I like to prototype with 30ga kynar-insulated wire-wrap wire, commonly seen in blue. I think everyone on the planet does re-work with the stuff, too. There's a trick to stripping the insulation without going crazy. If you cut and strip the wire in the usual manner, often the whole insulation slides right off, which is extremely frustrating. Maybe people already know how to avoid this, but I figured I'd share it just in case. It took me years to stumble on to it. The trick is to only strip one end, and do it while the piece is still on the reel (before cutting to length).

STEP 1:

Strip off twice as much insulation as you want on each end. Do this while the wire is still connected to the reel.

STEP 2:

Cut the wire to length.

STEP 3:

Slide the insulation to expose the wire on both ends.

Happy soldering!

Discussions

deʃhipu wrote 11/24/2018 at 19:55

Nice trick. Please excuse me my OCD, but can you please add the missing "t" in the title?

Are you sure? yes | no

Ted Yapo wrote 11/24/2018 at 21:04

Thanks!

But, really, proper speeling is for the weak.

Are you sure? yes | no

Jan wrote 11/24/2018 at 08:34

Interesting. I had to google that stuff to see what you mean. Haven't seen or used that wire, but as it turns out it's wire wrap stuff?!
I always used either 26AWG (0.14mm²) PVC insulated litz wire or single stranded copper wire from the rigid type of CAT network cable. PVC insulation melting back while tinning always was a pain though :)

But I started soldering in the early 90s, so what do I know of what you fellas used back then :)

Are you sure? yes | no

Ted Yapo wrote 11/24/2018 at 16:08

I'll use wires from CAT network cable if I need a heavier conductor. Eventually I step up to 14ga conductors from romex cable (home power wiring).

Are you sure? yes | no

Jarrett wrote 11/24/2018 at 04:14

I find it's actually possible to strip this stuff with my fingernail, and I get a lot of control with that

Are you sure? yes | no

Ted Yapo wrote 11/24/2018 at 16:10

Hmm, I'm going to have to try that.

I find a fingernail useful for holding down SMD components during hand soldering ... fingernails don't conduct heat very well.

Are you sure? yes | no

zakqwy wrote 11/24/2018 at 20:13

Agreed, the fingernail works quite well. I have a roll of Adafruit's 30AWG wire-wrap wire, I'm not sure if it's Kynar or something else. Great stuff.

Are you sure? yes | no

Stripping blue wire

STEP 1:

STEP 2:

STEP 3:

How I learned to stop worrying and love the reflow

Gated ring oscillators for...something

Discussions

Become a Hackaday.io Member