removing insulation from formvar wire

[adamsapple]

i did a search quickly but came of with nothing specific, how do you guys remove the insulation from pickup wire before soldering? sandpaper? what grit? or can you use something like acetone? I'm trying to remove insulation with 320 and 220 grit and i either dont sand enough away (getting higher resistance than I should) or I break the wire.

[belwar]

on PE wire i use a 2" x 1" rectangle of 600 grit fre-cut gold sand paper folded in half with the sand paper on the inside. Then I pinch the wire in between the sand paper and lightly pull it through. you'll figure out the pressure quick. I think it takes me 5-6 pulls to get it clear. I dont do anything with formvar but I think its thicker insulation

[Stan H]

I actually haven't had a problem soldering without stripping. I set my iron at around 750-800 and hit it for about 2 seconds...good to go, just like Solderon.

[adamsapple]

I finally got the insulation sanded of with some 320 grit. maybe that too coarse a grit. I'll try some 600 next time. thx for responding.

[Possum]

...

400 works better, a little more bite to it....

[automan]

I finally got the insulation sanded of with some 320 grit. maybe that too coarse a grit. I'll try some 600 next time. thx for responding.

320 is what I use.

[FunkyKikuchiyo]

I've been soldering through it which works just fine, though I would like to find out what else can be done to prep it... I'm not comfortable with the idea of having to leave my iron on the wire that long, it seems like the wire is too dainty for that. Is sandpaper the only way, or is there a solvent that will work?

[voodoochild]

I solder to Formvar without sanding with no issues. I use a Weller WES51 and it works great for everything including soldering humbucker covers. I used to sand the insulation until I discovered a good hot soldering iron will do it faster and easier. PE is the only one I still have to sand the insulation off but that stuff is so overpriced anyway I am phasing it out.

[automan]

Yeah, I only use the 320 on humbuckers. With pickups that use eyelets, i put the iron on one side, push solder into the other, leave it like that until the forbon starts to make tiny little bubbles, the push the tinned lead through and let it harden.

[FunkyKikuchiyo]

I just did a little experiment with SPN and heavy formvar... I tried stripping it with various chemicals (including acetone) and so far nothing... I may try some more later if I'm ambitious enough. Kinda good to know that it doesn't come off so easily...

Automan, that has been my method, but I feel like sometimes it just takes way too long for the insulation to come off. Am I just worrying too much? Maybe a dab of flux?

[unparalleled]

Have you tried the old method, burn the enamel off with a cigarette lighter?
Followed by a quick once over with 600 paper and tin the wire.

[FunkyKikuchiyo]

A lighter with or without the solvents?

[David Schwab]

A lighter with or without the solvents?

Without. I used to do it this way. You just pass the flame under the wire quickly a coupe of times.

[Possum]

....

Yes there are chemical strippers, try www.eraser.com

[RedHouse]

I just did a little experiment with SPN and heavy formvar... I tried stripping it with various chemicals (including acetone) and so far nothing... I may try some more later if I'm ambitious enough. Kinda good to know that it doesn't come off so easily...

Automan, that has been my method, but I feel like sometimes it just takes way too long for the insulation to come off. Am I just worrying too much? Maybe a dab of flux?

Try M.E.K