It seems I can't touch cables of any kind without fraying them. I have little metal strands poking out now like tiny hairs from the old cable. Is there a trick to this? Frustrated and discouraged. I tried changing brake calipers as a test project before tackling the shifter cable and failed at that miserably too.

I'd pay good money for a bike mechanic to watch me take my bike apart and put it back together, and provide guidance along the way. Is this something bike mechanics offer in their off-time? SF bay area.