In article ,
Lobster wrote:
I've also got many - probably an example of just about every type, but
my favourite by far doesn't appear to be made anymore - or at least I
can't find it at RS etc. It's a sideways on device with four holes for
different size ranges, and will do the smallest I ever use in
electronics up to 2.5mm.

That would be like item 19779 at www.drapertools.com, right? I use one
of those but find it can be a bit awkward (eg the notches sizes don't
seem to correspond to reality, and it can be fiddly checking you're in
the right notch, eg when grovelling around in a gloomy roofspace) and so
have been considering upgrading to an auto jobbie

No - that's not the one. The one I've got has two jaws which separate
under spring pressure. One holds the cable outer (under different spring
pressure) on the working stroke, but releases it on the return stroke. The
other jaw contains the split dies with the holes, which have a sharp
leading edge and bite into the insulation, again under spring pressure.
They don't need to go through it to the conductor - simply grip it firmly,
hence the choice of four sizes, which cover everything I use. It wouldn't
be suitable for very large stuff, though - I'd not try it on larger than
2.5mm.

The big difference is that it bites into the insulation over 360 degrees -
or near enough - where most rely on just attacking it from two sides.

No brand name, unfortunately, although it's built to last with the wearing
parts fixed by screws for easy replacement. If I knew who made it. ;-)

I think it came from Maplin, and was expensive.

--
*Eat well, stay fit, die anyway

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.