Thermal Stripper. Why so expensive? Anyone tried to DIY? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:20:02 pm
content: /.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:29:12 pm
content: Isn't a solder pot used for this application?Here's a cheap one:http://dx.com/p/150w-temperature-controlled-soldering-pot-blue-golden-220v-48761

author: os40la
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:31:40 pm
content: Sounds like you need to do a Kickstatrer.

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:31:46 pm
content: A solder pot is used to hold solder, for tinning wires. You would not dip insulation into it.

author: dc101
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:35:51 pm
content: Quote from: mos6502 on February 28, 2014, 10:29:12 pmI've heard of people using a solder pot for this, but not sure how you go about cleaning all the melted plastic. I supposed you'd have to skim it off the top some how. But Nerull is correct, solder pots aren't actually designed for doing this.

author: mos6502
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2014, 10:42:15 pm
content: Oh, I guess I ass-umed too much.I was actually thinking about enameled magnet wire.Edit: Or maybe not? Just to clarify, what kind of wire is the OP talking about? Enameled wire? Then yes, a solder pot is the correct choice:http://www.newenglandwire.com/~/media/Files/Litz%20Wire%20Termination%20guide%204th%20Edition.pdf

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 02:04:10 am
content: Look on the surplus market. I got a Teledyne Stripall for $12.50 US. They seem to sell on ebay for $20-50 for the most part.I rarely use it; fumes from melting insulation are pretty noxious. While there are times they are required, for the most part a good manual stripper is faster and won't nick the wire.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 02:58:07 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 01, 2014, 02:14:27 amWhat have you used for mechanical strippers?I ask, as good mechanical strippers won't nick the wire as they don't cut through all of the insulation. Just enough to where the cut section of insulation will rip/tear off from the rest of it, leaving the strands undisturbed. There's another thread in here that covers some good ones, and they'll be less expensive than a thermal stripper, save perhaps the right deal come along on a used one (vs. new mechanical).Ideal Stripmasterwould be one example, though there are other types and brands. Personally, I use aPressmaster Embla(gets rebadged a lot, such as underWihaorXcelite), which with the right blade cartridge, will strip Teflon (a lot less expensive than Ideal, and for this brand, likely best to buy as Xcelite for ease of locating it and lowest cost).Hope this helps.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 03:08:07 am
content: Quote from: PaulAm on March 01, 2014, 02:04:10 amThe Teledyne are great strippers with excellent spare part availability and longevity. I got one on ebay for $20. One of the blades was partially hot. Apparently the thick wire inside had several strands broken. I biffed it up and it works well. I used it only for teflon wires and use a small fan to redirect the fumes (as as you do with solder fume).

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 04:27:33 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on March 01, 2014, 03:19:50 amGlad it helped.The Stripmasters linked are specifically for Teflon, and are a bit different than the standard models (IIRC the wire is held on both sides of the cutting blades on the Teflon models). Expensive though, and likely a bit worse in Australia if I had to guess. Knipex makes a similar unit for Teflon as well, and is also expensive (both over the 200USD mark here last I saw). The Pressmaster will be a little less than half the cost, including the Teflon cartridge based on US pricing (runs ~100 - 110USD here). So quite a bit less expensive.Do note, that they work best on fresh wire. Old hardened insulation can be a challenge (only run into this with PVC thus far), even with the ability to adjust. Had to grab the jaws a few times to get it to cut deep enough to strip it in such instances. Otherwise it would just scrape the insulation, and the end has to be snipped off to give it another go as there wasn't enough to bite into without nicking strands (tried re-stripping by grabbing the jaws; nicked strands nearly every time I tried without snipping the scraped insulation off first).I would say the Ideal type mechanism has advantages, but not at a bit more than double the cost for something used on rare occasion IMHO.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 03:02:08 pm
content: Chads toolbox is your friend for EU tools in the US very heavy discount. I gottheseknipex Teflon strippers for $147.00

author: Frost
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 04:28:10 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on March 01, 2014, 03:02:08 pmThese Knipex Precision Insulation Strippers are an excellent tool.I use the Knipex automatic strippers since a couple of years now,they are the first strippers I found, which worked like expected.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 04:44:44 pm
content: Quote from: robrenz on March 01, 2014, 03:02:08 pmThat is a good price.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 04:55:05 pm
content: Quote from: Frost on March 01, 2014, 04:28:10 pmI bought the knipex 12-42-194, very good strippers:http://www.knipex.com/en/contact-service/how-does-it-work-animated-graphics/12-42-195-self-adapting-universal-insulation-stripper/First time I managed to properly strip awg30 kynar wires..For bigger stuff I also have an Irwin vise Grip which also does an very good job:http://www.irwin.com/tools/pliers-adjustable-wrenches/self-adjusting-wire-stripperKnipex is very expensive in Norway though, but luckily German shops are on Ebay

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 05:09:27 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on March 01, 2014, 02:58:07 amI have tried various mechanical strippers and have not found one that is satisfactory for fine stranded wire. The device cuts through the insulation OK, but when I pull the insulation off the end of the wire it doesn't seem to matter how careful I am, the insulation always takes some of the wire strands with it. It appears that the fine wire strands are not strong enough to withstand the pulling action on the insulation. The insulation grips the strands too tightly and snaps some of them when pulled.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 05:13:52 pm
content: For thermal stripping of insulation I simply use a hot knife attachment on a soldering iron. I place the wire end on a flat surface, gently rest the hot knife on top just as if cutting with a regular pen knife, and roll the wire under the knife until the insulation is parted all the way round. Then I remove the knife and slide off the cut insulation. It works a treat, and costs basically nothing short of the hot knife tip.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 06:20:56 pm
content: If you are looking to experiment.http://www.ebay.ca/itm/902-SMD-Hot-Tweezers-Soldering-Iron-Desoldering-ESD-Station-Ship-Canada-/310531697774?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item484d21ac6e

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2014, 07:48:26 pm
content: I have one of the Knipex automatic versions also and I agree it works extremely well on the entire wire size range and is very light and agile.