Techniques for splicing tiny wires?

I recommend stripping the insulation off with a single-sided razor blade, held at an angle, followed by soldering. Slide a short (half inch) length of heat-shrink tubing over the wire before soldering. Use a very low wattage soldering iron or gun. Do not use acid core solder, only resin core.

There are small wire strippers available that go down to like #30 or #32 AWG or so. Home Depot has them as does Micro-Mark. HD has Klein (very nice ones) which I think I would personally prefer. I have an older Klein stripper (HD's is much nicer, newer style), that is what I use and have so far been successful with them.

I have also seen people use a soldering iron with an old tip to strip very small wires. I haven't tried this, but it comes to mind occasionally when I run into small wires. Maybe others will comment on this method?

On 22 ga. and smaller I will use the properly sized stripper to breach the insulation and then pull the insulation off with my fingernail which minimizes pulling any strands of wire.

As Arthur said above a razor to scribe the insulation set the razor down and use you fingernail...insulation pulls right off on the small stuff.

  I often use my thumbnails to strip the light ones, but "good" strippers are hard to beat.

 Cutting with a razor can be tricky.

I like to use the blade edge to softly roll the wire a bit on a flat surface, or atop a fingernail/thumbnail. It slices as it rolls.

 I don't slice 100% down to the wire either. Once scored well its back to the thumbnails

   I have had to use heat too, but that can foul the wire sometimes, making soldering a nightmare.

Tin both ends, hold both ends in a hemostat and touch it with the soldering iron. 

I've had decent luck with self adjusting wire strippers getting those small wires without breaking the strands.

You can also strip more than you need, fold the wire over and twist, then tin and solder if you need a bit more meat on the connection.

Exactly..i never cut to the wire either,just scribe

For tiny splices look at Dolphins. A connector often used in telecommunications and security.

For solder, pre tin the wire, build a puddle on the pad, then quickly touch the wire to the puddle and remove the irons heat asap.

Make sure they are stainless steel, and the solder wont stick.

 I do use my zircon encrusted tweezers more often in the train room, than I do for dental floss harvests .

FWIW, when I'm soldering to LED leads or small wires as stated, I do it a fairly simple way.  I tin both sides, then just lay them together and touch the iron to them.  A piece of heat-shrink and the job is done.

Is there an alternate number listed? usually common in a production year and model.

Scott:

Google OK Industries ST-450 (26 to 36 AWG). There is also ST-500 (20 to 30 AWG)

You change wire gauge with the white thumbwheel in the front. use the black slide to set the length of wire you want stripped. I use this all the time in my work.

That's neat Joe. Nothing like a good tool.

The really fine stuff can be cut/broken by fingernails too.

In fact, some wire melts into the insulation when made, or grips so well, it is near impossible to strip without a precision tool.

Thanks Adriatic - I always had issues striping small gauge wire till I came across this tool.

Joe