[HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable

[Gary J - N5BAA]

I think I will try using my PVC cutter.  It ratchets sort of like the one I 
posted from Ebay.  I use it all of the time for doing PVC pipe and hopefully 
it will also do soft wire (copper/aluminum) Coax cables.  It would be nice 
to have one tool that is multi-purpose.  I agree Kerry, there is an ART to 
cutting the outer insulation without doing in the wire braid.  I usually 
have to try a couple of times to get it right.

Gary J
N5BAA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Kerry Sandstrom
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2014 1:50 PM
To: Gary J - N5BAA ; HCARC Reflector
Subject: Re: [HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable

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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