He's talking cutters, not strippers and that is a good point. I bought a
whole set of cutters, strippers, crimpers, a while back. It wasn't cheap but
it's more than paid for itself already.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 8:48 PM
Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
> Ed:
>
> I've got a special coax stripper from The RF Connection, so I'm fine on
> that
> score.
>
> It's just working with it and getting it successfully onto the connector
> without any shorts that I'm still struggling with.
>
> But, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually.
>
> I've had much more challenging learning curves; it's just a matter of
> getting the time to really sit down and work things out thoroughly.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ed Malmgren" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 6:44 PM
> Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
>
>
>> Tom, also cut coax with cutters that don't flatten or flare the wire. 73
>> Ed K7UC
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Steve Forst" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 4:06 PM
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Tinning the center conductor of RG8X coax
>>
>>> Tom,
>>>
>>> The best way to solder is the same way to get to Carnegie Hall:
>>> "Practice man, practice."
>>>
>>> Try some practice runs on some scrap wire. Heat the wire with the gun
>>> and give it a few seconds, then touch the solder to the wire and if it
>>> is hot enough, the solder will flow. Don't overdo it, too much solder
>>> will make lumps and bumps that might make it hard to insert into the
>>> center pin if it is a close tolerance to begin with.
>>>
>>> Something else you can try: Strip the coax maybe an inch and a half
>>> longer than you would normally do. When you've pulled off the waste
>>> parts you will have a much longer stripped center conductor. You can
>>> grab this with your fingers and *gently* insert into the connector and
>>> feel for the hole of the center pin and slip it through. Slide the
>>> connector down all the way, check for shorts, then snip off the excess
>>> center conductor protruding past the tip. I've found this works
>>> pretty well for me.
>>>
>>> Also, when stripping the coax and pulling off the waste center
>>> insulation, be sure the end of the stranded wire didn't try and unravel
>>> a bit Snip off any little bits at the end if needed. When
>>> you think you have it ready to go, try inserting into the other end of
>>> the center pin. If it won't go in that way, figure out why before
>>> trying to insert the correct way. This is also good to try if you
>>> solder the wire. If it won't go in from the open end, it won't go in
>>> from inside the connector.
>>>
>>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>>
>>> On 5/21/2013 10:34 PM, Tom Behler wrote:
>>>> Hi, all.
>>>>
>>>> I'm making up some coax jumpers with some extra RG8X coax that I have,
>>>> and
>>>> the crimp-solder PL259 connectors I bought several years ago from Joel
>>>> at
>>>> The RF Connection.
>>>>
>>>> These connectors are the type that you thread the center conductor
>>>> through
>>>> the pin of the connector, and solder it to the connector tip. You then
>>>> crimp the shield to a small metal sleve that goes over the front
>>>> portion
>>>> of
>>>> the connector body.
>>>>
>>>> The RB8X cable I'm working with has a multi-strand center conductor,
>>>> and
>>>> a
>>>> few of the strands seem to want to bend in on themselves, and therefore
>>>> touch the connector body.
>>>>
>>>> My thinking is that the way to avoid this issue would be to tin the
>>>> center
>>>> conductor strands prior to inserting them into the center of the
>>>> connector
>>>> and out the pin end.
>>>>
>>>> Does anyone have a relatively fool proof way to tin the multi-strand
>>>> center
>>>> conductor with solder and a soldering iron?
>>>>
>>>> Still in learning curve mode here, but one of my goals in life
>>>> continues
>>>> to
>>>> be making successful PL259 coax connedctions independently, and I don't
>>>> give
>>>> up easily.
>>>>
>>>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>
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