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Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #89190] Tue, 13 November 2018 08:16 Go to next message
Junior is currently offline  Junior
Messages: 69
Registered: July 2018
Viscount
This inquiry is in connection to my little project which is found here: https://audioroundtable.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=22208&start=0&

I have a problem when exposing the wires in the cables. I often cut a few strands of the wires when I like to expose the wire at the tip of the cable. What is the technique in removing the outer covering of the cable without cutting the wire strands?
Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #89192 is a reply to message #89190] Tue, 13 November 2018 09:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18972
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

You can use wire strippers, or you can carefully use a razor blade to cut through the insulation. With a lot of practice, you may find that you can use wire cutters, with the jaws held just close enough to cut through the insulation without nicking the conductor.

Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #89249 is a reply to message #89190] Mon, 19 November 2018 01:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Junior is currently offline  Junior
Messages: 69
Registered: July 2018
Viscount
I'm using the jaws of my long-nose pliers to open up the wires. I agree with you that practice will help. My hands tremble easily when I'm trying to concentrate on exposing the conductors.
Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #92245 is a reply to message #89249] Tue, 01 September 2020 13:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
The Noise is currently offline  The Noise
Messages: 175
Registered: October 2012
Master
Wire strippers were made precisely for this job. Places like Harbor Freight is where you can get them on the cheap. And I don't know what they're called, but there are razor knifes that are thinner than most which would work well too.
Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #98981 is a reply to message #89192] Sat, 18 October 2025 04:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Becky is currently offline  Becky
Messages: 78
Registered: September 2025
Viscount
Not everybody knew how to work with wiring and if not careful, one can make a drastic mistake while cutting the wire. In order to have a clean cut, use razor blade of strippers to cut wires as a non professional because professionals use wire cutters to do the work.
Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #98994 is a reply to message #89190] Sun, 19 October 2025 22:10 Go to previous message
gofar99 is currently offline  gofar99
Messages: 2012
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I guess this depends on what type of wire you are using.  There is a major difference in 12 gauge wire and tonearm wire.  For any type of wire above 26 gauge I use strippers.  The ones that look like pliers and have markings for the wire sizes are the ones I prefer.  Normally a clean strip. The issue is with sub standard wire then you may have to pick a size different from what the wire was listed as.  This is becoming ever more common.  I also use the ones that look like small scissors but leave the setting screw at max.  I then strip by feel.  It takes a bit of practice to not harm the conductors.  For tonearm wire that is usually in the size range of 28 to 34 gauge the above strippers will not work.  I use a "burning" method.  I heat up the wire with a hot soldering arm (I usually use 775 F) and melt the insulation. It will carbonize and then all you need do is scrape it off.  For fabric insulated tone arm wire you can often use a slightly different method.  I use a gas fire starter to burn it again and the peal it off.  The heating method also solves a second problem with tonearm wire that is the strands are usually covered with enamel.  The heating also burn this off as well.  Now the magic question...if you strip any wire from say 20 gauge and up (bigger) losing a few strands is of little consequence.  

Good Listening
Bruce
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