How do you work with low gauge wires
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Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: General Mobile Electronics Questions and Answers
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=72603
Printed Date: May 02, 2024 at 9:18 PM
Topic: How do you work with low gauge wires
Posted By: groggy23
Subject: How do you work with low gauge wires
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 1:11 AM
I'm just curious for all of you that work with different gauges of wires and stuff... How do you strip and crimp low gauge wires, like 1/0 - 8 gauge. My old crappy radio shack wire stripper/crimper is only good for 12 gauge and higher. So when I'm working with 10 gauge wiring or lower I use scissors and cut around the insulation and just pull it off... For crimping I again just use my stripper/crimper but only good to about 8 gauge and even that I do a crappy job of it. I saw some like high-grade crimping tools but they go for 100 bucks or more. Anyone have any suggestions for a nice quality crimper/stripper to use for for larger gauge 8 and below.
Replies:
Posted By: electrostatic
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 9:59 AM
klein makes strippers that'll-do 6-12 gauge. for lower gauges i use a cable jacket cutter. you can set the depth of cut with this tool. in a pinch i'll use an exacto-knife or utility knife to score the insulation and tear it free with lineman's pliers. the crimp tools i use sound out of your price range, except for a hammer-strike crimper. i use high leverage crimper's for 4-10 gauge
well over a $100. the appropriate crimp tools make for reliable connection.
Posted By: groggy23
Date Posted: February 11, 2006 at 3:18 PM
I defenitely don't mind paying more for reliability.. Who is klein is it a brand name? I'll look into that. Those high leverage crimpers, are those the ones with the long handles? I'm sure I can buy these at my local home depot/lowes store?
Posted By: Hoptup32
Date Posted: February 15, 2006 at 7:38 PM
American AutoWire has an inexpensive crimping star that fits in a vise to crimp 8ga. thru 1/0 wire terminals. https://www.americanautowire.com/products/Battery_Accessories__Disconnects.cfm Its good for the occassion large cable crimp. It does a suprisingly good job too!
Posted By: speedwayaudio1
Date Posted: February 15, 2006 at 11:55 PM
I use a razor knife (box cutter, carpet knife) to cut around the insulation for stripping. Crimping for 16 -8 awg I use a standerd crimper. For wire 4-1/0awg I use fence building crimpers or a good ole' hammer.
------------- Big Dave
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