Wire wrapping - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

6 Dec 2002

Hi
 I forgot to mention. Use a good sharp pair of wire
cutters. If you use some of the cheaper diagonals,
they flatten the wire, rather then cutting it.
This makes the job of stripping much harder since
the covering doesn't slide off easily.
 Just more of wire wrap lore.
Dwight

...
 From: "Dwight K. Elvey"
&lt;dwightk.elvey(a)amd.com&gt;

 From: "Jeffrey H. Ingber"
&lt;jingber(a)ix.netcom.com&gt;

On Fri, 2002-12-06 at 18:31, Dwight K. Elvey wrote:
  Hi Jeff
  This is a manual tool and takes a little practice.
 You need to first start by stripping about .75 to 1 inch of
 insulation from the end of the wire. There is a built 
Thanks to everyone who provided links.  After a few tries I've got it
figured out =).  

I ordered a roll of wire which has a built-in stripper which makes nice
1" cuts.  Pretty easy process, but I find the slit in the tool to be
annoying, as the wire would continually get caught in it.  What is the
purpose of this?  I assume it's to allow you to remove broken wire from
the tool easily?  I just kept a finger over the slit and eventually was
able to get some good wraps.  

If I had to do this more often I would probably spring for a better
tool, but for a once (or twice-off) this seems to do the job.  

Thanks!
Jeff 
Hi
 Like any skill, it takes practice. You want to feed the
free end of the wire through the side that doesn't have
the stripper on it. You then push the wire into the
groove with a finger nail. If done correctly, you won't
have a bend in the wire at the stripper and the wire
will not break when you strip it.
 You'll find that the spool/stripper unit have the same
problem. The only strippers I've ever found that worked
well on wire wrap were those ones that looked like
small pliers and had white plastic shells that would
guide the wire onto stripper blades. I'm not sure who
sells these as they were units I picked up at a surplus
store.
 As for power wrappers. These require some skill to use
as well. With these, one can make a larger mess quicker
than using a manual tool. It is all about practice and
timing. I've used professional electric and air powered
wrapping tools. I also have one of those cheap battery
powered ones at home. With a little practice, I find
that I can do just as good a job with any of them.
 I've done larger projects. One needs to plan out the
flow of how you are going to place the wires. Two level
wire wrapping takes planning. Three level is a little
more forgiving but it is easy to bend the pins and cause
shorts.
Dwight

  in stripper. Look at the spring steel part in the
center
 of the tool. It has a slit in it that you slide the
 wire in and then pull the wire from the other side.
  Now that you have the end, thread the wire from the
 end, under the small sleeve and along the groove at the
 side of the shaft. It doesn't have to stay in the groove
 but make sure it doesn't get kinked or bent badly.
  Slide the tool and wire over a wire wrap post. Place
 your index finger at the unwrapper end and twizzle the
 tool clockwise. This is the tricky part. You need to
 put enough pressure with your index finger so that
 there are no opening between wraps but not too much
 or you'll get overlapped wraps. I also find that the
 first turn of the tool should have no pressure until
 the wire has one start wrap. You will also find
 that you won't be able to twizzle it to completion
 as one motion. You need to make sure that it doesn't
 back rotate as you go for another grab with your
 fingers ( this is where another hand comes in handy ).
  If you get an opening between wraps, don't think you
 can just squeeze it down to until it looks OK. This
 make a loose wrap that will have poor electrical connection.
 Overlapped wraps should be redone as well.
  Now, go and practice. You'll get the hang of it soon
 enough.
 Dwight