Wire strippers for outer jackets of multi-conductor cable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 08:26:09 pm
content: Can anyone suggest a high quality (i.e. that works every time and will last) tool for stripping the outer jacket on multi-conductor wire?We're putting a new item into production and we have wire on spools that needs cut for use on the item. The wire has 4 insulated conductors (I believe 22ga) and an outer jacket over it all. The inner wires have a talc/powder substance that separates them from the outer jacket. I need to be able to strip 1/2 inch off the outer jacket without nicking or damaging the inner conductors.I know we can bend the wire over and try to gently slice it, but that doesn't really work in a production environment where all the wires need to be the same length but you might mess up once or twice by bending/slicing.What's the best tool for this job?Thanks!

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 08:42:54 pm
content: How thick is the jacket? I've used plain old wire strippers (the fixed-size ones, not those funny "automatic" ones) to remove cable jackets many times with good results.

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 08:48:24 pm
content: I don't know how appropriate this is for your application, but I sometimes use a LAN cable stripper to get the jacket off cat 5e cable. I'm sure there is something higher quality that is adjustable...EDIT: Check Jonard Industries UST-500 and see if it will work for you.

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 08:49:15 pm
content: Perhaps an idea to use one of these coax strippers, with the core blades removed of course.

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:10:18 pm
content: What would you use for stripping fine guage stranded teflon wire?

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:46:32 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 23, 2013, 08:42:54 pmOD of the cable is 0.225", ID is about 0.150 to 0.175".The problem is that the wire was made by applying this talc substance to the inner conductors, then the jacket is molded over that... so the cross-section is sort of a four-leaf clover shape. I could try a rounded wire stripper that is around 0.175"? But I've tried one slightly smaller than that and getting lots of nicks on the inner conductors. I could have sworn we used to have some sort of tool that made a half-deep incision around the circumference then grabbed each side and pulled them apart? Damned if I can find it in the shop (or online!) though.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 10:53:18 pm
content: Oh, it's one of those weird-shaped, molded ones? I hate those! And I don't have any ideas on how to efficiently remove them...

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 23, 2013, 11:11:06 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on July 23, 2013, 10:53:18 pmThe funny thing is I specifically ordered this cable made and went through quite a lot of suppliers to get just what I wanted. I had found some cable with a rubbery jacket (maybe was actual rubber) and a black sleeve with no printing on it (it's for a consumer device), and I used to *hate* when I would cut short lengths of the off-the-shelf stuff and it was just a cylindrical jacket over the conductors, and when you'd go to strip one of the inner conductors, you pull on your wire strippers and the whole 12" of wire slides out of the jacket.I went to great lengths to source this wire, and now it's biting me in the ass!

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 12:20:44 am
content: Quote from: Vgkid on July 23, 2013, 10:10:18 pmSpecial strippers just for Teflon insulation if you want it to work well. Stripping Teflon is a pain!As for the multi-conductor, if I were you I would ask the guys that made the wire. They probably have a recommended tool. If it's a really custom part maybe they can recommend something anyway.If that doesn't work find a contract manufacturer that makes a lot of cable assemblies, take a piece of wire to them, and ask if they have any tools that would work or know where to get one. Then go out and buy that tool.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 12:25:21 am
content: Those will do it just fine with some adjustment.

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 02:35:30 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 23, 2013, 10:46:32 pmThis style of coax stripper seems to fit that description.Don't know if these can be adjusted to exact diameter.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 02:57:28 am
content: There is only one wire stripper that will do it allhttp://www.stripax.com/The 16mm2 size should make a quick job of those outer jackets.Dont accept any imitators, these arent that expensive.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2013, 06:08:30 am
content: If you go for an automatic, then you'd want one with either curved or v shaped blades IMHO (reduced tearing for a cleaner strip). Stripax is one (they also have a model that the blades adjust to the wire, which makes them useful for flat cable).Otherwise, there are a couple of other types.Tor:http://www.pressmaster.se/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/tor_two_hooks_en.pdfOden:http://www.pressmaster.se/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/oden_no_spare_blad_en.pdfBoth can be had under multiple brand names (Xcelite and Wiha for example), but are made by Pressmaster (might be able to find it a bit less expensive branded as Pressmaster). They only strip the outer jacket.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 03:57:03 am
content: Just to follow up on this, I ordered a couple of the suggestions here... I also found these:http://www.skywalker.com/Products/Skywalker-Signature-Series-Easy-Strip-Wire-Stripper__SKY25213.aspxWhich are claimed to be designed to remove the outer jacket without damaging the inner jacket. We shall see!I also found the one I had but have apparently losthttp://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&L=1&&parentID=1363&groupID=1378But they are over $200!

author: MichaelKavanagh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2013, 05:05:18 pm
content: For stripping the outer sheath off multicore I use a tool such as:http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/4795780/Set the depth of the cutter to just a little less the thinnest part of the insulation, wrap that round it a couple of times, then give it a wiggle and it comes straight off. Clean, easy, and if you have it set right, never nicks the insulation of the individual coresThe french chalk is a pain though, I get covered in it!