Inline wire strippers

[AJHD]

Does anyone own and use these inline wire strippers?

I noticed the Icon version awhile back and went to look at them in store. I've also handled the Snap On version on the truck. Both are USA and I'm assuming made by the same manufacturer.

Electrical tools are generally low torque and not built for heavy duty use. But I noticed both versions felt cheap. They felt like something you find at the dollar store.

I'm curious if this is just my initial opinion and they're actually a solid and useful pair of pliers. Or if the hand feel accurately identifies them as junk.

 

[Wamsutta]

Both are USA and I'm assuming made by the same manufacturer.

Are you saying ICON and Snap-on are sharing the same vendor? This isn't good.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I prefer the pistol grip style automatic wire strippers in most cases. https://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715762681-Automatic-Wire-Stripper/dp/B00QWYNPGY/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I have the snap on ones which are good for tight spaces. However like most wire strippers they expect you to know the gauge of the wire in question, which on smaller wire often leads to me taking two tries. They work well for me when I use them. My biggest annoyance is having to look on the tool which hole is for which gauge, they're not in descending order from left to right as God intended.

Are you saying ICON and Snap-on are sharing the same vendor? This isn't good.

Snap on probably had an exclusivity agreement like most of the trucks do with new products like this. This tool has been out via SO for more than a year for sure. More options for the consumer is a plus in my book.

 

[dnschmidt]

The best solution is this:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NUMVHQ?tag=atomicindus08-20 This is the original made in Germany tool but there are a ton of copies. TOPTUL makes one which is just as good. These don't care what wire gauge it is (within reason) whether it's stranded or solid wire and doesn't nick the wire. The wire is inserted into the front of the tool which was listed as the requirement. They are small and light and work great.

 

[KnurledNut]

Ive looked at these in HF and just didnt see any advantage over the options I already have.
I believe the first iteration of these was the Southwire BOXJaw which uses the same hammerhead design but has strippers for the outer sheath of Romex instead.
I’m still curious if the awg sizing on any of these is for solid or stranded as it doesnt say anywhere. Im kinda thinking stranded.
Anyways, the OTC 5950D seems like a much better tool for inline access, albeit a $50 price tag:

 

[BrandonV]

IMO. All three of these share the same manufacturer. Who is the supplier for Southwire? Pro America?

SNM1214HH-WW, ROMEX WIRE STRIPPER 12/14 | Southwire

www.southwire.com

 

[Steve_P]

Ive looked at these in HF and just didnt see any advantage over the options I already have.
I believe the first iteration of these was the Southwire BOXJaw which uses the same hammerhead design but has strippers for the outer sheath of Romex instead.
I’m still curious if the awg sizing on any of these is for solid or stranded as it doesnt say anywhere. Im kinda thinking stranded.
Anyways, the OTC 5950D seems like a much better tool for inline access, albeit a $50 price tag:

I saw the OTC a year or so ago and debated buying it, but passed since I figured I'd get an automatic pistol grip style instead- like suggested above. Maybe in another year someone like VIM will be selling one like the OTC for half the price.

Not sure who was first, but I have a Klein version of the right angle Romex sheath stripper that I bought 10+ years ago. It was discontinued a few years later for some reason, but they still have the straight version. I'm not an electrician, but this is one of those great invention tools that do something so well that it's amazing that it didn't exist prior.

As far as whether the SO and HF are for stranded or solid sizes, I'd assume the SO would be for stranded, since SO isn't exactly a brand that caters to electricians. But, both of them have a hole for "loop" on the handle portion. So....

 

[BrandonV]

As far as whether the SO and HF are for stranded or solid sizes, I'd assume the SO would be for stranded, since SO isn't exactly a brand that caters to electricians. But, both of them have a hole for "loop" on the handle portion. So....

Yup. One reason why I looked at these and skipped them at HF. These are pliers made by people who didn't actually consult anyone during manufacturing.

 

[AJHD]

IMO. All three of these share the same manufacturer. Who is the supplier for Southwire? Pro America?

SNM1214HH-WW, ROMEX WIRE STRIPPER 12/14 | Southwire

www.southwire.com

Haven't seen the Southwire version.
I expected the Snap On to feel different, maybe built better, but they both feel exactly the same. Even the plastic coating on the grips both feel cheap.

Not sure if the Southwire version is any different.

That said... Thnaks for the suggestions on wire strippers, but I was asking about these two strippers/this design only, nothing else.

 

[BrandonV]

Haven't seen the Southwire version.
I expected the Snap On to feel different, maybe built better, but they both feel exactly the same. Even the plastic coating on the grips both feel cheap.

Not sure if the Southwire version is any different.

That said... Thnaks for the suggestions on wire strippers, but I was asking about these two strippers/this design only, nothing else.

It's odd for sure. Feels mostly like someone has the patent & manufacturing for these hammerhead style strippers and is just licensing them out/manufacturing them when other companies want them. Southwire ONLY offers a version it seems that is for NM-B inline stripping (linked above) while the others are targeting automotive - but as someone pointed out with a loop hole & bolt cutting?

Odd for sure. I tried to locate a patent but came up empty handed so far.

 

[KnurledNut]

Not sure who was first, but I have a Klein version of the right angle Romex sheath stripper that I bought 10+ years ago. It was discontinued a few years later for some reason, but they still have the straight version. I'm not an electrician, but this is one of those great invention tools that do something so well that it's amazing that it didn't exist prior.

You mean these?



This aint my first rodeo...

 

[tyyost]

Damn this thread, I was at hf today, saw these on the rack and bought them. I’ll report back once I open them up, but I was interested in the design, and for $20 and made in USA I was in.

 

[richfinn]

The best solution is this:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NUMVHQ?tag=atomicindus08-20 This is the original made in Germany tool but there are a ton of copies. TOPTUL makes one which is just as good. These don't care what wire gauge it is (within reason) whether it's stranded or solid wire and doesn't nick the wire. The wire is inserted into the front of the tool which was listed as the requirement. They are small and light and work great.

100% agree, Just buy the Weicon 5 (or 6 if you like red) and give all the others away, you won't be needing them anymore, you don't even need to buy replacement blades at £25, just buy a new pair every five years or so

They also lock in the closed position to save space

 

[KnurledNut]

100% agree, Just buy the Weicon 5 (or 6 if you like red) and give all the others away, you won't be needing them anymore, you don't even need to buy replacement blades at £25, just buy a new pair every five years or so

They also lock in the closed position to save space

I have the 6's in my insulated tool kit as they are 1,000v rated and tested.

 

[richfinn]

I have the 6's in my insulated tool kit as they are 1,000v rated and tested.

Me too, best strippers I've ever purchased

 

[AJHD]

Damn this thread, I was at hf today, saw these on the rack and bought them. I’ll report back once I open them up, but I was interested in the design, and for $20 and made in USA I was in.

That's what got my attention as well. But after I handled them a bit, I decided to pass. Reinforced my decision after playing with them on the truck.

 

[darkzero]

My cowowrker bought the Icons last week. He hated them, said they wouldn't strip 16ga wire which is what we mostly use, said he was gonna return em. I didn't try his to test for myself, only briefly handled them. The style didn't apeal to me at all.

 

[KnurledNut]

Snap-on makes two versions:

The PWCHHD7 is the version pictured in @AJHD original post. It has 4 stripping holes and covers 6, 8, 10, 12 awg. or 4.1, 3.3, 2.6, 2.0 mm. I assume the HD in the part number stands for heavy-duty.

The PWCH7 has 6 stripping holes and covers 10-20 awg. I just now noticed in the specifications that they state these are solid wire sizes. If thats true, they should also be able to strip 12-22 awg. stranded.

If Icon had copied the PWCH7 instead, it would likely be a better seller with more demand. Offering both models like Snap-on does, would be the icing on the cake.

 

[AJHD]

I didn't notice there were 2 versions from Snap On. Not sure which one I handled on the truck.
But I'm guessing they are both built and would feel the same.

 

[NoahG]

Those are specific purpose strippers made for resi electricians running romex. The bent nose is for reaching into j boxes so you can strip off the outer jacket closer to the back of then box. I have the Southwire pair and they’re handy.

 

[2Rocky]

I fell victim to an instagram video by Dirt Monkeyfor these wire strippers. https://quickstrip.info/

Stanley "DirtMonkey" Genadek on Instagram: "A different kind of wire stripper. #electrical #homerenovation #handyman #remodel"

379K likes, 2,483 comments - stanley_dirtmonkey_genadek on August 10, 2024: "A different kind of wire stripper. #electrical #homerenovation #handyman #remodel".

www.instagram.com

then after I hit purchase I remembered to check pricing. and saw this...

https://www.amazon.com/TULEDE-Automatic-Stripper-Adjusting-Electrical/dp/B0D3WZY39L/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Snapped-off]

I prefer the pistol grip style automatic wire strippers in most cases. https://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715762681-Automatic-Wire-Stripper/dp/B00QWYNPGY/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I have the snap on ones which are good for tight spaces. However like most wire strippers they expect you to know the gauge of the wire in question, which on smaller wire often leads to me taking two tries. They work well for me when I use them. My biggest annoyance is having to look on the tool which hole is for which gauge, they're not in descending order from left to right as God intended.




Snap on probably had an exclusivity agreement like most of the trucks do with new products like this. This tool has been out via SO for more than a year for sure. More options for the consumer is a plus in my book.

This style is my favorite. I think mine is Tool-Aid from the MAC truck. Snapon had an identical one under Bluepoint.

 

[gahrajmahal]

I just bought these for a Romex wiring job I did over the weekend. They worked fine on the solid but nicked the stranded.

 

[BrandonV]

This style is my favorite. I think mine is Tool-Aid from the MAC truck. Snapon had an identical one under Bluepoint.

Yup. Lots of good clones out there.

Weicon No. 5 are great.

 

[GeoBruin]

I just handled the icons in HF. You're right about the feel but I attribute that almost entirely to the grip. It's not the textured grip like most icon pliers. It's more like a slip on type grip but there's actually foam underneath it, so it has a weird give to it that you'd wouldnt expect from a typical plastidipped handle. It's also super slippery. Otherwise they seem fine.

 

[charbar]

The OTC 5950D mentioned above, along with the matching crimpers, are my go to for tight places. Compact and they give me a good visual on what I'm doing.

The snappy and hf ones being discussed seemed too big and bulky to me. Not to mention just felt like junk, as the op mentioned.

 

[KnurledNut]

This style is my favorite. I think mine is Tool-Aid from the MAC truck. Snapon had an identical one under Bluepoint.

I have the MAC WSBWST that are made in Germany. I believe they are rebranded Weicons.

 

[Beerhippie]

100% agree, Just buy the Weicon 5 (or 6 if you like red) and give all the others away, you won't be needing them anymore, you don't even need to buy replacement blades at £25, just buy a new pair every five years or so

They also lock in the closed position to save space

Gee, thanks. $26 less to weigh my wallet down. #6 on the way.

I had a pair of automatic strippers years ago that were real knuckle-savers in tight places, like auto work. Don't recall what happened to them, but I've bought a few pairs since that were junk. Here's hoping the Weicons live up to your all praises!

 

[Schurkey]

Had those for years. Wore-out the first set, bought another. Didn't get 'em from Home Despot, though.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Just bought the snap on 7" wire stripper/cutter/crimper and the 9" wire stripper/cutter/crimper/bolt cutter. Nice upgrades to the ones I have purchased at the big box. Will help with upcoming projects.

 

[KnurledNut]

Just bought the snap on 7" wire stripper/cutter/crimper and the 9" wire stripper/cutter/crimper/bolt cutter. Nice upgrades to the ones I have purchased at the big box. Will help with upcoming projects.

Do you have a Dakota? On the second gen, the blower motor resistor connector would turn into a pile of goo. This was a common issue and some of the aftermarket replacements started including a high temp connector pigtail that had to be spliced in, in a nice little low access spot behind the glove compartment to beat. Learned a lot from chasing electrical issues on that vehicle. I've always said the 45RE trans was the best made thing on that truck.
Anyways, looks like you got some good tools!