Quote:
Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh
I know a fast way to dull any knife is to try to cut WD1 wire! And yes, I think it was the J1 box on the C42. It's been a long time since I had to remember those designations!
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D10 (or WD1) is four strands of tinned copper and three strands of tinned steel wire as I recall. It's hard to cut even with the approved tools (Pliers, Side-Cutting or Diagonal Nippers - and I can't remember if the Hellerman Jointing Tool had a dedicated cutter built in (I suspect it must have)).
Earlier field cables also had steel strands for strength (and copper for conductivity), and I suspect the change from 5-inch Pliers, Side Cutting to the 8-inch version (that necessitated the issue of a larger "Pouch, Tools, Lineman") was due to the difficulty of cutting the later cables with the lower leverage of the 5-inch ones. (There were also pliers with replaceable cutting jaw inserts at one point!)
Chris. (I remember making the (time consuming) "bound-in" joints, and having to insulate the thing with fabric tape, then waterproof the whole bodge with self-amalgamating rubber tape. I also remember the "Self-Soldering sleeves" that were quicker to use but not as robust. The Hellerman crimp sleeve joints were much faster and more reliable.)