Stripping Speaker Wire

[Eureka]

Okay... so I have to strip speaker wire. Do I have to use a wire stripper, or can I just carefully circumcise it with scissors?

Also, I'm reading about short-circuiting. Is there any good way to prevent that other than to minimize contact?

Norm

 

[corkyg]

Wire strippers are nice - but not essential. I have been stripping speaker wires for over 40 years with a knife. Just "circumcut" the insulation all the way around without getting in to the wires - then insert a couple of fingernails in the crack and pull. Wire is stripped.

To prevent shorting of speaker wires (usually due to stray strands) - tin them with a soldering iron/gun and solder.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I just use some scissors to cut mine too.

You can twist the strands together at the end to keep them together.

 

[LED]

Damn I wish my teeth were as good as they use to be 😉

Seriously a decent pair of wire strippers can be had for a few $'s

 

[beverage]

i normally use fingernails, or teeth for light guage wire

 

[Zelmo3]

Even if wire strippers can be had for little cash, I've found every set I've used to be problematic in that they either don't cut away enough of the plastic or they cut off some of the wires inside. Probably the easiest thing you can do is open a pair of scissors, hold the wire where the scissor blades come together, and rotate the scissors around the wire (or use a sharp knife, whatever is handy). Then twist the ends and tin as directed above.

 

[Eureka]

Well, I've done about 10 strippings using scissors... it's fun now. Also, can I extend speaker wire by twsiting the bare ends of two stripped wires together, and then insulating them with duct tape?

Norm

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: Zelmo3
Even if wire strippers can be had for little cash, I've found every set I've used to be problematic in that they either don't cut away enough of the plastic or they cut off some of the wires inside. Probably the easiest thing you can do is open a pair of scissors, hold the wire where the scissor blades come together, and rotate the scissors around the wire (or use a sharp knife, whatever is handy). Then twist the ends and tin as directed above.

Wow guess them tools that are made for specific purposes just aren't worth a damn...have to put mines away that has served me so well and marked for specific guages while I'm at it I better go back and use a rock for 1 hammer 😉

 

[Eureka]

Does accidentally chopping off one or two of the strands affect the overall performance?

BTW, don't be dissing the rock!

Norm

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
Does accidentally chopping off one or two of the strands affect the overall performance?

Not so's you'd notice.

 

[LED]

It would depend on the guage of wire but I doubt it and I wouldn't use Duct tape as an extension as that sticky goo could effect the contact of the connected wires...use something to cover it 1st...BTA You like using the Rock, Intel and Ducttape so it shouldn't hinder any of your performance 😉

 

[Eureka]

😛 Duct Tape and Rock solves everything!

Norm

 

[Future Shock]

Actually, I think a lit match works the best if you don't have wire strippers...you can guarantee that it won't cut any strands. Just don't breathe too much of those fumes in..

FS

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: cevilgenius
😛 Duct Tape and Rock solves everything!

Norm

2 things I always have...and wire 😉

 

[theslickvik]

I would recomend using a kitchen pearing Knife (its the short and sharp one) After circumcizing it proceed to digging your nails underneath it and removin the plastic. Twist the wires together to prevent short circuiting.