[Elecraft] Stripping & Tinning Enameled Wire - Fast, Easy, Reliably

[SteveL]

Jerry,
Years ago when I built my K2, somewhere I learned a Hakko 808 desolating tool was also an excellent enameled wire stripper and tinning device.   The 808 has been replaced by the FR-301 but I would expect similar results from this newer tool.  Either are stand-alone desoldering guns with heated hollow tip and built in vacuum.  

Here’s how to use… 
- Prop the tool upright - I wedge mine in a partially opened drawer of my work desk.
- Melt a blob of fresh solder on the hollow tip.
- Slowly insert an inch of enameled wire into the hollow tip and observe the insulation melt/burn away.
- In a second or two, activate the trigger turning on the vacuum.  Instantly the solder blob is whisked away along with the melted enamel insulation leaving a beautiful tinned wire ready for soldering into your project.

When I discovered this “secret” all my problems and fears of preparing toroid leads vanished.  Strangely, I actually look forward to winding toroids!  I probably use the tool more for stripping enameled wire than desoldering.  This was a game changer for me.  After building the K2, I went on to construct a K1 and KX1.

And, the tool conveniently doubles as a desoldering tool!!

73,
Steve
AA8AF 

> 
>> My K2 PLL problems all originated in one inadequately tinned toroid
>> wire.
> 
> *** After having a few projects borked because of this exact issue, I broke
> down and bought a magnet wire stripper on Amazon.
> 
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09695CHTH
> 
>  Basically a Chinese copy of a really expensive German tool.  It has blades that
> close down on the wire with centripetal force.  Works great for thicker wires,
> but is not reliable with really thin ones - it can just chop the wire off.  I seem
> to remember the cutoff being around 24AWG.
> 
>   The tool paid for itself on one KW Low Pass Filter project.
> 
>               - Jerry KF6VB