DoN. Nichols wrote:
According to Don Murray :

AL wrote:

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.


Here are two that I like to use.

http://www.brenco-inc.com/catalog/ripleystrip/u6.jpg

http://www.brenco-inc.com/catalog/ripleystrip/u11.jpg


Those look nice -- but rather specialized to given gauge wire.
I have one which I particularly like which has a spring-loaded V cradle
for the wire with insulation, and a penetrating knife blade with an
adjustable depth stop, which will cut all the way through the insulation
(or ideally -- almost all the way though, but not quite), and then a
press of a button will rotate the knife blade to parallel to the wire's
axis, so when you pull it off the end, it also slits the insulation down
to the end, making it easier to peel off. It also works well on
multi-conductor cables, such as you would use for feeding the
three-phase motor on your lathe or mill.

Enjoy,
DoN.



I've also used ones like that, and some of that style after you've
ringed the wire, instead of turning the blade a full 90 degrees to be
parallel to the wire, you can just turn it 10 or 15 degrees, spin the
tool around the wire, cutting a spiral to the end of the wire, which
peels off like a pigtail. Much easier on larger wire.

Don