Let's talk about wire cutters and strippers

[barrysuperhawk]

So I just got through putting some electrical outlets on a work bench. This experience taught me that I really need better electrical wire handling pliers. I need both Better Cutters that can deal with very fine stranded wire and better wire strippers that actually strip the insulation from wires without screwing up the wires or my fingers. As an aside, I also noticed that either I suddenly have the hand strength of a four-year-old or my last purchase of crimp connectors are suddenly a lot tougher than anything I've ever had before.

So, what's the gold standard right now in electrical hand tools? And please don't say some brand or style that's been discontinued or made out of unobtainium for the last 20 years. What I'm looking for is advice on items that I can actually buy it right now although I guess it counts if there are still some on eBay.

So specifically what I'm looking for is premium quality wire strippers, crimpers and cutters. I don't care if they are incorporated into one pair of pliers or three or God knows what different kind of combinations are available. Obviously this also opens my question up to the discussion of if combinations are better than single-purpose tools Etc

 

[measuredtwice]

If you are cutting very finely stranded wire, the wire strippers with a cutter that is bypass-style is probably what you want. An anvil type has to be perfect each cut or it will miss some fine strands whereas a bypass type will get them each time if you buy a quality tool. Klein has several made in USA. Some are under $20. One of the Klein even glows in the dark if you're into that. Just don't use it to cut hard wire --get a Knipex Cobolt for that.

 

[CGarage]

What gauge are you working with?
Please advise so I can respond accordingly.

 

[sberry]

A pair of crimpers, a pair of strippers with screw cutters and a pair of Ideal type t strippers, a pair of 8 inch dykes. Real man type has number 9 side cutters too.

 

[Rinspeed]

Klein all the way in my opinion, especially the cutters. I've used just about all of them and the Klein just work great for me and last a long time. There is a lot of rebranding for strippers and I'm not sure who makes what but the Klein with the curved upper handle is my go to.

 

[barrysuperhawk]

What gauge are you working with?
Please advise so I can respond accordingly.

Actually, I would rather learn about the available range with an answer that resembles" If you want to do "This" then you need "that tool" I don't expect the same cutters, for example that would be appropriate for house wiring would also be completely suitable for working with electronics or RC cars or what have you. I expect that there is overlap too. I doubt we need to discuss the really big stuff, but if your heart is there, go ahead and preach/teach....

 

[sberry]

Ok, strippers and crimp first. Get those 3 on right.

 

[Rinspeed]

Actually, I would rather learn about the available range with an answer that resembles" If you want to do "This" then you need "that tool" I don't expect the same cutters, for example that would be appropriate for house wiring would also be completely suitable for working with electronics or RC cars or what have you. I expect that there is overlap too. I doubt we need to discuss the really big stuff, but if your heart is there, go ahead and preach/teach....

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/combination-cutting-tools/wire-strippercutter-closing-lock

 

[RTM]

For household solid 110v wiring, Klein is the safe choice.

For little stuff, there are so many options, each pricier than the previous. My favorite cutter is an Xcelite 170m. Buddy gave them when he saw me struggling. I use whatever stripper or crimper I have handy, none of mine are great.

 

[isb cornbinder]

HMM, Strippers.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Ok, strippers and crimp first. Get those 3 on right.

This is very similar to what I use .

 

[niget2002]

You mean ya'll don't strip your wires with your teeth and crimp with a hammer?

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[RTM]

Ok, strippers and crimp first. Get those 3 on right.

Sta-Kon crimpers? Have had a pair for 40 yrs, just grabbed a second pair cheap.

 

[Noworries]

Ok, strippers and crimp first. Get those 3 on right.

Absolutly... probably 50-60 bucks for those 3 but worth it.. my go to set is the middle one.. plus it has the benefit of cleanly cutting screws!!

 

[theoldwizard1]

A pair of crimpers, ...

Boy does THAT open a can of worms ! So many connectors and so many different crimpers. I prefer to use uninsulated **** splices an ring terminals with dual wall heat shrink. My current "go to" crimpers are Klein Tools 1006. I also have several other "specialty" crimpers for things like RJ11/RJ45 plugs and other connectors.

... a pair of strippers with screw cutters

Ideal 30-428

Ideal type t strippers

I have 3 different sizes

... a pair of 8 inch dykes.

2 sizes (those are pretty big)

Real man type has number 9 side cutters too.

I assume you mean "linesman pliers". Mine are 8 inch. Stick with ones that have thin insulation or even no insulation.

 

[mc4life27]

Klein is up there on top for the most part. But Milwaukee also has a nice set of cutters/strippers that work great of fine stranded and small gauge wires plus the needle nose plier part works great as well. But I mainly go for Klein’s. Now sometimes if I’m only dealing with 12&14 gauge romex I also have a pair of south wire that is like Klein’s hybrid pliers but on the stripper side it strips romex outer jacket perfectly with out having to use a knife or anything. Then it also has Single strippers for the inside of romex


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[theoldwizard1]

Actually, I would rather learn about the available range with an answer that resembles" If you want to do "This" then you need "that tool" I don't expect the same cutters, for example that would be appropriate for house wiring would also be completely suitable for working with electronics or RC cars or what have you.

If you are a rookie or just don't do much "home" wiring (Romex/NM-B or THHN) or "older" automotive wiring, a pair of "automatic" wire strippers will make it go fast. I have never seen a pro use automatic strippers, but they do hundreds of strips per day. Many just use side cutters and can "feel" the proper depth of cut.

Ideal does make special strippers for NM-B, one for 14/2 (#45-248) and one for 12/2 (#45-249).



These can strip just the outer sheathing and then strip the inner sheathing. 2 different strip points on the end. The hole in the end is for forming a hook.

Side cutter/diagonal cutter/"dykes" come in many sizes. For general work 6" is adequate, but it will require a lot of force to cut 12/2 NM-B. For hobby work, probably 4". They also make "flush" cutters with thin heads that maybe useful for some fine work.

I use linesman pliers (8"-9") for cutting through NM-B from 14AWG down to 10AWG. After that I use the Knipex mini bolt cutters.

You will notice that sberry's well used tools god NOT have heavy insulation on them. It just gets in the way and adds weight.


Over the past 10-20 years, automotive wiring has gotten thinner and thinner. Most is no longer AWG, it is metric but it is sized close enough to AWG that you should not need special tools. This is where you need Ideal T strippers that go down to 20AWG or even 22AWG !

 

[gnpenning]

For a pair of strippers I would need a larger paycheck and a pole. No glitter is a must. ....

I agree with those that asked about what you plan to use them for to give you a better answer than the first part of my response. You should see a difference in preference so check the the ones that look to fill your need and check them out.

 

[JBH]

Strippers: Jokari (rebranded by lots of companies or sold under their own brand) if you want an inexpensive consumable that works very well. Pressmaster Embla (or possibly Weidmüller Stripax or whatever Knipex’s is called) if you want replaceable cartridges. If you want pliers style go with the European pattern (strips in front, forged V-shaped blades. All of the American-pattern pliers style (with the stepped cutting holes) are terrible. There’s no ability to set depth and the hole sizes go out the window with stranded wire. If you must have holey ones Ideal Stripmaster or similar Knipex are much better.

Crimper: depends on how many different terminal types you need to crimp. For multiple dies, Knipex/Rennsteig Crimp System or Pressmaster MCT are both top notch. If it doesn’t ratchet then I wouldn’t want anything to do with it.

Cutters: you probably want cable shears not side cutters. Much cleaner cut. for cheap look at dog nail clippers. Seriously: I have a pair that were $10 on Amazon and a $70 pair of Trompeter “cable scissors.” Both are made in Italy and are practically identical: blades, handle shape, etc. The best cable shears are Orbis EvoShark. NWS also makes good ones.

 

[NoahG]

Ideal T strippers, there are many permutations but I find Ideal still makes the best strippers.

For hand crimpers, the Channellock 909. I own about a dozen different pairs and those have the best leverage.

For cutters I still like the 8" diagonal from Klein, D2000-28. Be aware those have hardened jaws and if you use the tips to clip nails they'll chip off. The non-extra-hardened version is D228-8.

A combo tool is also useful for shearing machine screws. My favorite design is currently available as the SK 7702, but my model is Greenlee.

All four were easily accessible on my bench.

 

[sberry]

Each guy has a little different flavor but most of the trade level guys got the same basics covered. There may be even better or newer but with certain tools with enough repetition some other models just don't have the same feel. A number 9 side cutter, the 8 dykes, the 440 Channelock are used so much they are hard to duplicate. They change something seems like a good idea, any change and it's just not the same. It's a predictable thing. I noticed a difference in 2 vise grip, same model and they change the newer one, didn't feel the same, sure as shat, different jaw.

 

[Ton ton]

I love wire strippers. For the lesser known brands, please list a trustworthy source if you don't mind too much. Thanks.

 

[sberry]

Happened to be at the store.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Klein.

I have a set of the self adjusting strippers and I'll never go back. PN 11061. Best $20 I've ever spent.

My electrician belt always has them, their large cable cutters, and a good needle nose.

 

[ecotec]

Diagonals: Klein D-2000
Strippers: Klein Kurve
Crumpets: Klein 1005

 

[alex50]

I use this more for hobby projects than household wiring, and find it to be very convenient. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper, Self-Adjusting, 8-Inch (2078300)

 

[redwrench60]

Oh ****......did Sberry come off the hip for some shiney new Klein’s?! I’m pretty sure that’s one of the indicators of the end of times

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein.

 

[sberry]

No, those were just pics at the store. I did buy some new stuff recently but it wasn't top shelf. Should have seen the workout we gave an hf breaker bar today. Been twisting pounding and prying all day

 

[Rattle]

Klein is the standard as far as electrician's tools. There are others such as Greenlee or Idea that make similar at a lower price point.

 

[American Locomotive]

Strippers: Jokari (rebranded by lots of companies or sold under their own brand) if you want an inexpensive consumable that works very well. Pressmaster Embla (or possibly Weidmüller Stripax or whatever Knipex’s is called) if you want replaceable cartridges. If you want pliers style go with the European pattern (strips in front, forged V-shaped blades. All of the American-pattern pliers style (with the stepped cutting holes) are terrible. There’s no ability to set depth and the hole sizes go out the window with stranded wire. If you must have holey ones Ideal Stripmaster or similar Knipex are much better.

Crimper: depends on how many different terminal types you need to crimp. For multiple dies, Knipex/Rennsteig Crimp System or Pressmaster MCT are both top notch. If it doesn’t ratchet then I wouldn’t want anything to do with it.

Cutters: you probably want cable shears not side cutters. Much cleaner cut. for cheap look at dog nail clippers. Seriously: I have a pair that were $10 on Amazon and a $70 pair of Trompeter “cable scissors.” Both are made in Italy and are practically identical: blades, handle shape, etc. The best cable shears are Orbis EvoShark. NWS also makes good ones.

Love the Stripax. Not sure how it'd do with solid core Romex, but we used them all the time on stranded wire. Amazing how well they worked.

 

[redwrench60]

No, those were just pics at the store. I did buy some new stuff recently but it wasn't top shelf. Should have seen the workout we gave an hf breaker bar today. Been twisting pounding and prying all day

Well, I guess we’re safe then. Armageddon will have to wait for another day.

I broke a 2 foot HF prybar when when I was about 20 years old. It snapped right at the “I” in CHINA stamped in the square stock of the bar and I boxed myself in the face with the handle. Pissed me off bad. It made an impression though.

 

[ecotec]

It made an impression though.

Pun intended?

 

[Bretny]

I had been useing the ones everyone on here posted until I found these.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-7-in-Long-10-22-AWG-Stripmaster-Wire-Stripper-45-092/300497605
I have 2 pairs now. One at work and one at home. My other type of strippers haven't been used in over 5yrs. Being able to strip with one hand or strip a wire in a tight corner is something this type do well the others dont.

 

[1970W-30]

I had been useing the ones everyone on here posted until I found these.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-7-in-Long-10-22-AWG-Stripmaster-Wire-Stripper-45-092/300497605
I have 2 pairs now. One at work and one at home. My other type of strippers haven't been used in over 5yrs. Being able to strip with one hand or strip a wire in a tight corner is something this type do well the others dont.

Unless you're left handed...

 

[redwrench60]

Pun intended?

Yeah! It definitely left a mark. On my cheek bone and on my memory. I winged all my Chicom prybars in the scrap metal bin and I only buy quality USA made forged prybars moving forward.

 

[Fialaja]

Klein.

 

[Ton ton]

I like wire strippers. I'm still shopping for some good quality strippers.

 

[Honest Bob]

I have to second the channel lock 909 crimpers. Perfect for automotive wiring, they seemed rather large at first but that extra leverage is nice.

 

[McGR]

For the last few years I've been using the Paladin Tools GripP 20 (30-20AWG) strippers. I like them a lot.

On the other hand, I really dislike automatic strippers. Too bulky and clunky for me; nonetheless, some think they're great.