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May 10, 2023

You can build a basic wire stripping machine, too

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If the video player is not working, you can watch the video from this alternative link.Never strip your wires by hand ever again with this handy machine. The machine works great and is relatively easy to make.

Here's how.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

As you can imagine, you'll need some tools and materials before you get started.

The first step is to take your wood and cut out a series of squares 1 no. 5 and 29/32 inches square (15cm by 15 cm), 2 no. 3 and 5/32 inches (8cm) by 2 and 3/4 inches (7 cm), 1 no. 4 and 23/32 inches (12 cm) by 2 and 3/4 inches (7 cm).

With the pieces of wood prepared, transfer them to your bench drill and drill some holes through the middle of the 5/32 inches (8cm) by 2 and 3/4 inches (7 cm) pieces.

Junkyard -

With that done, clean up the drill holes, and paint the pieces blue, or whatever color you'd prefer. Once the paint is dry, add a strip of masking tape down the center of each piece and spray the rest of the timber a different color, like red.

Once again, leave the paint to dry fully.

With that done, core a disc of wood and sand down as needed as shown in the video. Bevel off the sharp edges of the disk too to make a sort of wheel. Rinse and repeat to make a second wheel and then paint them as needed.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

Next, remove the masking tape from the other wooden pieces.

Next, take one of the 3 and 5/32 inches (8cm) by 2 and 3/4 inches (7 cm) and screw into place a pillow bearing. With that done, take your threaded rod and place it through the eye of the pillow bearing, add a nut to the rod and then attach the wooden wheels to the rod.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

Add the other pillow bearing to the other 3 and 5/32 inches (8cm) by 2 and 3/4 inches (7 cm) piece of wood and insert the other end of the rod as shown.

With that done, take the main 5 and 29/32 inches square (15cm by 15 cm) piece and attach a plastic foot to each corner of one side. Next, mount the main roller assembly to the other side of the wood.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

Next, take the last piece of painted wood and drill another hole through its center. Clean up the hole, and then glue and screw the piece above the main roller.

With that done, take another wooden disk and mount it in your vice. Drill a hole directly across one radius. Insert a nut a bolt into the hole and glue the piece on top of the top "lintel" of the machine.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

With that done, mount your bore diameter mounting ball bearing directly in front of the main roller on the base. Next, take your modeling knife, remove the protective cover, and mount it above the main roller using the top mounting.

Junkyard - Origin of Creativity/YouTube

This will allow the knife to be adjusted vertically for different thicknesses of wire.

With that done, your DIY wire stripping machine is now ready to use. To operate it, place your length of wire in the niche of the roller and adjust the blade to suit.

With that done, pull the wire from the other end of the machine using either your hand or a pair of pliers. The wire should now be able to be pulled through the machine, cutting the insulation sheathing as it goes!

Happy days.

If you enjoyed this project, you might enjoy making another handy tool? How about, for example, your own steam-powered generator?