Best tool for removing extension cord casings?

[AceofSpad3s]

Everytime I need to put some new ends on extension cords or tools it's always a hassle. The first try damn near everytime I end up either cutting not quite enough of the casing off, or I accidentally nick the casing of the inner wires when I'm trying to cut the casing with a razor blade or the cutters on my wire strippers and have to cut back and start again. Or I don't cut the casing deep enough and have to play the game of trying to pull the casing off with a pair of needle nose.
Does anyone sell some wire strippers for this sort of purpose, or know of a tool that'd make it easier? It's not a big deal, but if there is something that'd save me the bother of fiddling with the cord every time I change plug I'd like one.

 

[dwasifar]

Everytime I need to put some new ends on extension cords or tools it's always a hassle. The first try damn near everytime I end up either cutting not quite enough of the casing off, or I accidentally nick the casing of the inner wires when I'm trying to cut the casing with a razor blade or the cutters on my wire strippers and have to cut back and start again. Or I don't cut the casing deep enough and have to play the game of trying to pull the casing off with a pair of needle nose.
Does anyone sell some wire strippers for this sort of purpose, or know of a tool that'd make it easier? It's not a big deal, but if there is something that'd save me the bother of fiddling with the cord every time I change plug I'd like one.

I assume you mean a jacketed cable like this:

I always just use a razor blade. After a while you get enough practice that you know how deep to cut safely.

You could try making the slit starting from the cut end of the cable, instead of slitting from the body of the cable toward the cut end. That way you can cut slowly and peel away the outer jacket as you go, and you can watch how deep you're cutting.

EDIT: Oh, I get it. You're trying to cut the jacket around its circumference and pull it off in one piece. That's hard to do because (as you can see in the pic) the jacket is not a consistent thickness. Slit it lengthwise, pull the wires out, and cut off the empty jacket with a scissors or whatever.

 

[techieman33]

Your looking for a cable stripper. It has an adjustable blade that you set to the depth of the outer jacket. Then there is a spring clamp that holds the cable in place while you move the tool around the cable and it cuts the jacket.

 

[M6erfan]

I use these...



I just use very light pressure as I rotate the cutting blades around the outer jacket.

"60% of the time, it works every time"

 

[sberry]

Common razor knife.

 

[OccupantRJ]

This.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000WU49A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Open and place on cord. Swivel around cord. Pull off cord lengthwise. Jacket is split and removed.

 

[aczr2k]

I have a couple of the Knipex ones. They work great just need to set the depth correctly.

https://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=group_detail&parentID=1363&groupID=1393

 

[Gummi Bear]

There is a practiced technique

I’ve cut and installed hundreds of cord caps onto SO cord over the years.


Bend the cable over in half, and use your razor knife to gently score the jacketing. Work your way around the circumference of the cable. As you continue to bend, it will split, and then you can slide the sheathing off the individual conductors.

It takes a minute to do, but will get quicker the more times you do it.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[dwasifar]

Some of you guys are making it more complicated than it needs to be.

 

[Wamsutta]

This.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000WU49A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Open and place on cord. Swivel around cord. Pull off cord lengthwise. Jacket is split and removed.

Is that tool made to cut the jacket lengthwise? In other words, perpendicular to wire strippers; correct?

 

[potato]

https://m.harborfreight.com/wire-and-cable-stripper-96158.html?utm_referrer=https://www.bing.com/
i use this one

 

[5ktq]

I'd imagine something like coax strippers would work well, one of the adjustable ones so you can control the depth.

like this, but bigger bore:

but for one or two here and there just do it like gummi bear says.

I guess Ideal makes a different style for large cable. 2 models look like this.. one for <3/4", one for 3/4->1-1/2. Different style than the type for small coax, data cable. Looks like you adjust on the end with the knurled knob, which is less of a pain than setting the data ones up with a screwdriver. I've never used this style but it looks like it should work...

 

[OccupantRJ]

Is that tool made to cut the jacket lengthwise? In other words, perpendicular to wire strippers; correct?

It will cut around and also lengthwise. For short strips, I spin it around the jacket, then pull the jacket off the end of the cord. For long strips, I cut around, then lengthwise. It is adjustable for depth of cut, and the blade will swivel for change of direction. I used one regularly in my industrial maintenance job. A nice tool.

 

[samss]

The knife I carry for work. https://www.sogknives.com/kilowatt.html
Thicker casing requires a little more work with the blade.

 

[Wamsutta]

It will cut around and also lengthwise. For short strips, I spin it around the jacket, then pull the jacket off the end of the cord. For long strips, I cut around, then lengthwise. It is adjustable for depth of cut, and the blade will swivel for change of direction. I used one regularly in my industrial maintenance job. A nice tool.

Thank you. I appreciate the product education.

 

[Alexander]

I use cable cutters (since I tend to have them handy for this type of job), such as Channellock 911.

Put them on the wire like you're about to cut it. Turn them around the cable back and forth once or twice, with mild pressure (takes some practice to perfect, so start with light pressure). Sharp enough cutters will nick the jacket enough to pull it off the end without hitting the individual wires.

Less work and in theory twice as fast as a knife since there are two blades, especially with practice.

 

[BukitCase]

Second the Ideal - sometimes it takes a couple tries to get the depth set just right for different jacket thicknesses, but it's the only one I know of that'll let you break out just one wire from a cable if you need to. Also, if you're doing several cords from the same cable it's WAY faster than a razor blade (Gummi Bear explained that method really well tho, did a bunch that way too til I found the Ideal :=) ... Steve

(Done it Alexander's way too, like anything you get better with practice)

 

[skruft]

I usually use a knife but cut the jacket lengthwise, then pull it down and cut it off. There are probably 100 methods.

 

[bczygan]

I usually use a knife but cut the jacket lengthwise, then pull it down and cut it off. There are probably 100 methods.

Bill

 

[FigureItOut]

I've used about all the tools and methods described here, and believe it or not have the best luck with a just a regular pair of self adjusting wire strippers like Klein 11061 . They work great on any cords that'll fit into the jaws, all but the bigger contractor cords I've tried usually fit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[SRSemenza]

Get a seam ripper. Yes, it is for sewing. About $2.00. Push it into the end for a lengthwise cut. And the way it functions has no chance of cutting anything you don't want cut. No adjustments or settings either. Best thing I've used.


Seth

 

[ca90ss]

I keep a couple of these for cutting the jacket lengthwise. Same thing as a $2 seam ripper but they break often enough for me to justify paying the extra few $ for the SO version.
https://store.snapon.com/Soft-Grip-Terminal-Tools-Terminal-Tool-Soft-Grip-Sheathing-Ripper-P643133.aspx

The cutting hook on this Leatherman works better but is quite a bit more $.
https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Charge-Multitool-Stainless-Leather/dp/B000LGBPVQ?th=1

 

[Musicinabottle]

Whew! I've done it a thousand times myself. Carpenter here. I always just cut around the circumference. Never really had an issue or needed special tools, but cool to know that they do have them. BCZYGAN, that was an excellent movie. James was my parents generation!

 

[potato]

i never liked them but others at work do. company bought us these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWIIG8A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tarbellb]

Uh this thing rules, looks pretty easy to duplicate as well?

 

[6PTsocket]

Get a seam ripper. Yes, it is for sewing. About $2.00. Push it into the end for a lengthwise cut. And the way it functions has no chance of cutting anything you don't want cut. No adjustments or settings either. Best thing I've used.


Seth

That is great Idea. Thanks. I
When I am concerned about nicking the wire I cut down with a small pair of dikes but I like your idea. You still need something else to cut it off

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bushmechanic]

It's pretty easy, actually. Don't cut all the way through except at the end. Once you get it started, a scored line is enough to peel it away most of the time.

If it doesn't, go a touch deeper. You'll figure out the depth you need quickly. Start shallow, and if it doesn't work go a tiny bit deeper. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Utility knife or similar will do the job. A circumfrential score at the end of your stripping area will stop the split from continuing. Just leave about a millimeter to half of one before you reach it.

It genuinely only takes a few seconds.

 

[knobby]

Damn you guys are slipping 27 posts and no seatek
https://seatekco.squarespace.com/sa-200
Made in the USA and sold at a fair price.

 

[SRSemenza]

That is great Idea. Thanks. I
When I am concerned about nicking the wire I cut down with a small pair of dikes but I like your idea. You still need something else to cut it off

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Once it is split it is easy to peel back and cut off.

Seth

 

[Mr. T]

It takes a smidge of practice but I just use my wire strippers. The part that strips the wires, not the cutter (kind of like a serrated scissor).

The trick is that you are only scoring the jacket, not cutting it. A little bend, pull and wiggle and it should come right off.

I’d swear that I’ve done it a million times but it’s probably only a few thousand.

 

[plinker]

+1 for the seam ripper, you do have to watch heavy casing as the ripper can break if your not careful. Snap-on also has these for 12$, just a seam ripper with a Snap-on handle.

 

[dutchgray]

I just cut along the end with side cutters, 3/4" or so, then grab one of the conductors and a section of the jacket with the cutters and split it out, dosen't work well just using the conductor like you can with solid cable. Probably the wrong way to go about it but it works and is quick.

 

[SRSemenza]

Ah, that Snap On will hold up better than the $2 rippers. The plastic handles are a bit flimsy. I also see that Steelman makes a screwdriver style handle ripper.

Seth

 

[jdieter]

I use an Exacto knife to score lengthwise and clean up the sheath at the beginning of the cut with flush cutting diagonals.

 

[bob15]

A simple razor blade has severed me well for many decades.....and the blades are super cheap

 

[royesses]

https://m.harborfreight.com/wire-and-cable-stripper-96158.html?utm_referrer=https://www.bing.com/
i use this one

That is what I use. Does a great job and is adjustable. Mine is a different brand.

Roy

 

[MJO]

 

[SRSemenza]

A simple razor blade has severed me well for many decades.....and the blades are super cheap

Ouch!


Seth

 

[SRSemenza]

Was poking around the shop last night and decided to make an upgraded seam ripper. Just one of those fun little projects. Because, why not?

Extra Wera screwdriver. Shaft cut down to about a 1/2". Piece of misc. plastic tube. Epoxied the tube onto/around the shaft stub leaving the top portion empty. Then epoxied the ripper into top portion.

I think a wire nut with the end cut off would work well for the mounting tube. Might be able to use this method for other things.



Seth

 

[ttpete]

I use a box cutter like a grocery stock boy uses. It takes Stanley blades and the depth of cut is adjustable.