i suggest buying an inexpensive wire stripper, with how many cords you will probably end up with just from your father, it will more than pay for itself. there are a few decent ones on ebay for under $100



Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/intro...#ixzz2HmW1OohK
Or maybe put together one of the do-it-yourself strippers off of youtube.