Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!decwrl!sgi!rpw3@rigden.wpd.sgi.com From: rpw3@rigden.wpd.sgi.com (Rob Warnock) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: Help me equip myself for wire-wrap! Message-ID: <88547@sgi.sgi.com> Date: 2 Mar 91 04:44:56 GMT References: <1991Feb26.235009.1389@cbnewsj.att.com> <5825@optilink.UUCP> <1991Feb28.233858.2360@cbnewsj.att.com> Sender: guest@sgi.sgi.com Reply-To: rpw3@sgi.com (Rob Warnock) Distribution: na Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA Lines: 53 In article <1991Feb28.233858.2360@cbnewsj.att.com> asd@cbnewsj.att.com (Adam S. Denton) writes: +--------------- | ...So it's time I equipped myself for wire-wrapping... | I don't mind the cost of quality; I intend to be wire-wrapping for many | years to come, so I'd rather get *good* tools rather than *cheap* tools, | if there is a distinction. +--------------- Yes, there is a distinction. There is a great difference in quality between *any* of the "cheap" tools and just about any of the expensive ones, but not so much difference among the expensive ones. I happen to be happy with both Gardner-Denver (the orignal Wire-Wrap trademark holder) and OK Machine Tools. Absolutely the best thing to have for volume (or many years) work is a line-powered (i.e., no batteries) wrap gun, with a cut+strip+wrap bit/sleeve. Note: I am *not* talking about "Slit-N-Wrap", but the professional power wrap bit which has a slot in the side of the sleeve. When you push the end of an unstripped wire into the bit, the end comes out of the slot in the sleeve. When you pull the trigger [having placed the bit over the pin first!], the rotation of the bit pinches the wire against the edge of the slot in the sleeve and cuts the end off, thereby measuring precisely the length of wire that will be wrapped. Then, the (designed) friction between the wire and the hole (that you've poked the wire into) "snaps" the insulation, and pulls it off the end of the wire as it's wrapped. [Note: You want to get the bit and sleeve combination for a "modified wrap", that wraps the first 2 turns *with* insulatioin, for strength.] Now prepare yourself for a bit of sticker shock: These things are *not* cheap! Prices do vary, so shop around, but here are some typical values: - Wrap gun (base unit, no bits) $ 80.00 - Bit/sleeve combo, #30 wire, modified wrap, *not* self-stripping $ 35.00 - Bit/sleeve combo, #30 wire, modified wrap, self-cutting/stripping (as described above) $200.00 That's right, you can pay $180 to $250 for the bit/sleeve combo alone! And you'll have to replace them after a couple of years of medium use, or a year of 8-hours-a-day-bench-tech use. But I happen to think it's well worth it. With a self-stripping bit, the work goes 2-5 *times* as fast (depending what you would have been using for cutting/stripping without it). Everyone I know who's serious about wire-wrap uses them. -Rob ----- Rob Warnock, MS-1L/515 rpw3@sgi.com rpw3@pei.com Silicon Graphics, Inc. (415)335-1673 Protocol Engines, Inc. 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd. Mountain View, CA 94039-7311