Hook-up wire

[TenderTendon]

I have never seen anyone post about this and my search has come up empty, so I thought I'd share. I just came across some hookup wire that I think you guys will LOVE. It looks, feels and strips like PVC, but doesn't melt, shrink, crack or discolor, even if soldering right next to a bend. The pic below shows a solder joint that has been removed and re-soldered 4 times! That insulation still looks amazing. I've never got this good of a result with any other wire other than Teflon, but as you know, it's a pain in the ass to work with. The wire is cross linked polyethylene, or XLPE. UL3266 for 300V, UL3271 for 600V. The only problem with it is that it isn't easy to find, unless you're buying full rolls. I was able to find small quantities of 18 & 20 AWG in 7 colors on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/255169812460. Shipping took 16 days to Illinois. I bought 3 meters of each color. Now that I've worked with it, I wish I would have ordered more... Hope this helps someone...

[Soulfetish]

Irradiated PVC insulation (It's almost always crosslinked as well).

[TenderTendon]

I have tried that. While it is definitely more heat resistant than plain PVC insulation, it can still melt and pull back. Doesn't look nearly as good as the XLPE. Especially after 4 re-do's.

[PRR]

Crosslink wire, 1974:

[shooter]

that it isn't easy to find

maybe try the way-back machine, '74 was a long time ago 

[PRR]

The heat-hardened plastics are more common now. But they cost more and most jobs don't need them.