"AL" wrote in message
...
| On a related note, just how are you supposed to strip (ie. remove
insulation
| from) these large cables? I've seen strippers up to 8 gauge, but nothing
| larger. I can't believe a utility knife is the proper tool.

Works fine. Just mind what you're doing. Use a very sharp blade (I
always start with a brand new blade,) score the insulation and then rip it
open. If that isn't enough, cut it deeper. My favorite thing is to score
the insulation around circumferentially (sp?) first then bend the wire until
it breaks. Once that's loose, pull it off. If necessary I'll score into
the slug longways, but the idea is that when you pull it off, the strands
are clean and still lay in place.
Some folks cut it away like they were sharpening a pencil, but they make
sure the blade angle is such that the edge won't cut into the metal when it
gets there. The standards I have to work to won't allow that because of the
potential for error on critical lengths.