it's from nicking it with your strippers. need to switch to a stripper that rips the insulation off, without trying to cut it first.

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Maybe stripping with side cutters isn't the best idea after all. :c

I'll have a look around for some decent strippers.

 

Not unless you're skillful with them!

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Of posters constantly calming this or that without any specific proof!
How much trouble would it be to bend a wire a few times?
I think your design is fine, no mater what type of wire you use. Copper tends to work-harden if bent in the same place, maybe iron wire for high usage. but the likelihood of that happening in your design is nil.
Testing; I took a piece of solid hook-up wire (22 gauge) and bent it back an forth, over 30 times, in a 180° arc while holding it in a pair of round nose pliers!
Made the same test with a 24 gauge wire and it broke (didn't hear any snap) after only about 20 bends. So much for all the theory.
Your design it wont be put to this kind of bending so it should last forever.
For a little fancier design, I might look at a small table top tripod (less than $5) that has some kind of spiral legs, only 3/16" dia. (don't know what it is called), they would make great arms.
Keep up the good works!
Rolf

 

You could easilly reverse the effects of wear by heating the wire untill it's cherry red but that will probably distroy the chrome plating on the crocadile clips.

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Copper annealing is actually done at temperature's from 761°F to 950°F. Cherry red is 1652°F and a little to hot because its melting temp. is 1981°F.
These numbers are for pure copper and might be slightly different for copper wire.

 

Work hardening should not be a big deal. If one section of the wire gets hard it will just bend in a softer area. The wire should last long enough to be pratical. The wires can always be replaced..

Take a 4 or 5 inch bit of wire and hold it by the ends when you bend it. It is difficult to break because it does not always bend in the same place.

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I didn't know that it was different for copper.

Would 950°F (510°C in English) be hot enough to destroy chrome plating?

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