stripping BX

[Jerome [OP]]

What is the best way to strip BX cable? I usually nip at it with side cutters but sometimes nip to deep and one end is always easier than the other. I was just wondering how others do it.

[ErikM]

I cut off the plastic casing and then crack the aluminum and nip with side cutters.

[Rod Sheridan]

Cut the armour at an angle with a hacksaw..............Regards, Rod.

[drzaius]

I bend to break the armour, then use cutters to nip the aluminum. It can be challenging, but with practice, works well. There are dedicated strippers for AC90 armour, but I've never used any of them, so can't comment there. If I was starting over, I'd give them a shot, but I've been doing it this way for so many years and haven't felt the need to change, mainly because that's just one more bulky tool to have to carry.

Larger AC90, above #10, or teck cable, or liquid tight flex, I use Rod's method & cut at an angle with a fine tooth hack saw.

Whatever method you use, be sure to use an anti-short bushing. Inspectors seem to have special radar for missing anti-shorts, and for very good reason.

[Todd]

Same here for the smaller size cables bend break and a little twist and cut with side cutters and hack saw for larger size cables. I have only worked with one other guy that actually bought the tool to cut BX but it seemed a little bulky and awkward to use but did give a clean cut.

[Rod Sheridan]

I first learned to cut BX from my father, you never, ever, cut BX more than once with sidecutters

Of course for TECK or Coreflex you also use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade.....Rod

[drzaius]

I first learned to cut BX from my father, you never, ever, cut BX more than once with sidecutters

Of course for TECK or Coreflex you also use a hacksaw with a fine tooth blade.....Rod

I do it all the time. Quick & mostly easy, but take practice.

[Rod Sheridan]

I do it all the time. Quick & mostly easy, but take practice.

Oh, I agree, and I see it done all the time, just not when my dad was watching. He considered it a sign of poor work habits.....Rod.

[drzaius]

Oh, I agree, and I see it done all the time, just not when my dad was watching. He considered it a sign of poor work habits.....Rod.

I'm curious as to why it is a sign of poor work habits. If done correctly, I see nothing wrong with it. What did he use?

[Mark in Burlington]

An old electrician showed me, give the end a sharp bend, give it a twist to open up the bend point just enough and cut, once you open it up the coil you never nick the wire👍

[Rod Sheridan]

I'm curious as to why it is a sign of poor work habits. If done correctly, I see nothing wrong with it. What did he use?

My father always used a hacksaw, he learned the trade in the 30’s and just had certain views on workmanship. Of course at that time small wiring was soldered, I still have his naphtha blow torch and soldering iron...Rod.

[drzaius]

An old electrician showed me, give the end a sharp bend, give it a twist to open up the bend point just enough and cut, once you open it up the coil you never nick the wire👍

That's pretty much my process.

[drzaius]

My father always used a hacksaw, he learned the trade in the 30’s and just had certain views on workmanship. Of course at that time small wiring was soldered, I still have his naphtha blow torch and soldering iron...Rod.

I can understand that. I have "things" myself that I just have to do a certain way.

[Jerome [OP]]

Thanks, everyone