...   
      
    BB> We had at least 3 different tools for wire-wrap: One was a manual   
    BB> thing and you twisted it like you would a socket wrench. Not real   
    BB> tight wraps, but they worked and since it was about the size of a   
    BB> pencil it was easy to just stick in your tool pouch.  A second type   
    BB> was the 'pistol' thing, still manual but much faster than the hand   
    BB> wrap, but too large to stick in your pouch.  The last type was motor   
    BB> driven for project work, by and large not used by telco but was by   
    BB> WECO installers.   
      
    RW> I"ve seen all three types.  I had the real portable type,   
    RW> iirc one end was for wrapping, the other end was for   
    RW> unwrapping.  Been a long time since I worked with ww though.   
      
   Two different tools, both the size of a pencil though.  The ones we used had a   
   slightly larger end where you did the twisting bit - held the shaft with one   
   hand then used the other hand to twist the larger knob at the end of the shaft.   
    Both tools were that way, one wrapped, the other unwrapped. :)   
      
   ...   
      
    BB> Yup, but again special tools are needed.  Not complex ones though,   
    BB> but it is improtant to get the punch tight.  I've seen guys using   
    BB> long nose pliers to push the wire down, then squeeze the connector,   
    BB> but that's really a no-no in telco.   
      
    RW> YEah I know, but I don't have the right tool anymore.  I   
    RW> keep hoping when I look through the tool drawers in the   
    RW> truck I'll stumble acros one from its previous owner, but I   
    RW> inherited that bay with the punchdown block later.  Guess   
    RW> i'll have to find one somewhere .  until then I'll   
    RW> just make do.   
      
   The punch tool has just the right taper to make sure you squeeze the wire, but   
   not so tight you cut it.   
      
   ...   
      
    RW> Indeed the good old days.  Now I'll bet you it's all punch   
    RW> downs in telco, or rj series jacks.   
      
    Yeah, good guess but it's been years since I've been inside an office.  I'll   
   ask my son as he's in and out of them all the time. :)   
      
      
      
       
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