Original poster: David Speck <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Robert,I can't say for certain that you have to strip it, but if you do, then you can make a stripping block to make the job easy.
Take a block of scrap 2" x 4" wood and drill a hole through it that allows your RG-8 through in a close sliding fit. Cut a slot through the block into the drilled hole with a thin sawblade, like a coping saw, to make a profile like a nearly closed letter "C". Take the blade from a utility knife and place it in the saw kerf with the knife tip protruding into the wire hole just far enough to score the jacket of the RG-8. Clamp the block and knife assembly in a bench vise so that the vise jaws hold the blade securely. Feed your RG-8 through the block/knife assembly, and you will get a longitudinal slit in the outer insulation, which can then be pulled off quite easily. If you haven't gone too deep, you can even recover the internal braid intact and use it for ground braid somewhere. Just push the braid off toward one end, like a Chinese finger trap.
HTH, Dave Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: "Robert Hanford" <pomnept@xxxxxxxxxxx> Hi list members, I know many of you use RG-8 for HV wire... Is it absolutely essential to strip the whole length or can I get away with leaving it as it is. If I must, what is the most efficient way to do this? Any response is always appreciated! Robert Hanford