KnurledNut
Well-known member
Maybe in the Jan 2024 wire stripper thread someone will mention them.
December 2023 wire stripper thread.
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
richfinn
Well-known member
I don't know if the Jokari version locks in the closed storage position like the Weicon no. 5?
That would be a deal breaker for me (and my tool bag)
That would be a deal breaker for me (and my tool bag)
Just ordered three different styles from Williams a few seconds ago!
Williams is starting to become my new favorite industrial brand versus Proto. The Proto pliers seem like they're getting worse and worse.
I'm a Williams fan as well- the USA stuff is all I have by them: chrome sockets, and the combo wrenches with the massive beams are awesome. I also have a few ratchets, but they're outdated by today's standards.
Funny you mention Proto pliers; the last Proto plier that I bought was very roughly finished, the dipped grips were cheaper looking than anything I've ever seen.... I actually returned them. They looked like they were made by pro America. They would've been perfectly functional, and a typical person wouldn't care, but there was no way I was going to look at it and be disappointed every time I used it.
4xdog
Well-known member
I use these Stanley auto wire strippers (also sold by a bunch of other brands) for pretty much all wiring, from little auto wires like can bus up to household wiring. They’re great because they just work on every wire, without having to figure out which is the correct little grove in a traditional style stripper, and cheap enough I can just have a set in every tool box, I think I have around 4 sets.
I got a pair of those after some hot deal on here a few years ago, branded Channellock IIRC. I’ve never gotten them to actually strip a piece of wire! The knives have never pierced any insulation. Quite amazing what total **** they are, in fact.
Try tightening the little knob on the front to increase the friction. Or maybe your wire is really really tough?
4xdog
Well-known member
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll return to playing with it when I’m home in late January. I thought I’d done that adjustment bit, and I’ve tried them on numerous wires (which strip beautifully with my 20+yo Weicon-style stripper. It’s almost like the cutting edges were never sharpened.
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I suppose Aerospace background makes me partial to the Ideal Stripmasters. They make them in any manner of sizes and different applications. If you've never tried them you don't know what you are missing.
product
www.idealind.com
I thought aerospace didn't like these cause they put strain on the wire when stripping?
4xdog
Well-known member
I think that was the first kind I used, over fifty years ago as a kid hanging out in my car-guy neighbor‘s garage. I thought the mechanism was fascinating and they worked beautifully.I suppose Aerospace background makes me partial to the Ideal Stripmasters. They make them in any manner of sizes and different applications. If you've never tried them you don't know what you are missing.
product
richfinn
Well-known member
Weicon vs Knipex
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Knipex does one in the Stripmaster style too.
https://www.knipex.com/products/wir...s/insulation-strippers-adapted-blades/1221180
https://www.knipex.com/products/wir...s/insulation-strippers-adapted-blades/1221180
89MustangGX
Well-known member
I've not heard anything about straining the wire. It seems like the design is specifically not to strain the wire compared to a traditional style of stripper. They have a clamp that closes on the wire behind the blade, and a clamp that closes on the wire in front of the blades, so it seems like it should only be pulling on the insulation. Unless I'm not thinking about this right.
89MustangGX
Well-known member
Those are neat- I like the adjustable wire length stop feature. Did a quick search and it looks like Zoro has them cheapest for $78 right now. Little pricey compared to the the other brands (typical Knipex).Knipex does one in the Stripmaster style too.
https://www.knipex.com/products/wir...s/insulation-strippers-adapted-blades/1221180
4xdog
Well-known member
I’ve used this pair for decades around the house and on my vehicles. They strip reliably, the pliers “nose” style gives good access in tight spaces, and they’re my go-to strippers out of all the styles I have.
Probably older Weicon No 5 strippers sold under a private label, yes?
Probably older Weicon No 5 strippers sold under a private label, yes?
Chrome Vanadium Cody
Well-known member
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- Jul 25, 2021
- Messages
- 663
I have been mainly using the ideal stripmasters mentioned above. Have them in 3 different sizes. I'm happy with them most of the time but my main complaint is the blades can come a bit out of alignment if you're working in tight spaces at an angle. The top blade- the one that moves- inherently has some side to side play in it. This is going to sound weird but basically if you're looking at the tool straight on with the gauge sizes facing you, and you keep it mostly level or tip the handles to your right, it's smooth sailing, everything stays aligned perfectly. If you tip the handles too far to the left, it wants to come out of alignment a little bit and can end up nicking some strands if you're not careful.
(Edit- added example photos)
(Edit- added example photos)
Beauregard
Well-known member
Just picked up one of these Icons. Seems to work well when used on wires it's designed for. I like the in-line design for tight places. The claim they're made in the USA
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Looks like those say The Ultimate Stripper Buchanan?
Yeah, a quick search of “the ultimate stripper” didnt yield the results I was after...
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Weird as it sounds I'm in total agreement with you. I have automatic wire strippers, I have at least ten different types of wire strippers and I keep coming back to the T-strippers. I guess it you get it right the first time you don't have to **** around with reinventing the wheel.Outside of the Knipex electricians pliers linked below, I haven't seen anything they make with a stripper so I can't make a well informed comment about everything. I can say that the above mentioned pliers aren't worth a pinch of **** as a stripper. They do strip, but not as well as a tool that is made for the sole purpose of stripping and cutting.
Knipex Forged Wire Strippers, 8" - Plastic Grip | Knipex at KC Tool
Knipex 8" forged wire strippers with plastic dipped handles. Cuts 6-32 and 8-32 screws without threading, and from either side. Strips both stranded and soli...www.kctool.com
I've been stripping wires for 29 years, April will make 30 and I've tried a few different types of strippers. Without fail, I always end of going back to the old school Ideal T-strippers. There are at least three types so that anything from #32 up to #8 can be stripped. Day to day I use the T5 which covers 18-10, but there is the T6 that strips 16-26, the T7 that strips 24-32, and the T8 that covers 16-8. They also have the curved handle style that other swear by. I've tried those and they work as well as the old style, but I just don't like them.
T®-Stripper Wire Stripper | Market Leader
IDEAL® T®-Stripper Wire Strippers have been an industry standard since 1956. Compact, lightweight and easy to use with features like precision-ground, knife-type blades, built-in looping holes and more!
IDEAL Wire Strippers - Market Leader | Made in USA
IDEAL invented the T®-Stripper Wire Stripper in 1956. Compact, lightweight and easy to use. Features built-in looping holes and knife-type blades. An industry standard for over 50 years.www.idealind.com
dnschmidt
Well-known member
The only problem I have with these is the weird wire sizes they are meant to strip. Something with finer wire sizes would be better.Just picked up one of these Icons. Seems to work well when used on wires it's designed for. I like the in-line design for tight places. The claim they're made in the USA
KnurledNut
Well-known member
bpwoodworking
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- Jul 6, 2023
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- 254
I have those forged knipex, they're fine but I prefer the Klein heavy duty forged type. Prior to these I used Ideal stamped type strippers forever, they're fine too. Didn't like the more recent box store copies of the ideal strippers, they're pretty lousy.
Just picked up one of these Icons. Seems to work well when used on wires it's designed for. I like the in-line design for tight places. The claim they're made in the USA
Wow. Anyone know who is making this?
Thing looks like they copied Snap-on to a T.
Southernbuild
Well-known member
Klein Curved handle 11055. Made in America, and has been my go to for years. Alas, my local retailers no longer stock them, I probably should buy a few online for extras in case they are discontinued. I'm dissappointed with Klein for their steady offshoring of products.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Yeah, its a copy of this one:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Str...7"-In-line-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-(Red)/PWCHHD7
The one I posted above for dnschmidt strips 6 sizes (10-20) instead of four (8-12).
Something I couldnt find was if that sizing is for stranded or solid wire.
Because, within the same gauge, stranded is smaller. i.e. 12 solid is 14 stranded.
I figure with most strippers that don't specify anywhere somebody decided on a value in the middle. Those strippers frustrate me the most.
richfinn
Well-known member
Bear in mind if your fixing anything European (especially cars) you really want to invest in Metric strippers (or automatics).
I just poked the cutting edge on one of my pairs of Stanley automatic strippers, the cutting edges are not sharp. Definitely not sharp enough to draw blood. They work great thou.
They've been stocking more and more products.
Just the other day they introduced a snap ring plier set.
Lorydr
Well-known member
I've been using IDEAL strippes for many, many years. 14 ga to smaller. They work nice. They are lightweight and non-directional when you pick them up. Lately my shop had some adjustable depth & tension Panduit strippers that seem to work nice. Better on the wrist.
I do a lot of low voltage / control wiring. Lots of non-standard gauges, I've always preferred adjustable V's and strip by feel. I was taught with the cheapest stamped ones - Knipex 11 82 130 are the Rolls Royce of this style. 
I've never had good luck with the "automatic" style. The Kleins / Ideal are garbage IMHO. The Jokari Super 4 Plus are ok, but still not what I'd reach for. But.. Pressmaster Embla are a whole class of their own. A millions times nicer than the Jokari / Knipex ones. I'm still getting used to them, but they are really really nice. Get the PTFE knives for them too.
They're hard to find in the US, but they are available from McMaster, and are re-branded by many European tool brands and Xcelite.
For home wiring, agree 100% the Ideal Reflex T is what I reach for, though I'm trying out the one with dedicated Romex notches (Lowes clearance).
I'd be curious to hear what people are doing for large (6AWG and up) wire. I have a Jokari 10160, but I don't get great results with it, and frankly the tool is pretty sloppy. The injection molding is pretty amateur, visible gates, weld lines, lots of flash, seems to be a short shot. Just not the quality you'd expect from "made in Germany".
I've never had good luck with the "automatic" style. The Kleins / Ideal are garbage IMHO. The Jokari Super 4 Plus are ok, but still not what I'd reach for. But.. Pressmaster Embla are a whole class of their own. A millions times nicer than the Jokari / Knipex ones. I'm still getting used to them, but they are really really nice. Get the PTFE knives for them too.
They're hard to find in the US, but they are available from McMaster, and are re-branded by many European tool brands and Xcelite.
For home wiring, agree 100% the Ideal Reflex T is what I reach for, though I'm trying out the one with dedicated Romex notches (Lowes clearance).
I'd be curious to hear what people are doing for large (6AWG and up) wire. I have a Jokari 10160, but I don't get great results with it, and frankly the tool is pretty sloppy. The injection molding is pretty amateur, visible gates, weld lines, lots of flash, seems to be a short shot. Just not the quality you'd expect from "made in Germany".
Did you ever use the Klein diagonal cutters with the Bell V and W grooves?
Ohmthis
Well-known member
I have not. My go to diagonals are the maroon and blue curved Klein’s. I’m probably going on 20yrs with the same pair at work and 27 in my electrical tool pouch (I used to wear every work day since 98’ or so until I got into maintenance). Sometimes your get a feel for a tool and you don’t go back. I’ve used Knipex, Channel Lock, Jonard, ideal, and several others. The Klein’s just feel great in my hand.