| Re: Exposing The Wires Without Cutting It [message #98994 is a reply to message #89190] |
Sun, 19 October 2025 22:10  |
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gofar99
Messages: 2012
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona
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Illuminati (5th Degree) |
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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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