Proper way to strip flex outer sheath?

[mrscalex]

Is there a tool to strip the outer sheath off flex cable? With Cat5 cable you get a tool which you 'clamp' onto the cable and then twirl through 360 deg. It does a great job of removing the outer and leaving the inners untouched.

I have simple strippers with an adjustable v-notch and so-called 'automatic' wire strippers but both are hopeless for the outer on flex.

I don't like running a Stanley knife round flex as invariably I nick an inner as they are so close to the surface.

Thanks,

Robert

 

[andy]

Is there a tool to strip the outer sheath off flex cable? With Cat5 cable you get a tool which you 'clamp' onto the cable and then twirl through 360 deg. It does a great job of removing the outer and leaving the inners untouched.

I have simple strippers with an adjustable v-notch and so-called 'automatic' wire strippers but both are hopeless for the outer on flex.

I don't like running a Stanley knife round flex as invariably I nick an inner as they are so close to the surface.

Thanks,

Robert

either get a stripping tool which has a blade and cuts round the cable but is limited to depth, or use sidecutters, carefully cuttin round the flex

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I find a retractable blade Stanley, with a sharp blade, ideal.

With the blade advanced by a small amount, run it down the flat sides of the sheath in line with the cpc. It will cut through it enough so that you can tear it apart with your fingers. Don't be tempted to use the cpc to rip through it as it will stress it.

 

[mapj1]

Sometimes an unzipping action is safer - it reduces the risk of nicked cores. Flay ends and pull apart. Only suitable for thinner flexes.