Stripping TEFLON /TEFZEL wire

Mike Raviv · #1 03-03-2009, 04:57 AM

Gents,

There must be a better way (a working way) to strip those tiny teflon insulated wires than how I mess and ruin them. I mean mostly those microscoping wires coming out of trimmer rocker switches and others like those.
And perhaps there must be some better stripping tools than I have (although I have quite a few, including those "automatic" ones).
BTW, I went to a pro to show me the ropes, he was just as good at it as I am.

Help please.

TNX
Mike Raviv
4X-ORV
Going electric.

Jamie · #2 03-03-2009, 05:46 AM

Hi Mike:

Indeed, those tiny wires are quite an annoyance. As a general rule, most folks avoid using wire smaller than 22AWG just for that very reason. However, there are times when you *must* deal with them, such as when using the trim rocker switches you mentioned.

The best method I found that works is to carefully score the tefzel with a razor knife (being careful not to nick the wire) and then use the automatic stripper. It worked great for me.

Also on those smaller wires you have to be careful about using any crimping connectors because you can easily break the wires. Anytime I had some of those wires (for example on the trim motors) I used D-SUB pins and crimped and soldered them, then put heatshrink over the connectors for vibration isolation.

Not sure if you have this or not, but if you don't have 'Lectric Bob's book it's highly recommended.

Mike S · #3 03-03-2009, 09:39 AM

I bought one of these strippers.

I have had about 99% satisfaction with it------and the other 1%?? I did not get the wire into the notch before stripping

Greg Arehart · #4 03-03-2009, 10:14 AM

What Mike said. I have been very happy with the Stripmaster. Stein sells them but there are probably other places that sell them as well. Note that the best model is slightly different than the model that Lowes or HD sells.

greg

fl-mike · #5 03-03-2009, 11:03 AM

The proper automatic type wire-stripper is the 45-177:
http://www.idealindustries.com/produ...tripmaster.jsp
Or equivalent clone frame with the L-5560 blades.
These blades pinch the insulation rather than cut it. The grit gripper rather than the sawtooth type helps things too.
Check Ebay.

az_gila · #6 03-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl-mike

The proper automatic type wire-stripper is the 45-177:
http://www.idealindustries.com/produ...tripmaster.jsp
Or equivalent clone frame with the L-5560 blades.
These blades pinch the insulation rather than cut it. The grit gripper rather than the sawtooth type helps things too.
Check Ebay.

...the blades on E-bay, they will fit directly into the approx. $29 Stripmaster blue handled stripper from Home Depot...

The Mil-spec wire cutting blades - the 45-2118-1 - are quite different from the commercial from Home Depot. They have a precisely sized "barrel like" area that holds the insulation exactly in place before the cutting edges reach the wire.

Don Jones · #7 03-03-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az_gila

...the blades on E-bay, they will fit directly into the approx. $29 Stripmaster blue handled stripper from Home Depot...

The Mil-spec wire cutting blades - the 45-177 listed above - are quite different from the commercial from Home Depot. They have a precisely sized "barrel like" area that holds the insulation exactly in place before the cutting edges reach the wire.

...on the blades on E-bay. I did find the blades from several electronics shops at $80 to $95

My cheap versions of these work just fine thanks

az_gila · #8 03-03-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Jones

........
My cheap versions of these work just fine thanks

...are lucky on getting everything aligned correctly. Tefzel is tough stuff, and the aircraft wires are made to exacting dimensional standards, the commercial cutters have different dimensions.

Try looking at the wires under a magnifying glass and see if any are nicked.
That would be a reject for Mil-Spec work... but your standards may differ....

Sully · #9 03-03-2009, 07:09 PM

Gil is correct if you use the proper mil-spec blades you will never have a problem with nicked wires. I watched ebay closely for a while a scored a set for less than $20 and then put them in the regular stripmaster. They seem to do just fine up to 26ga.

Don Jones · #10 03-03-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az_gila

...are lucky on getting everything aligned correctly. Tefzel is tough stuff, and the aircraft wires are made to exacting dimensional standards, the commercial cutters have different dimensions.

Try looking at the wires under a magnifying glass and see if any are nicked.
That would be a reject for Mil-Spec work... but your standards may differ....

...I just worked with them until I could dependably strip without damaging wires. I would love to have some of the real blades and will keep watching E-Bay aircraft supply. It will save time not having to be so careful. Just not going to pay $90 bucks for them

I already picked up some DMC D-sub crimpers and the positioners on E-Bay, so this will be something else to add to my wiring tools.