I've managed to convert my first loco to DCC but I could really do with some wire strippers for fine decoder wire which I think is 0.25mm.
Has anyone got any suggestions or tool recommendations for stripping this fine wire,my normal wire strippers are too heavy duty for such fine wire.
Allan
This is funny, for many years I worked as a Powder Monkey handling explosives set off by electric detonators, always in a hurry to wire up the dets I used my teeth to strip the bell wires, probably did this for 20+ years and wore one of my bottom front teeth almost down to half size, went to the dentist in December last year for the first time in 16 years he nearly took a fit when I told him why my tooth was so worn.
The point is don't use your teeth but there are plenty of good quality wire strippers available at electronics stores.
Allan,
Dont use wire strippers on decoder wire, a sharp knife blade held on the top of the wire very lightly while rotating the wire to just break the insulation works .......... then use a fingernail where the nick is while gently twisting the insulation off the wire.
Doing it this way will twist the wire far tighter than you can ready for tinning, & then on to install in the loco.
DCC Concepts produce some fine wire strippers which are suitable for decoder wire.
http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCCcutterstripper.htm#Strippers (http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCCcutterstripper.htm#Strippers)
Quote from: Chinahand on February 10, 2012, 09:48:32 AM
DCC Concepts produce some fine wire strippers whaich aresuitable for decoder wire.
http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCCcutterstripper.htm#Strippers (http://www.dccconcepts.com/index_files/DCCcutterstripper.htm#Strippers)
I'll see if I can get any in the UK if my attempts with Upnicks suggestion don't work for me.
Allan
Edit...
They're in stock at Gaugemaster.
Tried Upnicks way.....easy peasy,thanks Upnick.
Allan
Quote from: Bikeracer on February 11, 2012, 11:14:27 AM
Tried Upnicks way.....easy peasy,thanks Upnick.
Allan
Sounds like Allan has fingernails, wouldn't work for me cause I bite the buggers.
Quote from: Bikeracer on February 11, 2012, 11:14:27 AM
Tried Upnicks way.....easy peasy,thanks Upnick.
Allan
The problem is that it's so easy to cut through a few strands of the wire doing it that way. Is it really worth risking ruining a deoder for the sake of not spending a few pounds on the right tool ? ???
Quote from: upnick on February 10, 2012, 09:33:12 AM
Allan,
Dont use wire strippers on decoder wire, a sharp knife blade held on the top of the wire very lightly while rotating the wire to just break the insulation works .......... then use a fingernail where the nick is while gently twisting the insulation off the wire.
Doing it this way will twist the wire far tighter than you can ready for tinning, & then on to install in the loco.
Quote from: Bikeracer on February 11, 2012, 11:14:27 AM
Tried Upnicks way.....easy peasy,thanks Upnick.
Allan
Quote from: Chinahand on February 11, 2012, 11:24:37 AM
The problem is that it's so easy to cut through a few strands of the wire doing it that way. Is it really worth risking ruining a deoder for the sake of not spending a few pounds on the right tool ? ???
Caught up with this thread ......... Allan glad you found the method i suggested successful & your happy with it ;)
When i said dont use wire strippers i wasnt aware of the DCC concepts product which i've never tried if it says for decoder wire no doubt it has been tried & tested for the purpose.
As Chinahand has said it is very easy to go through fine strands of the wires core when using a blade hence the gentle pressure to go through the insulation
only if your not confident to do this go for the strippers in the link Chinahand has posted above.
I've been managing okay with only the occasional cutting a wire strand,however I've been to Digitrains for some bits and pieces and enquired what they use.
Jeremy uses wire strippers which they sell in the shop so I bought some because they were only £5.00 :thumbsup:
Allan
I bought a pair of Snap-On Bluepoint ones the other day (thought I'd splash out) £20 and does the very tine TCS decoder wire without any problems, strips it perfectly!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-POINT-SNAP-HEAVY-DUTY-WIRE-STRIPPER-/260953304730#ht_926wt_905 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLUE-POINT-SNAP-HEAVY-DUTY-WIRE-STRIPPER-/260953304730#ht_926wt_905)
It's those ones, that's an ebay link but I bought mine straight from the Snap-On rep
Hmmm.....I'd already got some that look virtually identical to those,I'll have to have a look now to see if there's an adjustment knob on mine,although the new ones I bought are a bit less cumbersome.
Allan