Stripping Speaker Wires Problem

[PCFan]

When I strip my speaker cable some the copper strands break off. Is it ok to still use the speaker wire if some of the copper strands break off?

[sinister184]

technically it is, but if i cut strands of copper i alwasy start over. If your using scissors just be more careful

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by PCFan

When I strip my speaker cable some the copper strands break off. Is it ok to still use the speaker wire if some of the copper strands break off?

Are you using A wire stripper to get the coating off the wire . Its best to have all the wire there .

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Are you using A wire stripper to get the coating off the wire . Its best to have all the wire there .

I'm using a wire stripper. Am I suppose to pull off the insulation with my fingers or with the wire stripper?

[ZIPPO]

I use these: http://www.amazon.com/Klein-1011-Str...1&sr=8-1-spell

can also buy at Home Depot.

Was featured in Home Theater Magazine this month.
"Klein 1011 Wire Stripper ($14)
Bad ways to strip the insulation off speaker cables: with a steak knife, a razor blade, or your teeth. What you need is a stripping tool. It looks like a pair of pliers with different-sized notches for various cable diameters. The Klein 1011 handles cables between 10 and 20 gauge."

[Rob J in WNY]

Yup, the idea is to use the correct stripper gauge size to cut through most of the insulation, then pulling it away finishes its severance from the wire, ensuring every strand is intact.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by PCFan

I'm using a wire stripper. Am I suppose to pull off the insulation with my fingers or with the wire stripper?

You should use the wire stripper to pull it off .

If you know what gauge wire it is & you are using that on the stripper tool & it is cutting some wires then go to the next size up & try it . I have done this on certain wires & it worked .

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by PCFan

I'm using a wire stripper. Am I suppose to pull off the insulation with my fingers or with the wire stripper?

Wire stripper. Is your wire stripper correctly gauged & sharp?

[xneox]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

You should use the wire stripper to pull it off .

If you know what gauge wire it is & you are using that on the stripper tool & it is cutting some wires then go to the next size up & try it . I have done this on certain wires & it worked .

What he said.

Plus, make sure you're holding the tool perpendicular to the wire. Sometimes you can cut into and remove strands if you're holding the tool at an angle relative to the wire being stripped.

[lutefisk69]

A good rule of thumb is to make sure that the stripped portion of the wire is the same overall size as the wire still in the insulation. If it is not, it should be cut and redone.

[Hammie]

My 12AWG Monoprice wire needs to be stripped with the 10AWG position on my wire stripper otherwise, I loose tons of strands.

It depends on what I use to pull the insulation off. Sometimes the wire stripper does a great job. Other times I need to use needlenose pliers.

[Jbald87]

If all else fails do it the way I used to when I was 16, use lighters!