[Elecraft] Toroid stuff

[gwwhatley at juno.com]

Is it ok if a bare portion of the winding touches the toroid?  A fellow K2 buildr says ok.  And the pix of the KPA 100 show the wire stripped bare right up on the toroid.
Also, KPA 100 manual says pull wire tight, which is tough if you have arthritis in your basilar (thumb) joint, as I have.  So, I am using pliers to tighten things up.  This OK?  Seems that if I pull too hard the insulation might be damaged and let the wire make electrical contace with the form.   Wonder why Elecraft did not mention use of pliers as a way to get snug windings?  Mebbe not OK?  Seems to depend on answer to my first question.  
 
Thanks, and 73, from N4YM