On 6/21/07, KF6PYF@blaze1024.com <KF6PYF@blaze1024.com> wrote:
> Kelly Johnson wrote:
> > So, where can I find a stripper that will correctly strip my coax?
> >
> > I just switched to crimping about 2 months ago because I've had too
> > many problems with poorly soldered PL-259's. It's gonna cost me about
> > $200 next week to rent a lift so I can replace a bad feed to my 40m
> > yagi. I'm 99% certain it is another bad solder job on the PL-259.
> >
> > I bought 20 crimp-on PL-259's and a stripper a couple of months ago
> > from www.rfparts.com. I'm borrowing a friend's crimper. The problem
> > is that I can't seem to adjust the stripper to properly strip the
> > coax. I'm using 9913F cable. The stripper is part #RFA-4087. It was
> > an expensive stripper and the documentation suggests that it can be
> > adjusted and is suitable for 9913. Unfortunately, I can't figure out
> > how to adjust it to fit the connectors they sold me. Essentially, I
> > need 3 "strips", right? I need it to strip all the way down to the
> > center conductor, then nother strip that retains the dialectric, but
> > cuts away the braid and finally a third cut that only cuts the outside
> > jacket. I see no way to do this with this stripper. I improvised and
> > used the stripper for 2 of the 3 cuts, but then I had to do the rest
> > by hand. Certainly not worth the money I paid for it. Is there a
> > better one?
> >
> >
> > On 6/21/07, Jim Lux <jimlux@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >
> >> At 07:27 AM 6/21/2007, Pat Barthelow wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>> Hello Greg,
> >>> Uh - Oh...
> >>>
> >>> This is almost like the true north thread. Well discussed, addressed,
> >>> here.
> >>> Crimp Connectors seem to have every thing...Reliability, speed/ease of
> >>> installation, longevity, if proper tools are used. Especially good choice
> >>> in your situation. Preferred method for Aircraft installations, though
> >>> for
> >>> BNCs and N connectors, not PL-259s.
> >>>
> >> I'd agree. The only disadvantage is the cost of the tool. You need
> >> both a good stripper that does *exactly* the right strip of the coax
> >> AND a crimper and dies that *match* the connector you're
> >> using. There are lots of slightly different connectors, and crimping
> >> with the wrong die will almost work right.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
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> >>
> >>
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>
> The problem is not the stripper, but not knowing how to use it. A coax
> stripper in my opinion is a complete waste of money. I can strip coax
> with a sharp razor blade faster and much more accurate then a coax
> stripper ever could and I never nick the conductors.
>
Maybe you can, but I can't. I'd prefer a stripper. Can I use a razor
blade? Yes. I've done it this way for decades. Do I like using a
razor blade? No, esp. when I have about 20 connectors to put on.
> The problem is you are expecting the coax stripper cut all the way
> through the outer jacket or inner dielectric without ever touching the
> shield or center conductor.. That won't ever happen its not possible
> without using some sort of computerized laser cutter.
>
I'm not looking for perfection, esp. as far as "depth" goes. Making
the cuts at the right point along the length of coax does not require
laser precision. My problem isn't with the depth of the cuts, it is
with the location of the cuts.
> All you need the stripper to do is score the outside of the jacket,
> simple as that. After you make the score then you flex the coax and the
> jacket will split right at the score mark. It's kind of like cutting
> glass...... Same thing for the inner conductor you adjust it so the
> stripper cuts almost to the center conductor then take a pair of pliers
> or your hand and give the inner dielectric a twist and it will shear at
> the score line.
>
Agreed, but I need the cuts in the right place. Cuts that are too
deep are worthless. Shallow cuts can be dealt with as you described,
but cuts in the wrong location are completely worthless. That's the
problem I have with this stripper.
> When you get the hang of it it's very simple. Like I said, I strip coax
> all the time with nothing more then a razor blade and I never nick the
> conductors because I never get close enough. I just make a light score
> in the jacket where I want the cut and flex the coax Perfect cut every
> time...
>
>
Cutting the jacket is easy. Cutting the dialectric down to the center
conductor is easy too. Cutting the braid without cutting the
dialectric is my problem.
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