Q. Our company needs to process flexible and semi rigid coax cables and cannot justify a large capital expenditure for the equipment. Who makes high quality, accurate, and reliable tools at reasonable prices? Back to Top

A. FLRST produces a complete line of tools that will accomplish most any coax processing task with speed and precision for a modest capital outlay.

Q. Can we run the FLRST bench Top Driver (BTD) on different voltages? Back to Top

A. Yes. The BTD is set in our factory for the standard voltage of the country that it is delivered to. It can be set for 110 VAC or 220 VAC and will operate from 50 Hz to 60 Hz.

Q. Will all of your tools fit into the BTD? Back to Top

A. Yes. All rotating tools (strip, face, and point) will fit.

Q. How easily can the RPM on the BTD be changed to match the cutting speed for various cable constructions? Back to Top

A. Very easily. The RPM can be changed with the push of a button to accommodate any construction of cable from standard PTFE cables to delicately wrapped low loss cable. The tool rotation can also be changed for cables with the top shield wires wound in either direction.

Q. How fast can the multiple step cable stripper make all the strips? Back to Top

A. The strips are all made simultaneously. The cycle time is less than 2 seconds, however, the slugs have to be removed by hand.

Q. How long a strip can you make with the stripping tool? Back to Top

A. The strip length for the center conductor of a cable can be set to a maximum of 2 inches (51mm). By removing the center stop of the tool the length can be increased to a maximum of 5 inches (127mm).

Q. How short can a cable be and still be stripped and pointed? Back to Top

A. Theoretically the cable can be as short as the strip length plus 0.065 inch (1.65mm), plus enough cable to hold it. In practical terms our tools can strip and point a cable that is about 0.500 inch (12.7mm) long.

Q. Do I need a tool for each specific semi rigid cable diameter? Back to Top

A. Yes. The tools are cable diameter specific so as to achieve the highest degree of accuracy possible.

Q. How many strips can I get from a standard blade? Back to Top

A. The life of a blade depends on the type of cable and its construction. Customers have reported 1,000's of strips with the same standard blade which are inexpensive and easy to replace. The life of carbide blades is generally much longer.

Q. Are special strip tools available for cable of different sizes and construction? Back to Top

A. Yes. We make special tools for many applications. "Specials" are almost standard here at FLRST.

Q. Can I bend semi rigid cable first and then strip and point it? Back to Top

A. Yes. Our tools are designed to accomplish this with ease.

Q. How close together can the legs of a U-bent cable be and still be stripped and pointed? Back to Top

A. The standard separation is 0.4375 inch (11mm), but we make special tools that will permit a 0.3125 inch (8mm) separation.

Q. Can I point the solid wire conductor of any size cable? Back to Top

A. Yes. The upper limit is center conductor diameter of 0.120 inch (3mm) for the FLRST Universal and Standard pointer heads. The Universal and Standard pointer heads will accept semi rigid cable with an outside diameter of up to 0.250 inch (6.4mm). The difference between the 2 heads is that the Universal head will point a center conductor to the length it is cut. The Standard head points the center conductor to the desired length even if the center conductor was cut to a length longer than is ultimately desired.

Q. Does the precision automatic cable saw leave a burr on the cable? Back to Top

A. Yes, however the residual burr does not interfere with further cable processing or connector termination.

Q. Does the FLRST bender allow the bend radius to be changed during the bending process? Back to Top

A. Yes. The FLRST Precision Semi Rigid Cable Bender is the only bender on the market that can produce a bent cable configuration with a different radius for every bend if so desired. Bend radii of almost any size can be requested by you.

Q. I want to develop new cable configurations and then go into large scale production with these configurations. Can your bender accommodate that? Back to Top

A. Yes. Our bender can make very precise prototype cables while at the same time laying out a bending template for large scale production. This allows large scale production with identical configurations from the first cable to the last. The bender even allows you to adjust for "spring back" for each lot of cable bent.

Q. How do I cut semi rigid cable to length with an inexpensive hand tool without destroying the end? Back to Top

A. FLRST makes hand shears that cuts cable and leaves it round so that it can be processed further without difficulty. The center conductor of the cable is displaced when cut and this must be considered.

Q. Is there a semi rigid cable hand trimmer that will cut the dielectric and do a 2 step strip? Back to Top

A. Yes. Our Semi Rigid Cable Hand Stripper will do all of that. First, you score the jacket and pull it off. You then re-insert the cable and trim the dielectric flush or to any step required.

Q. I need special fixtures to help in making cable assemblies. Can you provide these? Back to Top

A. Yes. We continuously manufacture fixtures for holding, bending and forming, acceptance and testing, and assembly stands. We also make custom tools for processing cable. Just tell us what you need to do and we will make any custom fixtures and or tools that may be required.

Q. We have a lot of hex crimp dies for hand tools. Can we use them in your Pneumatic Crimper? Back to Top

A. Yes. Our Pneumatic Crimper is designed to accept standard MIL 2250 and DMC dies.

Q. Sometimes we have a need to open a crimp tool before it is fully closed. Can your Pneumatic Crimper do this? Back to Top

A. Yes. This is an important feature with our crimper. It allows for adjustment of crimp pressure and closing speed. Since the crimp cycle is foot pedal controlled the cycle can be interrupted and any time and the dies opened. There is also a version of our crimper that closes the dies first under light spring pressure to allow for any adjustment or alignment by the operator.