Best auto wire strippers

[jrsavoie]

Looking for the best automatic wire strippers good up to at least 10 gauge.

This pair was referenced in another thread and are currently in my cart.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0788K4R8Z/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3PVZSUQVPC4TK&psc=1

 

[cgrutt]

I've just been using the normal style with spring loaded handles and various ga diameters since the 1980s. Have many sets from Klein, Blue Point, etc. Was rewiring my BILs trailer this past Spring and he put me onto a set of Ideal Stripmasters they work really well. I bought a set from Lowes the next day. Believe they are made in USA and are available with various style jaws for different cables. I also think the jaws are stainless steel. Not sure if they're the best but work really good.

 

[kbuhagiar]

Jokari - the same ones I've been using for the last thirty-odd years:

Jokari Wire Stripper, Super 4, Auto, 10-24AWG 20050 | Zoro

Order Jokari Wire Stripper, Super 4, Auto, 10-24AWG, 20050 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

I use them for all wiring, but they work especially well for stranded wire.
I find the the grip and feel is more comfortable than the 'conventional' style.

EDIT: The best price seems to be on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BDNL4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bwringer]

Looking for the best automatic wire strippers good up to at least 10 gauge.

This pair was referenced in another thread and are currently in my cart.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0788K4R8Z/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3PVZSUQVPC4TK&psc=1

That style is great, but the Klein or Irwin branded versions are on the shelf at your nearest big box for less money.

Jokari - the same ones I've been using for the last thirty-odd years:

Jokari Wire Stripper, Super 4, Auto, 10-24AWG 20050 | Zoro

Order Jokari Wire Stripper, Super 4, Auto, 10-24AWG, 20050 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

I use them for all wiring, but they work especially well for stranded wire.
I find the the grip and feel is more comfortable than the 'conventional' style.

EDIT: The best price seems to be on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BDNL4Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Agreed; I think this style works even better, especially for stranded, and it's more convenient for getting into small spaces for vehicle wiring. Again, there are tons of brands selling the same thing.

Or, do the usual GJ thing and buy both, and see which you prefer.

I've just been using the normal style with spring loaded handles and various ga diameters since the 1980s. Have many sets from Klein, Blue Point, etc. Was rewiring my BILs trailer this past Spring and he put me onto a set of Ideal Stripmasters they work really well. I bought a set from Lowes the next day. Believe they are made in USA and are available with various style jaws for different cables. I also think the jaws are stainless steel. Not sure if they're the best but work really good.

I'm not a fan of this style, because you have to carefully choose the correct hole for the wire gauge you're working with, which is mistake-prone and slows you down. They do work great, and sever the insulation cleanly. But when visibility and access are poor, they're a lot more difficult to use, and you'll probably get the wire in the wrong hole more than once and damage the conductor, and have to cut it off and start over.

 

[wssix99]

I really like my Knipex. The design and strip guide is perfect for terminal work and precise strips. The tool is also really lightweight, which is great for working in confined spaces.

https://www.knipex.com/products/wire-strippers-and-stripping-tools/automatic-insulation-stripper/automatic-insulation-stripper/1262180

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B8WB5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[cgrutt]

I'm not a fan of this style, because you have to carefully choose the correct hole for the wire gauge you're working with, which is mistake-prone and slows you down. They do work great, and sever the insulation cleanly. But when visibility and access are poor, they're a lot more difficult to use, and you'll probably get the wire in the wrong hole more than once and damage the conductor, and have to cut it off and start over.

True but same can be said for conventional strippers (you have to choose right hole). The holes are spaced pretty close together and being up on top I can see having some difficulty in tight access areas up under a dash, etc. I have a pair of ratchet strippers that doesn't use any holes it jut puts "enough" pressure on wire to tear off the insulation. I never liked them and rarely used them (they're still in my box though lol). The stripmasters cut very cleanly, even if splice was mid-length along wire. I still grab the conventional style strippers more often than not.

 

[infinkc]

I have used many strippers in the past and I still prefer the cheap ones. They have always worked well.

6-1/2 in. Wire Strippers with Pressure Adjustment

Amazing deals on this 6-1/2In Wire Strippers With Pressure Adjustment at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I do prefer now using some Klein manual strippers, just gets a nice clean cut.

Klein Tools Electrical Wire Stripper/Cutter (10-18 AWG Solid) 11045 - The Home Depot

This compact, lightweight wire-stripping and cutting tool is designed to cut 10 - 18 AWG solid wire. The precision-ground stripping holes cleanly cut wire and aid in easy removal of insulation. A narrow

www.homedepot.com

 

[jrsavoie]

That style is great, but the Klein or Irwin branded versions are on the shelf at your nearest big box for less money.





Agreed; I think this style works even better, especially for stranded, and it's more convenient for getting into small spaces for vehicle wiring. Again, there are tons of brands selling the same thing.

Or, do the usual GJ thing and buy both, and see which you prefer.






I'm not a fan of this style, because you have to carefully choose the correct hole for the wire gauge you're working with, which is mistake-prone and slows you down. They do work great, and sever the insulation cleanly. But when visibility and access are poor, they're a lot more difficult to use, and you'll probably get the wire in the wrong hole more than once and damage the conductor, and have to cut it off and start over.

I just had to do that. The 10 ga hole was small. I had 5 strippers out and 3 out of the 5 had a small 10 ga. Hole

 

[Wiz02]

Bringing this thread back to life in order to get recommendations for a wire stripper that handles #8 and #6 AWG stranded cable and larger. Not going to be used on a daily basis, but I don’t want to buy a crappy tool either. I have an immediate need to strip #8, so #6 is just a nice to have capability, not an absolute requirement.

 

[LukeOresk]

for 8 and 6 I use a knife, I haven’t used one of these strippers but I know they are liked

Amazon.ca

This style not necessarily this brand

 

[sparky 1971]

Ideal makes a T-stripper that handles both, I had one but when it disappeared, I didn't find it all that necessary to replace it

T8 Stripper

45-124: Form-ground, knife-type blades for accurate, easy stripping without nicking conductor Laser-etched wire gauge for easy-to-read visibility Spring-loaded automatic opening Corrosion-resistant, black oxide finish Tough steel construction Invented and

www.idealind.com

because I use my Greenlee 727's

Hand-Held Cable Cutter | Greenlee

Find product features, specs, documentation and where to buy information for 727 Hand-Held Cable Cutter

www.greenlee.com

 

[Wiz02]

for 8 and 6 I use a knife, I haven’t used one of these strippers but I know they are liked

Amazon.ca

This style not necessarily this brand

Wow! 97.24 loonies vs. 63.93 USD forthe same item from "the same company". I checked the exchange rate, which is .74:1, which works out to 86.39. Why is Amazon.ca charging almost $11 more?

 

[Wiz02]

Ideal makes a T-stripper that handles both, I had one but when it disappeared, I didn't find it all that necessary to replace it

T8 Stripper

45-124: Form-ground, knife-type blades for accurate, easy stripping without nicking conductor Laser-etched wire gauge for easy-to-read visibility Spring-loaded automatic opening Corrosion-resistant, black oxide finish Tough steel construction Invented and

www.idealind.com

because I use my Greenlee 727's

Hand-Held Cable Cutter | Greenlee

Find product features, specs, documentation and where to buy information for 727 Hand-Held Cable Cutter

www.greenlee.com

Tx. I have a similar cable cutter, I will see if I can remove the sheath without nicking the conductors.

 

[sparky 1971]

Tx. I have a similar cable cutter, I will see if I can remove the sheath without nicking the conductors.

I find it much easier for #8 up to 4/0. Just practice with some scrap first.