Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Byron Servies]

I second these tweezers. They're great.

While Elecraft supplies heat strippable wire, everything else I have
isn't and the tweezers make easy work of it.

73, Byron N6NUL

On Fri, Dec 24, 2021 at 5:43 PM Peter Hall  wrote:
>
> Hi Gwen,
>
> I love my Hakko FR301 de-soldering gun but, while I've used a variety of 
> melt/burn techniques for enamel wire insulation, I had not thought of using 
> the de-soldering tool.  I haven't noticed anyone mention wire stripping 
> tweezers, which I've found to be a really handy tool when making inductors 
> with a variety of wire sizes. I settled on a single size tweezer:
>
> https://au.element14.com/knipex/15-11-120/wire-stripper-0-6mm/dp/875958?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Ongl-b99AIVwg5yCh3cgwwJEAQYASABEgLFsPD_BwE=_dc|pcrid|501152839127|pkw||pmt||slid||product|875958|pgrid|123988903131|ptaid|pla-293946777986|=KNC-GAU-GEN-SMART-SHOPPING
>
> Purists would probably have a few different sizes but the one referenced 
> deals with my requirements for small receiving toroids, up to (e.g.) the LPF 
> inductors in the 2200 m PA I've just finished (about 16 AWG, as I recall).  
> These tweezers are very sharp and quite compact, so they can be angled to 
> optimize the tinned lengths on e.g. partially-mounted toroids.  It's a 
> slightly longer and calmer process than the melt/burn approach.
>
> 73, Peter (VK6HP).
>
>
>
> -Original Message-
> From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
> Behalf Of Gwen Patton
> Sent: Saturday, 25 December 2021 3:53 AM
> To: Elecraft 
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, 
> Reliably
>
> I'd love to have one of those vacuum desoldering tools. I feel in techno-lust 
> with them watching Mr. Carlson's Lab on YouTube. I might try that trick you 
> discovered, but I found that my electronic plasma arc lighter burns off 
> enamel on anything but the thickest of magnet wire. Hold the wire with 
> pliers, though, the inductance heats the wire very fast, and the enamel burns 
> off in a twinkling.
>
> I'd avoid using the plasma arc trick on a toroid already soldered to the 
> board at the other end. That might let out more than a little bit of magic 
> smoke.
>
> 73,
> Gwen, NG3P
>
> On Fri, Dec 24, 2021, 12:35 PM CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft < 
> elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>
> >
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-- 
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- CU in the Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2022
- www.cqp.org
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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Peter Hall]

Hi Gwen,

I love my Hakko FR301 de-soldering gun but, while I've used a variety of 
melt/burn techniques for enamel wire insulation, I had not thought of using the 
de-soldering tool.  I haven't noticed anyone mention wire stripping tweezers, 
which I've found to be a really handy tool when making inductors with a variety 
of wire sizes. I settled on a single size tweezer:

https://au.element14.com/knipex/15-11-120/wire-stripper-0-6mm/dp/875958?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Ongl-b99AIVwg5yCh3cgwwJEAQYASABEgLFsPD_BwE=_dc|pcrid|501152839127|pkw||pmt||slid||product|875958|pgrid|123988903131|ptaid|pla-293946777986|=KNC-GAU-GEN-SMART-SHOPPING

Purists would probably have a few different sizes but the one referenced deals 
with my requirements for small receiving toroids, up to (e.g.) the LPF 
inductors in the 2200 m PA I've just finished (about 16 AWG, as I recall).  
These tweezers are very sharp and quite compact, so they can be angled to 
optimize the tinned lengths on e.g. partially-mounted toroids.  It's a slightly 
longer and calmer process than the melt/burn approach.

73, Peter (VK6HP).



-Original Message-
From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net  On 
Behalf Of Gwen Patton
Sent: Saturday, 25 December 2021 3:53 AM
To: Elecraft 
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

I'd love to have one of those vacuum desoldering tools. I feel in techno-lust 
with them watching Mr. Carlson's Lab on YouTube. I might try that trick you 
discovered, but I found that my electronic plasma arc lighter burns off enamel 
on anything but the thickest of magnet wire. Hold the wire with pliers, though, 
the inductance heats the wire very fast, and the enamel burns off in a 
twinkling.

I'd avoid using the plasma arc trick on a toroid already soldered to the board 
at the other end. That might let out more than a little bit of magic smoke.

73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Fri, Dec 24, 2021, 12:35 PM CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft < 
elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote:

>
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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[SteveL]

The trick is to get a small blob of fresh melted solder on/in the tip of the 
desoldering tool.  It will stay there as you slowly insert the enameled wire 
through the blob and into the tip of the tool an inch or so, melting off the 
insulation as you go before activating the vacuum.  Practice a couple of times 
on scrap wire to get the non-critical timing right and build your confidence.  

I’ve only tried fine (22 - 30) gauge or so wire typical of QRP or receiver 
designs.  For a high-current heavy gauge wire used in power applications, I 
suspect some combination of the usual sanding, burning, and scraping would be 
appropriate.

It really is brilliant!  I wish I could remember who I got the idea from years 
ago, but I thought it such a good “secret” that I promised (mentally) to pass 
it along periodically - particularly when the subject comes up.  Like most, 
until that point I struggled sanding, burning, scraping… to get enameled wire 
clean enough for soldering, never confident the job was well done.  No longer 
with this method.

Merry Christmas,
Steve
AA8AF

> On Dec 24, 2021, at 12:46 AM, Rick Tavan  wrote:
> 
> Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? ;-) 
> 
> I have a toroid winding project waiting for me and will use this technique 
> with pleasure. Thanks for posting.
> 
> 73,
> 
> /Rick N6XI
> 
> On Thu, Dec 23, 2021 at 8:50 PM SteveL  > wrote:
> Jerry,
> Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808 desolating tool 
> was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and tinning device.   The 808 
> has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would expect similar results from this 
> newer tool.  Either are stand-alone desoldering guns with heated hollow tip 
> and built in vacuum.  
> 
> Here’s how to use… 
> - Prop the tool upright - I wedge mine in a partially opened drawer of my 
> work desk.
> - Melt a blob of fresh solder on the hollow tip.
> - Slowly insert an inch of enameled wire into the hollow tip and observe the 
> insulation melt/burn away.
> - In a second or two, activate the trigger turning on the vacuum.  Instantly 
> the solder blob is whisked away along with the melted enamel insulation 
> leaving a beautiful tinned wire ready for soldering into your project.
> 
> When I discovered this “secret” all my problems and fears of preparing toroid 
> leads vanished.  Strangely, I actually look forward to winding toroids!  I 
> probably use the tool more for stripping enameled wire than desoldering.  
> This was a game changer for me.  After building the K2, I went on to 
> construct a K1 and KX1.
> 
> And, the tool conveniently doubles as a desoldering tool!!
> 
> 73,
> Steve
> AA8AF 
> 
> > 
> >> My K2 PLL problems all originated in one inadequately tinned toroid
> >> wire.
> > 
> > *** After having a few projects borked because of this exact issue, I broke
> > down and bought a magnet wire stripper on Amazon.
> > 
> > https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09695CHTH 
> > 
> > 
> >  Basically a Chinese copy of a really expensive German tool.  It has blades 
> > that
> > close down on the wire with centripetal force.  Works great for thicker 
> > wires,
> > but is not reliable with really thin ones - it can just chop the wire off.  
> > I seem
> > to remember the cutoff being around 24AWG.
> > 
> >   The tool paid for itself on one KW Low Pass Filter project.
> > 
> >   - Jerry KF6VB
> 
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> -- 
> --
> 
> Rick Tavan
> Truckee and Saratoga, CA

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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Don Wilhelm]

Doug,

I use 800 deg F and a wide tip to get the job done.
Of course my Hakko 808 is a lot easier.  Clean the inside of the Hakkko 
tip after a few toroids.


73,
Don W3FPR


On 12/24/2021 11:25 AM, Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft wrote:

How hot does the solder need to be to burn off magnet wire insulation? I have 
my soldering station set to 710 degrees, and that does not seem to be enough 
when I try the “blob on end of iron” method.

Doug, W0UHU.


On 24Dec, 2021, at 8:47 AM, jerry  wrote:

On 2021-12-23 20:49, SteveL wrote:

Jerry,
Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808
desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and
tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would
expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone
desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.

*** And there are Chinese copies available.  I got one, it works just
fine.  I never thought of using it to strip magnet wire!  Gotta go try that.

The spinning stripper tool works great for wire thicker than 24AWG or so.  But 
for
thin "receiver" wires it just breaks them off.

 - Jerry KF6VB


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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Gwen Patton]

I'd love to have one of those vacuum desoldering tools. I feel in
techno-lust with them watching Mr. Carlson's Lab on YouTube. I might try
that trick you discovered, but I found that my electronic plasma arc
lighter burns off enamel on anything but the thickest of magnet wire. Hold
the wire with pliers, though, the inductance heats the wire very fast, and
the enamel burns off in a twinkling.

I'd avoid using the plasma arc trick on a toroid already soldered to the
board at the other end. That might let out more than a little bit of magic
smoke.

73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Fri, Dec 24, 2021, 12:35 PM CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft <
elecraft@mailman.qth.net> wrote:

>
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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[CUTTER DAVID via Elecraft]

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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[jerry]

It depends on the wire.  I have a roll of "high temperature" 16AWG that 
laughs
at my attempts.  I generally keep my station at 750, that seems to work 
OK for
the low temperature stuff.  But even with the lo-temp stuff, you have to 
be patient.


 - Jerry KF6VB



On 2021-12-24 08:25, Douglas Hagerman wrote:

How hot does the solder need to be to burn off magnet wire insulation?
I have my soldering station set to 710 degrees, and that does not seem
to be enough when I try the “blob on end of iron” method.

Doug, W0UHU.


On 24Dec, 2021, at 8:47 AM, jerry  wrote:

On 2021-12-23 20:49, SteveL wrote:

Jerry,
Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808
desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and
tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would
expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone
desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.


*** And there are Chinese copies available.  I got one, it works just
fine.  I never thought of using it to strip magnet wire!  Gotta go try 
that.


The spinning stripper tool works great for wire thicker than 24AWG or 
so.  But for

thin "receiver" wires it just breaks them off.

- Jerry KF6VB


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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Douglas Hagerman via Elecraft]

How hot does the solder need to be to burn off magnet wire insulation? I have 
my soldering station set to 710 degrees, and that does not seem to be enough 
when I try the “blob on end of iron” method.

Doug, W0UHU.

> On 24Dec, 2021, at 8:47 AM, jerry  wrote:
> 
> On 2021-12-23 20:49, SteveL wrote:
>> Jerry,
>> Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808
>> desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and
>> tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would
>> expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone
>> desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.
> 
> *** And there are Chinese copies available.  I got one, it works just
> fine.  I never thought of using it to strip magnet wire!  Gotta go try that.
> 
> The spinning stripper tool works great for wire thicker than 24AWG or so.  
> But for
> thin "receiver" wires it just breaks them off.
> 
> - Jerry KF6VB
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[jerry]

On 2021-12-23 20:49, SteveL wrote:

Jerry,
Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808
desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and
tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would
expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone
desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.


*** And there are Chinese copies available.  I got one, it works just
fine.  I never thought of using it to strip magnet wire!  Gotta go try 
that.


The spinning stripper tool works great for wire thicker than 24AWG or 
so.  But for

thin "receiver" wires it just breaks them off.

 - Jerry KF6VB

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Re: [Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP]

The tool also tins litz wire effectively, not to mention making 
non-destructive removal of components child's play. It was very 
expensive in Israel (you can only buy it through their local 
representative, who doubles the price), but I have no regrets about 
buying it.


I installed an eyebolt in a convenient place in the back of the housing 
so I can hang it up, and I just clamp the eyebolt in a vise when I want 
to use it for tinning enameled or litz wire.


73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
CWops #5
Formerly K2VCO
https://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 24/12/2021 6:49, SteveL wrote:

Jerry, Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808
desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and
tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would
expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone
desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.

Here’s how to use… - Prop the tool upright - I wedge mine in a
partially opened drawer of my work desk. - Melt a blob of fresh
solder on the hollow tip. - Slowly insert an inch of enameled wire
into the hollow tip and observe the insulation melt/burn away. - In a
second or two, activate the trigger turning on the vacuum.  Instantly
the solder blob is whisked away along with the melted enamel
insulation leaving a beautiful tinned wire ready for soldering into
your project.

When I discovered this “secret” all my problems and fears of
preparing toroid leads vanished.  Strangely, I actually look forward
to winding toroids!  I probably use the tool more for stripping
enameled wire than desoldering.  This was a game changer for me.
After building the K2, I went on to construct a K1 and KX1.

And, the tool conveniently doubles as a desoldering tool!!

73, Steve AA8AF




My K2 PLL problems all originated in one inadequately tinned
toroid wire.


*** After having a few projects borked because of this exact issue,
I broke down and bought a magnet wire stripper on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09695CHTH

Basically a Chinese copy of a really expensive German tool.  It has
blades that close down on the wire with centripetal force.  Works
great for thicker wires, but is not reliable with really thin ones
- it can just chop the wire off.  I seem to remember the cutoff
being around 24AWG.

The tool paid for itself on one KW Low Pass Filter project.

- Jerry KF6VB

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