Can these wire strippers be fixed?

[Bcom]

I have my fathers old wire strippers that im guessing are 40-50 years old. See pic below. The problem im having with these strippers it that the sides will open first before it clamps the wire. I have to hold the wire strippers together with my other hand to make sure it clamps the wire first before it opens up to strip the wires. Is there a way to fix these so that it clamps the wires first before opening or is it just worn out? Thanks

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[DHCrocks]

I have an Ideal one similar to that. Sometimes it sticks. did you try to disassemble and clean and lube? There are friction surfaces that can get gunk built up over time.

 

[Bcom]

I have an Ideal one similar to that. Sometimes it sticks. did you try to disassemble and clean and lube? There are friction surfaces that can get gunk built up over time.

no i havent touched it yet. I figured it was justworn out. So i should disassemble it and clean it up?

 

[lazer50]

I have 2 similar sets and they get contrary like yours if not used.you could either take apart and soak or try and spray good with pb blaster or penetrating oil odds are they'll start working again.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I have an older set that were having the same problem. Sprayed the drop down jaws with penetrating oil and cycled them, sprayed again and have zero issues since.

 

[unslow1]

When I've had that problem with some of the old ones I have I soak them in transmission fluid overnight. I usually does the trick.

 

[ddawg16]

Take it apart....clean and lube the clamps....then put it back together and put in storage as a keepsake...then go buy a real pair of strippers.

 

[rlitman]

Take it apart....clean and lube the clamps....then put it back together and put in storage as a keepsake...then go buy a real pair of strippers.

You mean like an Ideal Stripmaster? Because this relic doesn't have the blue handles of the ones they make today?

I suppose you are not aware that this is the Cadillac of wire strippers. You should try one some time.

 

[exmaxima1]

You mean like an Ideal Stripmaster? Because this relic doesn't have the blue handles of the ones they make today?

I suppose you are not aware that this is the Cadillac of wire strippers. You should try one some time.

I have several pair of those "Cadillac" strippers and with the exception of Teflon wire, they are ****. If you don't get the wires centered perfectly in the dies they tear the wire. And half the time they snap back on the stripped wire and smash the exposed copper. I'll take any of those newer strippers where there are no tiny holes to align, and you can even strip multiple wires at the same time.