Need a reccomendation for a ribbon cable stripping tool. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Starlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2016, 05:17:53 pm
content: I need to strip a bunch of 4P 28 awg ribbon cables (over 100) so I can attach 5mm RGB LEDs to them. I need some sort of inexpensive hand tool to do this. There's a lot of wire stripping tools out there but there's no way to know what's good and what isn't so I was hoping someone had some personal experience with one.I don't want to strip each of the conductors individually, nor do I want to burn the insulation off, though a stripper with a heated blade would be acceptable if something like that exists. I'd prefer something that's like $20 but for the right tool I might consider paying more.Any suggestions? Even knowing that didn't work for you would be helpful so I don't waste my money on something useless.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2016, 05:25:17 pm
content: A thermal stripper might be your best bet, but probably not for $20. These are more expensive, but very good general purpose strippers, and can do some ribbon cable with good results:http://amzn.com/B004UN8ZNMI just tried them one some 8-conductor 28AWG 50mil and they do quite well, although the 8-conductor is just a hair wider than the stripping blades, so alignment is tricky. Should do 4-wire 50mil ribbon with no trouble. I also tried them with some 4-wire 100mil cable, and they also did well except again for the width trouble.

author: promacjoe
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2016, 05:31:34 pm
content: Not sure about stripping the ribbon cable, but to cut ribbon cable square, I use a Fisk rolling paper cutter. You will have to push really hard to get it through the cable, but it works good And leaves a nice square cut. It comes with a paper folding wheel as well. And although I've never tried it, I imagine you could use it to crush the insulation on the ribbon wire to make it easier to strip.Just a thought. Good luck.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2016, 08:07:04 pm
content: Quote from: ajb on January 15, 2016, 05:25:17 pmI've the same pair, only with a Pressmaster label (actual ODM). Least expensive place to buy them and the blade cassettes I've ever seen, is fromWaytekwire. Same for the Pressmaster MCT (Multi Crimp Tool), if anyone is interested.555 Self-Adjusting Cut & Stripper Tool(aka PressmasterEmbla)Straight blade cassetteV blade cassette for PTFEMulti Crimp Tool(uses interchangeable dies)They don't carry the red cassette blades (round blades for large gauge wire; 12 - 5AWG), but I doubt that's an issue for most of us.These would be able to do the OP's intended ribbon cable really easily.If you've wider ribbon cable, do multiple passes.But not for $20 (you'd need to triple it).Well worth the cost of ownership IME. O0

author: Starlord
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2016, 12:46:59 pm
content: Thanks guys. I think I'll go for the Xcelite ones. I found them on Digikey as well, but they're $16 more. There were also what appears to be an identical rebranded pair by Molex, but those are $22 more.Also, I couldn't find a datasheet for the Xcelite brand, but Molex had some nicely illustrated instructions:http://www.molex.com/pdm_docs/ats/ATS-638170000.pdf