rynd2it Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 I have some 1mm leds with very thin wires. What's the best way to strip these wires so I can solder onto them? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 27 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 27 Are they enamelled wires?, if so, you should be able to solder through them. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynd2it Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 4 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said: Are they enamelled wires?, if so, you should be able to solder through them. Mike. No they seem to be plastic coated Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted January 27 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 27 9 minutes ago, rynd2it said: No they seem to be plastic coated In that case, very carefully! But seriously, I strip decoder thin wires with my teeth, I don't let anything, knife or cutters, with a sharp edge anywhere near the cable. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynd2it Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 4 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said: In that case, very carefully! But seriously, I strip decoder thin wires with my teeth, I don't let anything, knife or cutters, with a sharp edge anywhere near the cable. Mike. These are thinner than decoder wires, only slightly thicker than human hair. I was wondering if there was a chemical that would dissolve the coating Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
idd15 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 You may find you actually burn off the insulation with your soldering iron, there are “enamelled “ wires made so you can do this. The trade name escapes me at the moment! Alternatively you could use fine abrasive paper by gently pulling the wire through it. hth idd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 It's probably Kynar wire; doesn't burn off under a soldering iron and too fine to strip with cutting tools. You melt it off .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mddc1JX-EWI Don't get the iron too close to the LED itself or you can cause heat damage 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynd2it Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 2 minutes ago, idd15 said: You may find you actually burn off the insulation with your soldering iron, there are “enamelled “ wires made so you can do this. The trade name escapes me at the moment! Alternatively you could use fine abrasive paper by gently pulling the wire through it. hth idd I can't change the wires but the abrasive paper might work, I'll try it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynd2it Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 1 hour ago, Michael Hodgson said: It's probably Kynar wire; doesn't burn off under a soldering iron and too fine to strip with cutting tools. You melt it off .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mddc1JX-EWI Don't get the iron too close to the LED itself or you can cause heat damage That looks like it might do the job although as the last comment on the video said - it's not Kynar wire. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damo666 Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 2 hours ago, rynd2it said: No they seem to be plastic coated As a teenager, when using the very fine armature wire you'll see on loco motors, I used to dip the end of the wire I wanted stripped into methylated spirits, remove and then light the end. A very quick flame would burn off the insulation at the end of the wire quickly and neatly without removing excess insulation and without damaging the wire either. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynd2it Posted January 27 Author Share Posted January 27 I have just done some experiments, the soldering iron trick as in the video works well, the abrasive paper also works but needed quite coarse grit - 180 and not as neat 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now