klein automatic stripper. It was not available at the local big box stores, so I ordered it online. As I recall, it cost just over $40.
The stripper turned out to be well worth the money. Stripping in line wires in awkward places was not a problem. And, I could do what I needed to do with heavy insulated 14 gauge down to very thin 20 gauge. In short, this is one of the better tool buys I've ever made (and I have made a lot!), and I recommend it highly.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Never heard of one that does exactly what you say, but the Ideal Stripmaster, which you cna find at Home Depot or Lowes (it has a blue handle - many threads posted here about it) which cuts one side and pushes it back for middle of the wire strips, and removes the piece if it's an end of wire strip, works just fine, the nicest things I've ever used. ANywhere on my bust I want to attach a feeder, I just clamp on the Stripmaster and squeeze a bit to get a piece of bared wire, then wrap the stripped end of the feeder aroudn it and solder. Done. Solid and reliable.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I see we have two of the same topics going again...
Oh well.
rrinker I see we have two of the same topics going again... Oh well.
Read the reply carefully. Mobilman44 seems to indicate the automatic stripper will do what the OP is asking about, stripping wire inline, not stripping the end of the wire.
I have not tried this but will see if this will work. The Xacto is difficult to use under the layout.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
An Ideal Stripmaster will do what you want. I got mine at my local Lowes for around $25. It will strip a small section out of the middle of your bos with no problem...
http://www.lowes.com/pd_34029-12704-45-292_0__?productId=3095867&Ntt=ideal+stripmaster&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dideal%2Bstripmaster
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernier An Ideal Stripmaster will do what you want. I got mine at my local Lowes for around $25. It will strip a small section out of the middle of your bos with no problem... http://www.lowes.com/pd_34029-12704-45-292_0__?productId=3095867&Ntt=ideal+stripmaster&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dideal%2Bstripmaster Jim
I also own that product. It works very well for larger wire sizes, but it does not work well for smaller sizes, and it cannot strip flat telephone wire like the 6 conductor cable used to make Locnet cables.
I also own http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3932546 .
That one does do the things I just listed.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Ditto on the Ideal Stripmaster:
The Stripmaster comes in different wire gauge "windows" (e.g. 8-12 AWG, 16-22 AWG, etc.) so be sure you get the correct one for the wire you're trying to strip.
I have one at work and it works very well. Unlike Dave though, I have not had a problem stripping smaller gauge wire - i.e. 24-30 AWG.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
The Stripmaster will work fine. I tend to just cut the wire and use wirenuts. That way you can open the splice if you ever have to troubleshoot.
Springfield PA
I also find that wire nuts work very well.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
I also found the strippers work well and after soldering, I coat the wires with red and black liquid tape for each power feed, works for me ,Jim.
I fail to see just how these stripers will do what the OP asked . They are for stripping the insulation just on the ends of wires that have be cut.
I am not sure if there is a tool the will strip wire in the middle of a length of wire.
richg1998 rrinker: I see we have two of the same topics going again... Oh well. Read the reply carefully. Mobilman44 seems to indicate the automatic stripper will do what the OP is asking about, stripping wire inline, not stripping the end of the wire. I have not tried this but will see if this will work. The Xacto is difficult to use under the layout. Rich
rrinker: I see we have two of the same topics going again... Oh well.
And every reply in this thread is the same as the reply I made in the other one - Ideal Stripmaster (or the Klein, same basic thing). What end of wire? In my reply in the other thread I said it strips in-line, AND at the end.
woodone I fail to see just how these stripers will do what the OP asked . They are for stripping the insulation just on the ends of wires that have be cut. I am not sure if there is a tool the will strip wire in the middle of a length of wire.
The stripmaster, applied to the middle of a length of wire, cuts the insulation and crushes one side back, leaving a gap sufficient for a couple of turns of end-stripped wire in preparation for soldering. Admittedly, it doesn't peel the insulation out of a gap - but what it does is good enough for my simple purposes.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
LooseClu Two years ago at the San Antonio train show a fellow in a small booth was demonstrating his wire stripper that would strip off insulation in the middle of a length of wire. I was really tempted but passed on it because I had a bunch of the suitcase connectors which I planned to use to connect my feeders to the bus wire. Two years later and those red suitcase connections are suffering from exposure to salt air (I live on an island). I've got a lot of connections to reconnect all of which are under the platform; that task is complicated by my need for bifocals to see close up. That stripper I passed on would help but after two hours of searching the web I've found nothing like it. Someone asked the same question on this forum (Jan 2010) but the replies were not what I'm looking for. The stripper in question cleaned about a half inch of insulation off the 14 gauge wire completely- not just pushing it back. It cut both sides and removed the insulation completely leaving the copper wire intact. Anyone out there know where such a tool can be purchased? It would be much appreciated (and save my fingers from many additional cuts) if you can help.
I saw this question in another forum but cannot post the link here. It will disappear quickly. Bad blood between both forums.
Below is a link to the tool. The user says it opens about 1/4 inch gap for soldering a feeder and he is happy with it. The insulation is compressed enough.
There is a similar Klein tool that will do the same but more expensive.
http://www.micromark.com/Wire-Stripper-10-26,7728.html
I went to the local Lowes and bought an Ideal Stripmaster. As many of you stated it will clear a good area to connect bus wires and feeders. I was a bit concerned the insulation would creep back before I got the solder gun to it but that was not the case- after a half hour the gap is still wide as ever. I have no idea how this thread became double posted I assure you I was sound asleep when the second one was posted. I am guilty of asking the same question on another forum, never figured that was offensive but to those offended, I apologize. I didn't get the answer I had hoped for from either one but did get a tool I needed - thanks for the advice (an no more x-acto sliced fingers). Roy
Rich - that type DOES NOT WORK very well. A friend of mine has a set, when he saw my Ideal ones he bought a set. Those end grabbing type aren't totally useless, but the 'self adjusting' thing is not nearly as easy to use as the sized dies on the Ideal and Klein tools. For end stripping, not a big deal, but for middle of the wire, definitely go with the Ideal or Klein. Well worth it.