Hello Again fellow members…
i just wished to ask if anyone can advcie me please on the best most appropriate KLEIN WIRE STRIPPERS for general DCC wiring --i presume the wiring in the USA is the same as in Europe? sorry if i sound dum…these are the ones i just purchased…:-
KLEIN TOOLS 16-26 Ga WIRE STRIPPER CUTTERS #11046 ]but seemed to recal…i was told i needed another size range? seem to have got myself in a knot…memory is terrible!!!
any help much appreciated
regards Steve
That one should cover most applications.
Micro Mark sells another that strips the smaller gauge wire too.
The 22 to 30 is mostly for DCC installs, Usually the 29 or 30 sizes. I have both wire strippers.
Rich
If you believe in large wires for your track bus, then #12 or #14 would also be useful to have. For that, get a cheap one at Radio Shack, unless you want a fancy one that will strip the insulation from the middle of the wire.
[bow]Good Day Guys,
Firstly many thanks indeed for all the advcie re correct(most suitable Strippers)much obliged…i will buy a couple of pairs more cover me for all eventualities? hopefully…
all the very best Regards Steve
Hi Again,
I was thinking of buying strippers for the following as you suggested…i now have 2 Klein ones…so may as well go for Klein again…please can you tell me which ones i should be looking for? to cover this size of bus wire,is it 12 or 14 or 12 to 14? sorry if i seem a bit dum
all the best Steve
12 or #14
In the first place bus wire should be tedermined by voltage drop. Not what size you would like to use, etc.
Go to Tony’s Train Exchange and look in the tips section for DCC tips. It has a table that shows volage drop over a given distance.
For example, a 4’x8’ layout may work fine with a #14 bus wires.
A 10’x10’ with a lot of trackage may require a #12 bus wires to have stable operating characteristics.
I use #10 bus wires. The larger the bus wires the less voltage drop, this does effect loco performance!
As far as strippers, go to Home Depot/electrical dept.,and get yourself a stripper that can strip the bus wire in the middle/anywhere along the bus. I forget the name of em. When it’s time to install feeders you can strip an inch of insulatin any wher you need to, yes, in the middle of a bus wire. The stripper I’m speaking of strips from #10 down to # 20, and yes you can strip the end of a wire too. The cost is about $15.00 bucks.
Below #20 wire my stripper is my gigarette lighter. Just burn the insulation on the end of the wire and pull it between your thumb nail and index finger. Works like a charm.
Jules
HelloJules,
many thanks…
much appreciate your reply…but i was only after correct size strippers to cover most eventualities…not whch bus wires i maybe using…at this time i am using nothing as i do not have a lyout…but hope to soon…i am just puttin a few tools together…
I do vlaue your advcie though and will file this along with other good tips
all the best Steve
Hey Steve,
I think my Klein strippers go from 10ga. to 18 or 20ga. at the smallest.
edit: I just checked. 10-18 gauge.
To answer your question directly, the wire stripper you get should include the #12 and #14 sizes. So far as I know, most wire strippers have a range of sizes, not just one size. I think you also said that you were collecting tools and just planning for eventualities. If you are planning to use DCC for your railroad, then the buss that runs around the layout is an eventuality. Here in the States, most homes have #12 and/or #14 house wiring. If that is the same situation where you live, and if you ever do any work around the house (fix lamp cords, for example), then you haven’t really lost anything if you purchase the second tool.
Regards
I guessed you were reletivly new with regard to your layout. No, I don’t think your dumb!
The stripper I’m talking about will fit ALL your needs, along with a lighter[:)]
The tool is made by “Ideal” it’s called the “Stripmaster”, HD has them. It strips from #8 down to #22. You get an awfull lot of usage out of 1 tool. Like I say, the middle or the end of any wire.
Jules
Hello Again
many thanks for your reply…obliged to you…the bus wire maybe an eventuality…but i am just concentrating on the tools…
may not have said before but due to long term illness…i have never had anything to do with tools, or electronics…
most things are done for me…but i ma going to try and do some very basic stuff…(first time ever) and i am 53
I dont have a clue about gauges of wire around the home…i have 3 x Klein strippers now, so think i probably cover all the ranges…
but i hope i may learn a little…and that is why i am so obliged to you and all the other guys for your kind and helpful advice…
all the very best Steve
Hi Jules,
Please ignore me…i get frustrated because i dont know how to ask the questions properly? i get myself confused somewhat…
i did run a search for the ideal stripmaster buy got mainly coax stripper which i think is the TV arial cable is it not?
if i can buy them from USA great much cheaper than Europe…so any leads most helpful
all the very best Steve
Here you go Steve.
FYI. Ideal and Klein are of similar quality I believe.
Sorry I neglected to notice your from Norway. I’ll be 74 in Febuary. Started my layout about a year ago.
Got sidetracked for a few day’s here because I’m building a workbench down cellar, no room in the train room. Bought a Table saw, band saw, drill press, belt/disk sander.
Don’t know if Home Depot or something simular is in Norway. I’m almost sure I paid 15-16 dollars for it. But, being an old fart means my memory ain’t what it used to be!
If your building a DCC layout that stripper will seve you very well. Any one who has one will agree.
Jules
Morning Jules & Kevin…
Many thanks to you both for your kind assitance…much obliged to you…
I am not sure if we have these in Norway…but maybe able to obtain from UK ?Also i do not see the ones you refered to Jules ? just the following size ranges…or am i missiing something[
]
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45-090 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 8-12 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
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45-091 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 10-18 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
|
45-092 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 10-22 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
|
45-093 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 14-22 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
|
45-097 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 16-26 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
|
45-098 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 20-30 AWG |
$33.50 |
|
|
45-099 |
Ideal Stripmaster, 8, 10, 16, 18 AWG |
all the very best Steve
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Morning Jules–
that was a very comprehensive answer and very useful…i think i am starting to understand a little now…i even understand about the Bus wires…well a bit…I now have three Kleins covering most of the sizes you mention…so may just stick with them for time being…spending far to much of late…
all the very best Steve