Decoder wire stripping

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Greetings, I’m a relative newcomer to the world of DCC and have begun to convert several of my Athearn RTR / BB locomotives using Digitrax decoders. Here’s my quandry. I’m starting to get the hang of soldering, but I can’t strip wire worth a darn. When I try using an Xacto knife to score and remove the insulation, I usually have 1 or 2 strands of wire remaining. Maybe I’m just a klutz. What I need is a good wire stripper for the decoder wire. I’m guessing it’s either 28 or 30 gauge wire. Any suggestions on a good tool or a goof proof technique? I’ve already tried the Digitrax solderless decoder, but the solder joints on them aren’t very reliable. Thanks in advance for any expert advice.

Len S.

2

Would not claim to be an expert, but I got a wire stripper for the smaller wire sizes from Micro-Mark. You still can’t be too heavy-handed stripping fine wires, but it works for me. Certainly better than the X-acto method.

Here’s the link to it:

http://www.micromark.com/HARD-TO-FIND-WIRE-STRIPPER-AWG-22-30,6544.html

3

I use the same one. Store the link in Favorites. You will refer to it often. Great online store.

Rich

4

I use my fingernails. Quick and easy.

–Randy

5

I tried that also. Maybe I need to file my nails sharper! [:D]

6

I use this one:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3932546#

The way I selected it was by taking the smallest wire I would ever need to strip to a Radio Shack store and asked the clerk to strip it for me. This is the tool that did it perfectly, so I bought it.

7

Thumbnail works for me.

8

Len,

I’ve tried just about everything on the market to strip very small, less than 20ga wire, and have found that Klien Tools #11047is the best in my opinion. This is not a cheap item but strips wire down to 30ga clean and with out damage. It is capable of doing 22-30ga with one tool. Anything larger I use an automatic stripper. NEVER CONNECT WIRES WITHOUT SOLDERING and finishing with shrink tubing…

9

The Klein 11047 is what I use everyday doing DCC installs.

10

I also use the Klein 11047. Available from Amazon for under $12.

Roger Johnson

11

I looked at the web page and it only strips from 10 to 22 gage, not the smaller ones (26-30) found on some of the decoders. Did you try it on smaller wires?

Bob

12

I bought what looks like the same wire strpper made by Greenlee and it was less than $10 at Sears. It works pretty good too.

Bob

13

This is all wonderful information, as I anticipated from such a sage group of experts. Thank you all for your advice and counsel.

Len S.