Speedball small wire gauge?

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

I've had several of these small wires break while installing the speedball.
I need to buy some more.  What gauge are these small solid core wires?

 

[Thermioniclife]

Hello,
the solid core wire is 22awg. Either Teflon (ptfe) or pvc insulated, I prefer teflon. You must to be careful to not nick the conductor when stripping the wire as this creates a stress riser that will cause a break in the wire if you bend it. Use a quality stripper that can be adjusted to the appropriate wire gauge. hope this helped.

 

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

Thanks!  I'm positive that's what happened.  Weak point in the conductor.
I used a box cutter to cut the jacket off.
I'll get some new wire at some point and re-do that part of the Speedball install.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

Yeah, a box cutter will cut the wire.

The Ideal 45-098 is what Doc B. recommends.  I use Parts Express 360-015 and adjust it till it just barely pulls the insulation off, then I epoxy down the hardware so it can't move.

 

[Thermioniclife]

Glad I could help. Stay safe and enjoy your hobby.

 

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

Paul, does Bottlehead sell wire sets?
I think my larger gauge wire is fine, but the smaller stuff needs to be replaced I think.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

You can contact replacementparts(at)bottlehead(dot)com and ask about purchasing a Speedball wire bag. 

The wire we use is pretty expensive to buy by the foot, and you'll likely pay a lot for shipping from a reseller too.

 

[Thermioniclife]

This is by far my most fav stripper for solid conductors, made by CK industries in Germany. there expensive but good.
I have used them for at least 10 years and are great for PTFE. Do not buy a Chinese knockoff that looks the same but is labeled OK industries.

 

[Jameson]

I use the Ideal Doc recommended and love it.

 

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

You can contact replacementparts(at)bottlehead(dot)com and ask about purchasing a Speedball wire bag. 

The wire we use is pretty expensive to buy by the foot, and you'll likely pay a lot for shipping from a reseller too.

Will do.  I don't want to have to buy 100 feet of each color either.
Thanks!

 

[Mr. Electric Wizard]

I use the Ideal Doc recommended and love it.

Do you have a model number for this unit?

 

[Jameson]

45-098

 

[2wo]

I have a Amazon card burning a hole in my pocket, I'm going to try the Ideal. I use a Klein manual and it works great if you use a little care but can be tedious if you have a lot of wireing to do.

Paul, you can get a price break on 6 of the PE strippers, one for each gage. Look great lined up on a peg board ;D...John

 

[Adrian]

Yeah, a box cutter will cut the wire.

The Ideal 45-098 is what Doc B. recommends.  I use Parts Express 360-015 and adjust it till it just barely pulls the insulation off, then I epoxy down the hardware so it can't move.

I use the Parts Express wire stripper mentioned for the small gauge wire.
It works well but is somewhat tricky setting the size for the wire.  Once adjusted it works well.
Also, if I even think I may have nicked the wire, I cut it off and start over - I have had wires break under heat shrink and had a heck of a time finding the culprit.