Overheard a veteran installer talking about coax prep on a job site

Was working a big apartment complex off Commerce Street in Dallas last Tuesday when I overheard an old-timer telling his apprentice he strips coax with a utility knife instead of a coax stripper. Said it gives a cleaner cut and fewer intermittent signal issues. I always thought the proper tool was the only way, but after trying it on three fittings that afternoon, I can see his point. Has anyone else gone back to basics on something like that and found it works better?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade51727d ago

That old timer makes a good point about clean cuts, but a utility knife can nick the center conductor if you're not careful. A good coax stripper with sharp blades still does the job just fine for most folks.

the_mary27d ago

Six months ago I swore by my utility knife for coax. @jade517 had me thinking I was wrong, but this thread convinced me to try a proper stripper. I grabbed the Klein one from the truck. Picked up a pack of ends too. Clean cuts every time now, no nicks. Hate admitting I was wrong, but here we are.

phoenix24627d ago

Oh man, that old timer is onto something! I tried the utility knife method about a year ago after watching a guy who'd been in the game since the 80s do it like it was nothing. @jade517 is right though, you gotta be real careful with the center conductor (I butchered my first couple fittings before I got the feel). What worked for me was finding a middle ground. I use the Klein stripper for the jacket but then I use a sharp knife just to peel the foil back by hand instead of relying on the tool to cut it. It takes a little longer but I swear I get less signal drop on long runs. The old guy at my supply house says the trick is making sure the blade hits the foil at a shallow angle so you don't drag the braid. Still wouldn't go back to full knife only for big jobs though.