plastic cable cover removal

[philwill1971@gmail.com 15]

Hi, I have purchased some silver cable which came with banana plugs pre soldered, which i removed to fit spade connections (usa amp). The cable has 20 strands and is coated in a thick rigid plastic, and it is dipped so cannot be simply cut, to remove/expose. i have heated with a lighter to expose and clamped tightly, but a, am wondering whether this is efficient and a solid connect, and b, how to remove the plastic properly.

One idea was to solder the end with silver solder hence forcing the plastic out, , then clamp, ideas appreciated. 

[audiofeline 2,552]

It's a bit hard to visualise without more details. 

- What is the cable brand/model (someone might be familiar with it)?

- Can you post a close-up photo to show what you are describing?

 

[muon* 3,304]

Well It's no good if you are not connecting bare wire to the spade, and the wire is covered in plastic/insulation between the wire and spade.

 

If It's injection molded like I'm picturing it, maybe carefully cutting away the molded plastic with a Stanley knife.

 

As AF suggests above....need pics 🙂

Edited April 7 by muon*

[philwill1971@gmail.com 15]

Thanks for responding, cable is Wired world, photos attached. 

[philwill1971@gmail.com 15]

Zoomed in to actually see plastic melted around each strand. 

[pete_mac 4,117]

It looks like Litz wire with individually insulated strands. 
 

There are a variety of ways to remove the insulation. Dipping the wire in a solder pot/bath is easiest, but most people won’t have one of these on hand. I’d suggest googling the other options, as you may find one which works best for you. 

[philwill1971@gmail.com 15]

Solder pot a good idea. Anyone else?

[Gryffles 971]

1 hour ago, philwill1971@gmail.com said:

Solder pot a good idea. Anyone else?

I don’t think Wire world cables are litz. Just individual wires moulded as you’ve suggested.

Im not sure how successful a solder pot will be. Perhaps just scrape off what you can and heat shrink to hide it.
 

Looks like you have nothing to lose 
 

 

[audiofeline 2,552]

And I'd also suggest some heat shrink to tidy-up the open-weave techflex covering (for aesthetics only, won't influence the sound).

[GregWormald 1,833]

As long as you clean off the carbon from the burning plastic and bind the strands tightly or solder together then the lighter seems as good as anything. I suspect a solder pot of silver solder could get expensive.

[philwill1971@gmail.com 15]

Thanks all for responding, heat gun melted plastic enough for me to unravel and then plastic started sliding off taking all residue with it, yay