🚀 go-pugleaf

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