Locomotive wiring sizes.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
21

Paul,

This is an opportunity for you to learn something more important than an answer about wiring sizes and that is how to get along on this forum.

Remember that 99% or more of the members are trying to help you so unless you are signaled out by name go slow in replying in such a negative way. The better response would have been better to have asked if it was you that he was refering to.

After you are on the forum you will learn most of who the regular responders. In this case you would have known that Mobilman has an excellent reputation.

Some time responses can be interpeted in different ways which is another reason to brush off criticism. Yes you may get some unfair comments on the forum but you learn to ignore them as the forum experience is more important.

Bob

22

Why would someone who has worked on jet wiring for decades need to ask how to strip wire?

Just curious…

23

Because jets don’t use 30 gauge or smaller wire. The minimum we use is 26 gauge and rarely. Mostly 18, 20, 22, & 24.

24

Bob, you’re right. However mobilman’s response to me was rather snarky if you catch my meaning. I mean why post a response to someone like that and not use a name? It seemed like it was aimed at me because he answered that way to me. In my opinion it was just a veiled snide comment. He should never have posted something like that in the first place, he should perhaps sent a PM to the person he was describing. To me if it acts like a duck…

25

I could be wrong, but I have been here a few years, and I don’t see where anyone I have seen posting for some time has offered anything unkind or that was intended to be snarky. I do think mobilman may have misspoken when he added to the post that Paul took exception to the following:

“To the OP, …etc.” I think it came across as if he forgot that he was actually addressing the OP at the time. It reads as if he thought he was pointing out an error to Paul, and then concluded that post with a direct answer to "the OP’, not realizing they were one and the same. So, Paul thought it odd, and perhaps aggressive or condescending.

Honestly, I do not believe for one second anyone meant anything except good will and to inform. Maybe the tone was a weeeeeee bit hostile because mobilman thought you were diminishing The Lion…? Could be.

We should really shake this off and get back to exchanging good info. [:P] As stated just above, I use a fresh clean sharp utility knife blade and just do a ‘mostly all around’ nick to the very thin insulation, and then try to just pull the insulation off the end of the wires. It sometimes is the case that I nick too much and have to start over.

Crandell

26

Model RR work requires smaller tools. The guys in the electrical lab at work use small diagonal pliers for smaller gauge wiring. It takes a little practice but they work great. Experiment with which side works better for you.

This is the one I have:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00945660000P?vName=Tools&cName=HandTools&sName=Cutters%20&%20Snipsmv=rr

27

Folks,

Sorry it took me so long to get back here (I was out doing the grocery thing).

To the OP… my comment had absolutely NOTHING to do with you. You are the comparative “newbie” that those of us that have been around love to help out.

I apologize if you thought I was referring to you, and in hindsight I should have mentioned that in my sarcastic posting. Trust me, those that have been around here awhile understand that.

The good folks on this forum will bust their humps to help you out, and I like to think I am one of them.

ENJOY !!!

28

Thanks Crandell. You’re completely correct in your post about me concluding that it was aimed at me.

Anyway, I originally asked because I have some really good strippers but they only go to 26. If I was attempting this with a knife on an aircraft and the FAA or a foreman saw me I’d be in deep trouble.

I like the idea of just using fingernails or making a very slight slice into the insulation with a knife. The problem is the wires could get shorter with mistakes and splicing would be a pain too.

Sometimes this hobby drives

29

Paul, you are right to worry about short wires getting shorter if you are not careful, but the fingernail method is still the safest way to go.

Just practice on some spare wire. Apply light pressure till you get it perfect.

Rich

30

Thanks for clarifying that mobilman. Have a good day.

31

Hi Rich,

I was just hiking through the woods and was thinking about this thing. If I have to make any mods to a locomotive (and I hope it’s not too soon) I’d just go ahead and replace all the wires with 22 gauge. It won’t hurt anything and such a short wire wouldn’t cause any resistance drop and it’d be easier to work with.

32

Sounds like a plan, Paul.

Meanwhile, if you need to strip insulation off thin wire, give the fingernail method a try. You may like it.

Rich

33

I have one of these from MicrMark and it works very well for really small wire:

http://www.micromark.com/SearchResult.aspx?deptIdFilter=0&searchPhrase=Hard+to+find+wire+stripper

Joe

34

Thanks Joe, that’s what I had in mind. I might get a pair but I want to try the fingernail trick first. I saved that page though, they look like a good tool. Can never have enough tools in my opinion.