Just switched from wire strippers to a thermal stripper for Tefzel wire

Been doing avionics for about 12 years now. Always used standard wire strippers on Tefzel wire like everyone else. Last month I nicked a wire on a Garmin harness for a Cessna 172 in Kansas City. Had to redo the whole bundle. Buddy at the hangar handed me a Hakko thermal stripper. Took me a day to get used to it but no more nicks. Anyone else made the switch and regretted not doing it sooner?

2 comments

2 Comments

david_adams25d ago

Thermal strippers are a game changer once you dial in the temp right. Had the same issue with nicking on shielded bundles, especially in tight spots where you can't see the wire. Biggest tip is to let the tool sit on the jacket a second longer than you think, then pull, not twist. Also, keep the tips clean or you'll get inconsistent cuts. Made the switch two years ago and never looked back.

zara_perez6223d ago

Question whether it's really that deep though. I mean, I've used thermal strippers a few times and yeah they're fine, but half the job is just having steady hands and decent eyesight. Seems like people make wire stripping sound like rocket science when it's really just practice.