how does one go about stripping the laquor insolation off magnet wire ? I've tried scraping it off, but all I succeed in doing is breaking the wire. I guess the next 2 steps would be trying to burn it or use acetone, but I just thought I'd ask first...
I personally like sandpaper. Tear off a strip about 1/4"/2-3mm wide and fold it around the wire. Pull gently with light pressure and a couple of strokes will clean the wire. Sandpaper roughness determined by the thickness/thinness of the wire.
some, not all, types of magnet wire insulation can simply be soldered through
It depends on the wire. Some isulation can be soldered through, some need solvant, and some need to be physically removed. If you don't have solvants and can't solder through it I would recommend the physical method.
You can use a pair of pliers that have mildly rough teeth and kind of grind it off with those or do what R.G. suggests. I use either wet/dry sandpaper that is wet with water or cloth backed sandpaper and wrap it around the wire.
Andrew
I have burnt it off in the past.. but if the wire is thin enough that you break it when you try scraping it, burning it might not be such a great idea.
I've found those box cutter retractable blades with the snap off tips work well. Sit it on a table and scrape away. You don't need much pressure.
Lacquer thinner. :)
With larger wire I've often burned it off, but it tends to oxidize things and leave residue. Small wire just melts into a little ball of copper.
Take care,
-Peter