Self-adjusting wire strippers - can these be tweaked?

[stickshift]

I have a pair Irwin self-adjusting wire strippers. At first, this thing was awesome. After some use (DIY level), sometimes it strips fine, but sometimes it will just scrunch up the thin clear plastic layer that sits on the insulation of each individual wire in romex, leaving the wire's insulation intact. Side note, I didn't even realize this thin clear plastic layer existed until these self-adjusting strippers started to fail and revealed that layer.

Can the strippers be adjusted or does this tool have one foot in the grave?

If it matters, I'm mostly stripping #12 wire.

 

[39CAMC]

You probably already checked this, but on mine if any part of the last wires casing or even that clear plastic stuff is in the mechanism, it won't strip the next wire. Its a ***** for my old eyes to see so I got in the habit of tapping the tool against something after every strip.

DaveW

 

[stickshift]

No debris in the tool, but thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye out for that when I'm using it.

I think I figured out the issue. Seems to work fine on straight wire. But on old wire where there are little bends, the jaws aren't all getting good purchase on the wire. That weak grip allows the wire to slide, but because it still has some grip, it manages to catch the plastic layer and scrunch it up.

I'm finding that if I'm holding the grips in my right hand and use my left hand to press the wire against the upper left jaw (has 4 teeth), I can prevent the sliding and then the tool will consistently strip the insulation.

I'm glad I have this working. Of course this slightly increases the required working room to use these strippers, but they were never really usable in cramped spaces because of the size of the head and how much wire had to be fed into the tool, so it was never a one-stripper-to-rule-them-all type tool, and you have to keep a regular set of strippers in your bag. But in situations where it can be used, these strippers are so quick and easy.

Edit: Pressing against either upper or lower jaw on left side, whichever is easiest given how the wire is bent, stops the sliding and allows for consistent stripping.

 

[metaleltr]

Tighten the brass screw on the face of the jaw.