Automatic wire strippers for stranded (primary) wire? School me
- Thread starter 1982fxr
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
Knipex, not cheap as the Germans never give **** away but the best: https://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Wire-Stripper-10-24-AWG/dp/B003B8WB5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
kbeefy
Well-known member
My go to set....
I'm not sure who makes them for Matco, but I've seen the same set with many different brands on it.
I also have some side cutter style ones, probably sold by Pico or Cal-Van but I don't like them as well.
EDIT: you can actually see the handles for the other set to the left in the drawer,
Here they all are....
I'm not sure who makes them for Matco, but I've seen the same set with many different brands on it.
I also have some side cutter style ones, probably sold by Pico or Cal-Van but I don't like them as well.
EDIT: you can actually see the handles for the other set to the left in the drawer,
Here they all are....
egfdevos
Well-known member
Jokari super 4 plus or pro
They simply work the best on most wires of all the strippers I have.
They simply work the best on most wires of all the strippers I have.
SG Tool Aid makes those for Matco.My go to set....
I'm not sure who makes them for Matco, but I've seen the same set with many different brands on it.
I also have some side cutter style ones, probably sold by Pico or Cal-Van but I don't like them as well.
EDIT: you can actually see the handles for the other set to the left in the drawer,
Here they all are....
egfdevos
Well-known member
Rebranded Jokari SECURA 2K
I have a set of vintage, all metal strippers, they may be Speedex. I use them some, and like them. The more I use them, the more I like them.
They are especially useful when I need to be careful about pulling a wire out of a plug or terminal.
They are especially useful when I need to be careful about pulling a wire out of a plug or terminal.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I have had the knipex and the stripax 6 pro and the stripax is somewhat more consistent and works extremely well up to 10 gauge and some 8 gauge wire.
The stripax did better with really tiny wire. The last place I worked had internal encoders on the grinding spindle with 32 gauge wires. Stripax was the only thing once set correctly that didn’t cut what few fine wire strands there was.
The knipex is still a mile better than the American style automatic wire strippers.
I have never seen a Jokari super 4 being used with any of the industrial electricians that I worked with.
The stripax did better with really tiny wire. The last place I worked had internal encoders on the grinding spindle with 32 gauge wires. Stripax was the only thing once set correctly that didn’t cut what few fine wire strands there was.
The knipex is still a mile better than the American style automatic wire strippers.
I have never seen a Jokari super 4 being used with any of the industrial electricians that I worked with.
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KnurledNut
Well-known member
Weicon have worked well for me.
https://www.amazon.com/WEICON-Stripper-automatic-stripper-cutter/dp/B001NUMVHQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/WEICON-Stripper-automatic-stripper-cutter/dp/B001NUMVHQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20
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richfinn
Well-known member
Another vote for the Weicon number 5 
I've tried every brand of automatic stripper and these work better than Snap-On, Knipex and Jokari at way less cost (Made In Germany)
Consider yourself schooled
I've tried every brand of automatic stripper and these work better than Snap-On, Knipex and Jokari at way less cost (Made In Germany)
Consider yourself schooled
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YesIHaveAHammer
Well-known member
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- Jun 1, 2025
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- 791
Anyone tried this plier type? Never seen one until last week. Seems semi-automatic in terms of effort and care required.
www.kctool.com
Stahlwille 6624 Wire Stripping pliers, 160 mm, Chrome, Multi-Component Handles
Stahlwille 6624 Wire Stripping pliers, 160 mm, Chrome, Multi-Component Handles - high quality German engineering at the lowest price
www.kctool.com
Wamsutta
Well-known member
You guys don't use the kind with the blades and the individual wire sizes no more?
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
That's what I intended to buy, but I kept seeing a lot of complaints about them. It seemed like people either loved them because they worked for everything they did or they were always having problems
Bought something made by Klein tools
worked great so far
richfinn
Well-known member
You guys don't use the kind with the blades and the individual wire sizes no more?
Not so much, the beauty of the Weicon 5 is that you don't need to worry about sizing, and because it strips nose on the the wire it will work in awkward areas behind dashboards etc.
I do have a lot of other metal wire strippers and they all have their pros and cons.
For $20 try the Weicon is my advice
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Got a link to the $20 model you recommend?Not so much, the beauty of the Weicon 5 is that you don't need to worry about sizing, and because it strips nose on the the wire it will work in awkward areas behind dashboards etc.
I do have a lot of other metal wire strippers and they all have their pros and cons.
For $20 try the Weicon is my advice
This one is $28 so like $30 after taxes
WEICON TOOLS Wire Stripper No. 5, automatic wire stripper 0.2-6 mm², wire stripper with side cutter up to 2 mm: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
WEICON TOOLS Wire Stripper No. 5, automatic wire stripper 0.2-6 mm², wire stripper with side cutter up to 2 mm: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
a.co
Pro version is cost to $80
WEICON TOOLS Wire Stripper No. 5 Pro | Automatic wire stripper for all common flexible and solid conductors | working range 0,2-16,0 mm² | self-adjusting to conductor cross-sectionarge: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
WEICON TOOLS Wire Stripper No. 5 Pro | Automatic wire stripper for all common flexible and solid conductors | working range 0,2-16,0 mm² | self-adjusting to conductor cross-sectionarge: Amazon.com: Tools & Home Improvement
a.co
No idea what the difference is
david3921
Well-known member
I've had the second set for over five years now and am very happy with them except for one thing. The screw for the adjustable stopper keeps coming loose. I can tighten them with pliers and it will stay but won't when with just fingers. Admittedly, I haven't looked at it too close to figure out the issue as I don't adjust them often. Any suggestions?
richfinn
Well-known member
Knurlednut has a link further up the page but it might be UK only @ £18.99, it looks like the 5 pro have a larger capacity size wise.
I think $30 is fair for the performance of the 5 mind you
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Thanks...Knurlednut has a link further up the page but it might be UK only @ £18.99, it looks like the 5 pro have a larger capacity size wise.
I think $30 is fair for the performance of the 5 mind you
KnurledNut
Well-known member
My first pair were VBW. They were good for small wire, but struggled on a wiring reno job that had 12 ga stranded, which is about the diameter of 10 ga solid. They worked but weren’t happy. The Weicon 5’s are a little more robust, but I still won’t push them that hard. Need a bigger tool for that size.Knurlednut has a link further up the page but it might be UK only @ £18.99, it looks like the 5 pro have a larger capacity size wise.
I think $30 is fair for the performance of the 5 mind you
I've had a few over the years that I've had mixed feelings about. The tool aid ones are probably my favorite.
Too many times they pull strands of wire out or miss pulling the wire coating off. After cutting and trying again I kind of always end up back at a basic pair of wire strippers.
For me I really depends on what I'm doing. Some circuits loosing a few strands can cause fitment issues or reduce the capacity of the wire. I've definitely had to go in after someone and fix bodgy connections. So if I'm just fixing trailer wiring I'll just grab the multi purpose stripper and crimper pliers. Something that's sensitive to good connection then I'll grab these and a ratcheting crimper.
I use the auto strippers with home wiring more often because they peel off easier on solid wire.
Too many times they pull strands of wire out or miss pulling the wire coating off. After cutting and trying again I kind of always end up back at a basic pair of wire strippers.
For me I really depends on what I'm doing. Some circuits loosing a few strands can cause fitment issues or reduce the capacity of the wire. I've definitely had to go in after someone and fix bodgy connections. So if I'm just fixing trailer wiring I'll just grab the multi purpose stripper and crimper pliers. Something that's sensitive to good connection then I'll grab these and a ratcheting crimper.
I use the auto strippers with home wiring more often because they peel off easier on solid wire.
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Yankeefarmer
Well-known member
I have the exact same set and the exact same experience.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
I'm sure they're a rebrand, but I like the OTC units: https://www.amazon.com/OTC-4467-Automatic-Wire-Stripper/dp/B00BVL7M26?tag=atomicindus08-20
That said, I prefer Ideal Stripmasters over automatic strippers. I also HIGHLY recommend adding the wire stop to your Stripmasters.
That said, I prefer Ideal Stripmasters over automatic strippers. I also HIGHLY recommend adding the wire stop to your Stripmasters.
kngelv
Well-known member
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
So it looks like the pro version will go from 18 gauge to 6 gauge and the not pro version will go from 18 gauge to 10 gauge (ish)
Alright Richfinn, I just ordered three of the fives. Guess we'll see if these are any good.Another vote for the Weicon number 5
I've tried every brand of automatic stripper and these work better than Snap-On, Knipex and Jokari at way less cost (Made In Germany)
Consider yourself schooled
We've got just under 50 of these to retrofit with updated controls and anything I can do to mitigate the labor burden/downtime is a win.
BTW, I've had those Klein strippers forever. I like them but every once in a while they lock open on me.
richfinn
Well-known member
Alright Richfinn, I just ordered three of the fives. Guess we'll see if these are any good.
We've got just under 50 of these to retrofit with updated controls and anything I can do to mitigate the labor burden/downtime is a win.
BTW, I've had those Klein strippers forever. I like them but every once in a while they lock open on me.
Thank me later
So far I have seen the Weicon number 5 rebranded by the following manufacturers
FELO
NWS
WIHA
OTC
Kennedy
Bahco
Capri
Bernstein
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Also... checking up on the Weicon's. It looks like the "No. 6" is identical to the "No. 5" except for the VDE voltage rating? With the current Amazon discount, it is actually less expensive. On an Amazon business account login at least...
I use them. These are required (with custom blades) for stripping premium wire like M22759 variants in ETFE or PTFE insulation. The one-size fits all automatic strippers can’t do those clean enough (if at all, in some cases).You guys don't use the kind with the blades and the individual wire sizes no more?
My M22759/16 & 32 strippers were about $375 though. Outside of applications where the custom blades are necessary, I do not use this type.
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richfinn
Well-known member
Also... checking up on the Weicon's. It looks like the "No. 6" is identical to the "No. 5" except for the VDE voltage rating? With the current Amazon discount, it is actually less expensive. On an Amazon business account login at least...
They deleted the wire cutter on the number 6 and made it red to make it VDE compliant
Would love to see a review on the channel Weicon vs the Irwin
Nobody-named-Olli
Well-known member
The most important part of VDE certification is every tool being piece tested against spark over/ disruptive discharge.
Kind regards,
Olli
Kind regards,
Olli
These are what I went with.
micromind
Well-known member
You guys don't use the kind with the blades and the individual wire sizes no more?
I use those sometimes, I have the pneumatic version too. It's worth dragging the hose out if I'm doing something like a control cabinet where I might strip 500 wires at one place.
Where did you find a pneumatic one at? I highly doubt our panel shop has anything like that.
micromind
Well-known member
I can't remember, it's been a LONG time ago.
Mississippi333
Active member
I agree also. Looks like KBeefy has a pair in his drawer also. IMO, it may take a tad longer to position in right size slot than autos but they have never failed to give clean cuts with no cut wires.
kbeefy
Well-known member
I use them for wire with tougher conduit that the automatic ones won't cut. Aviation wire is often double sheathed and the others won't touch it.
For normal PCV or Silicon sheathed wire the automatic ones are just way faster.