[HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable

[Kerry Sandstrom]

Gary,

When you use solder type connectors it doesn't matter.  If you look at 
the wire stripping dimensions for Amphenol 83-ISP (PL-259) you strip 
back everything except the center conductor for 5/8 " whether it is 
RG-8/U or RG-58/59/u cable.  For the various N-Type connectors it looks 
like you strip back between 1/8 and 1/4.  I've never had a problem with 
the cable being too distorted where I cut it off.  I use a pair of large 
wire cutters and/or a single edge sharp razor blade to prepare the 
cables for connectors.  I've seen special tools for preparing cables for 
connectors.  If I was selling cable with connectors on them or making a 
lot of cables for use above a Ghz or making high voltage pulse cables 
then I might think about a special wire stripper but for HF ham use I 
don't think it is worth it.

If you want a special tool go ahead and buy one, but hams have been 
putting connectors on cables since the late 40's early 50's without 
special tools and with very few problems after a little practice. By the 
way, the tricky cut is the one where you cut the outer jacket but not 
the braid.  That is the one that takes practice to do it without nicking 
the braid.

Kerry


On 12/18/2014 1:18 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote:
> What do you all use for getting a nice square smooth cut across RG-8 and LMR-400 and even larger COAX Cable??  Every time I try to use wire cutters I just end up with a ragged out of round cable end.  I have seen some of these for sale on Ebay and wonder if they are the secret??  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ratchet-Cable-Wire-Cutter-Cut-Up-To-240mm2-Ratcheting-Wire-Cutting-Hand-Tool-New-/381091272891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58bacf58bb
>
> Or maybe a pair of ratcheting PVC pipe cutters might work.
>
> Gary J
> N5BAA
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