I have several decoder harnesses I need to install. I also have several wirestrippers and none of these are any good with the small wire of the harnesses. What is a good way to get a good clean bare wire on the harness?
Thanks
I tried several methods and finally ended up with this tool by MicrMark: http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=hard-to-find+wire+stripper%2c+awg+20+-+30
There may be other options available but this has worked very well for me.
Joe
I have used a Klein for some years. Only use the #30 for DCC wires. I bought this one for general use with the other one just in case before DCC ever came out.
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/standard-wire-stripperscutters/wire-strippercutter-22-30-awg-solid
I also have one for #10 to #18.
Both have had a lot of use.
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.
Put the wire into the smallest slot in the stripper, close it down, and then rotate the stripper almost 90 degrees and pull. This effectively makes the cross-section of the hole smaller. It's not going to be as clean as a properly-sized stripper, but it always works for me.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
They really stick it to model railroaders. You can find this professional brand tool at slow depot for a fraction of the price.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-11046/100630720
These are sweet for CAT5 and phone. The might work for you if you are stripping a flatwire.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Ratcheting-Modular-Crimper-Stripper-VDV226011SEN/202038310
UPDATE: Sorry if the images caused problems. I deleted them.
The Klien 20/30 awg will work fine for harness wires, but the lighting wires are smaller, in the 32awg range, maybe even thinner.
I use a razor blade or my finger nail sometimes, if anyone knows of a stripping tool in this size range please post it. Darryl
I use that Klein stripper also, which goes to AWG 30. I've learned through trial and error to tilt it on small wires to get it to bite, as described above which usually works. I think some wires may be smaller and/or the insulation layer thinner, making the tool less likely to work easily. Or when I get a poor start, it pulls the insulation, thinning it, and then it won't grab. When I encounter difficulty I do the finger nail thing. I'm happy enough to get by with the moderate priced tool.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I guess this must be just be my computer, but when I open this thread, the handle end of a giant size wire stripper covers the whole top of the page, and most of the OP's post.
I haven't seen anybody else mention this, so I'm thinking it's just my computer and Fire Fox, and MRR forums are not getting along.
I also use the Klein stripper, and when I have to, I tilt the tool a little for a better bite on smaller wires.
Mike.
My You Tube
Hello all,
For decoder wires; 30 g, I use a variable size wire stripper like this one: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-5-in-Wire-Stripper-and-Cutter-06007/202039368
To adjust the gauge simply loosen the screw and move to any position, tighten the screw and viola!
Once set to gauge no further adjustment is necessary. The great thing about this particular model is it's infinite gage possibilities. The drawback is if you need to strip various gauges you will need to reset it as necessary.
As a retired electrician I also have ratchet, scissors and cam-lobed types from 22 g to 10 g for other wire stripping duties.
For extremely small gauge this is my wire stripper of choice.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
About my last post, never mind, all works good now. Must be gremlins.
mbinsewi About my last post, never mind, all works good now. Must be gremlins. Mike.
It was My Bad. The pictures were too big for this site I guess.
j.........
Looks like I'm the only one doing it the old fashioned way. My father was an electrician, and my first train set was a 4'x8' lionel layout for Xmas when I was 2. A large layout in the basement came shortly after.
I never remembered him using a wire stripper. He taught me how to strip wire with angled head diagonal cutting pliers, the same thing used to cut the wire. Why use two tools when one would do the job (I guess was the idea). Anyway, to this day I just use those, especially on small gauge wire. It takes a bit of skill, technique, I guess, but since I learned how to "feel" it at an early age I never even thought of using a wire stripping tool. Sometimes I'll use my teeth, but I do have strong teeth, so be careful if you don't.
Back in the day, wiring electronics with salvaged telephone wire, I usually used my teeth to strip it. I can do many sizes of wires with a cutter, and not nick the conductor - but if you nick the conductor, you have to cut it off and start over - hopefully having enough wire left. Fine decoder wire, my fingernail usually works quite well, I don;t have one of those small gauge wire strippers. For my bus and feeders, I use a device like the Ideal Stripmaster because it cna strip wire in the middle of a run, not just at the end, very easily. None of that make two circles and then cut a strip between them to peel off the section, just put the jaws over the wire and squeeze, end or middle of the wire.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
LION holds wire with needle nose plier in left paw of him, and him holds a diagonal cutter in the right paw of him. Gently him closes it and pulls the insulation off of the wire.
If that does not work, fly into a snit rage around the room, and tip over some tables and then start over after a dinner of wildebeest.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Yeah, some of the legacy electricians swore by using their teeth until one stripped the wire and cut his tongue to the tune of 5 stitches.
After that he bought some small gauge wire strippers and let his tongue heal.
You can use dikes (wire cutters) to strip wire but it takes lots of practice and wire.
As an apprentice I got lots of guff for using those "new fangled" wire strippers but I never waisted wire or had hot connections due to restance from loss of conductors from nicking stranded wire.
Yes, you can drive a nail with a monkey wrench buy why not use a hammer? The proper tool for the job!
If you don't have time to do it right the first time when are you going to find time to fix your hurried mistakes?
See my other post
jjdamnit Hello all, For decoder wires; 30 g, I use a variable size wire stripper like this one: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-5-in-Wire-Stripper-and-Cutter-06007/202039368 To adjust the gauge simply loosen the screw and move to any position, tighten the screw and viola! Once set to gauge no further adjustment is necessary. The great thing about this particular model is it's infinite gage possibilities. The drawback is if you need to strip various gauges you will need to reset it as necessary. As a retired electrician I also have ratchet, scissors and cam-lobed types from 22 g to 10 g for other wire stripping duties. For extremely small gauge this is my wire stripper of choice. Hope this helps.
Thanks I got these from my local Home Depot and these were just what I wanted.