Abstract: A preferred method proceeds with coil injection equipment having phase windings confined by axially extending gaps defined by the equipment tooling; positioning insulation retaining and shedding means within the tooling; and draping phase insulation with legs in some of the gaps. When the legs are ribbon type, the legs are twisted, i.e., angularly oriented so that they will enter core slots in edgewise fashion. The sheet-like end turn insulating portions are confined so that at least portions thereof establish a cylinder within the tooling. At least part of one leg is moved into a core slot by moving the core axially onto the tooling. After seating and clamping the core, the coil injection equipment is actuated, the phase insulation is shed into slots of the core, and windings are axially placed on the core. Preferred apparatus has a main drive rod that undergoes an initial increment of travel without corresponding movement of a wire stripper because of a lost motion connection.