by Tsooko » Mon Oct 29, 2012 5:53 pm
Hi Rex
I am surprised that nobody has addressed your issue. I was pulling wire out of my braids at first when trying to fray the braid. It is a lot easier if you understand how most braid is made. Braids are flattened tubes of copper wire or tin coated copper. There are many videos on YouTube showing how it is made. Because it is a flattened tube there is a " front side and a back side "
I take a sewing needle and start on the very end of the braid and comb the wires of the braid towards the open end. You have to do this one crossover at a time and all across the end of the braid, then go up to the next layer and so on till you have debraided as much as you want. The edges of the braid are a problem area and you must make sure you get them. I have found if you go two or three crossovers up you will tighten up the braid causing a Knot. The harder you pull the needle the tighter the knot gets until the wires break. Too many breaks and your braid is ruined.
Go slowly and carefully and you will have no problem. One other hint is that you can fold the braid towards the front of the car to get to the back side and repeat the combing on there. Back and forth will get you a nicely frayed braid without loosing any wires.
Hope this helps. Sorry no pics.
Cheers Ted