[HCARC] Cutting COAX Cable

[Kerry Sandstrom]

Gary,

When I had a test team 40 years ago, I remember my NCO's (Ground Radio 
Repair types) had a little thing that looked like a pipe cutter but for 
soft metals like copper.  It really only had to do a couple sizes, a 
little under 1/2 " and a little under 1/4 ".  We used mostly RG-223/U 
(similar to RG-58/U except double shield) with some RG-214/U and RG-9/U 
(similar to RG-8/U except double silvered shields).  I think it had some 
kind of a thumb screw to adjust the size, but that was too many years 
ago.  I've never looked for something like that but I bet there might be 
something like that around.  As I said I would be more concerned about 
cutting the jacket and the braid.  When I want a nice even square cut, i 
use a single edge razor blade to cut the inner insulation.  I often 
still have to use a wire cutter to pull the insulation off the center 
conductor, especially for RG-8 and larger sizes.

Kerry


On 12/18/2014 2:17 PM, Gary J - N5BAA wrote:
> 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
>