3183Y Pond Flex frustrations. The "proper" way to strip this material

[Marti]

Good evening folk,
Recently took a role that involves using a lot of 2.5 mm 3183Y "pond flex".
Is there an easy way to strip the outer sheath without risk of nicking the inner core insulation? Slicing and tugging might have been OK for the occasional garden light install but something faster and less chance of damage is called for; not that I wanna be mistaken for a professional or nuffin'!

 

[littlespark]

Just practice with a sharp knife.... score a ring around the flex and then bend in different directions until it splits open. Slide off the outer sheath.

All these tools that claim to strip cables automatically are next to useless unless you get a really good ones.

What needs 2.5mm flex?

 

[GBDamo]

One method, although you might struggle with 2.5mm², is to score and then use an auto stripper.

I bought 100m of 1.5mm² 3183Y white, as it all the wholesalers had, and have been slowly working through it using this method.

Gives a really nice finish but 2.5mm² probably won't fit in the jaws.

 

[telectrix]

i have a ringing sheath stripper but it's poor on pond flex as the sheath is so soft. a sharp knife or a scalpel is the answer, used carefully. sometimes easier to slice the sheath longitudinally and peel back then cut.

 

[nicebutdim]

 

[brianmoooore]

The only successful way I've ever stripped 3183Y is to push a small screwdriver in from the cut end, force the point of the screwdriver through the sheath, then pull the point back, splitting the sheath as it goes. If you need more sheath removed, hold all three cores in one hand, the sheath in the other and pull. Trim the removed sheath neatly with side cutters.

 

[pc1966]

I have not found an easy universal way yet

I tend to score round with a Stanley knife and then bend to split the outer, but you need considerable care not to nick the primary insulation, and if you need long tails its not always easy to pull off without stretching the primary insulation either. Length-wise score and using the cores to split sideways also works, but again not always easy.

 

[Timbo]

Nibble round carefully with side cutters.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Sharp cable shears and spin around the cable a few times with loose pressure on the jaws

 

[Marti]

Thanks guys. I am probably trying variations of your methods but the "stretchyness" of 3183Y is what makes it resilient in use and so laughs off attempts to to dismantle it. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Dave OCD]

What are you connecting up seeing as it's 2.5 Marti ?

 

[pc1966]

Good point, 2.5mm could power quite a fountain pump!

 

[Vortigern]

Cyclops Cable Stripping Tool

 

[nicebutdim]

I have not found an easy universal way yet

I tend to score round with a Stanley knife and then bend to split the outer, but you need considerable care not to nick the primary insulation, and if you need long tails its not always easy to pull off without stretching the primary insulation either. Length-wise score and using the cores to split sideways also works, but again not always easy.

The stripper I linked a video of in post #5 covers both of these issues. Probably most useful for Hi-tuff/Tuff sheath, but looks as though it would be perfectly suited to this application.

 

[pc1966]

The stripper I linked a video of in post #5 covers both of these issues. Probably most useful for Hi-tuff/Tuff sheath, but looks as though it would be perfectly suited to this application.

I have a tool similar to that (from RS many years ago) and works well on Flexishield but not tried using it on the softer PCB style of cables. The cutter blade is adjustable but only intended for 1mm or so thick outers, still, that might score enough and do so safely.