Small gauge wire strippers

[theoldwizard1]

Recommend a wire stripper for 20AWG - 26AWG.

 

[RTM]

Single job, or a commercial sized quantity?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Single job, or a commercial sized quantity?

DIY, but I will "buy once, cry once".

 

[dnschmidt]

HF makes an exact copy of a very good Snap-On stripper: https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-wire-stripper-cutter-and-crimper-70592.html Works like a charm. Only goes up to 24 AWG. Finer than 24 gauge is harder to find. Ideal makes a stripmaster that goes to 26 gauge but considering that you're the Old Wizard it might be out of your price range. https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-Indust...-Stripper/dp/B000RFSWF8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mgeoffriau]

I got these Milwaukee low voltage wire strippers a while ago when I had the need. They are just fine, quality seems comparable to my Irwin strippers. 20-32 AWG.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-20-32-AWG-Low-Voltage-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-with-Dipped-Grip-48-22-3080/326839587

 

[bwringer]

Would a thermal wire stripper work? That's what is often used in actual production work with very thin stranded wire. By melting a small segment of the insulation, there's no chance of cutting the strands.

Like so:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/patco-services-inc/PTS-30/102961?gclsrc=aw.ds&

I have no idea how this Jokari device works, but it strips down to 36AWG:

https://www.newark.com/jokari/40024/wire-stripper-36awg-26awg-0-12mm/dp/96Y6082

 

[Wamsutta]

KLEIN 11057

 

[Wamsutta]

WILLIAMS 23535
(picture shown is the 23533 version)

 

[dscheidt]

I like automatic self adjusting ones for wire that small. They’re consumable, but the cheap ones work fine.

 

[Den69rs96]

I have these capri wire strippers. They also sell different size dies for different gauges

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-20010-Precision-Stripper/dp/B01018CVM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Brownsfan]

KLEIN 11057

This is the one I use. Daily. No complaints. Works well and decent price

 

[nicks78camaro]

Klein ^^^

 

[Steve_P]

I have the Klein shown above and also an automatic one recommended here that looks like it came from Fisher Price but works pretty well.

 

[cbracer]

Get the best, stainless steel will last so much longer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFXD1TI?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or a nice set of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-PA1123-Stripper-22-10-Bundle/dp/B000X4X23U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use both regularly

 

[Wamsutta]

The Williams is the same as an Imperial IE-159.

Imperial Tools is the manufacturer and they do a lot of private label stuff for other brands.

I have a pair of Craftsman branded Imperials that I got from Sears before they went out of business.

Imperial makes very nice pliers. You guys might remember Milbar safety wire pliers. Another Imperial made brand.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have these capri wire strippers. They also sell different size dies for different gauges

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-20010-Precision-Stripper/dp/B01018CVM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can not find the different size dies.

 

[signcrafter]

I can not find the different size dies.

I just clicked on the link in the post you quoted and scrolled down and it shows 6 dies available to purchase.

 

[rooster59]

These are both excellent. Ideal Industries 16-26g stranded and Harbor Freight 14-24g

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have these capri wire strippers. They also sell different size dies for different gauges

https://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-20010-Precision-Stripper/dp/B01018CVM0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought these and the 16 to 26 AWG blades. I will let you know how well they work.

 

[ER70S-2]

Get the best, stainless steel will last so much longer

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GFXD1TI?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or a nice set of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-PA1123-Stripper-22-10-Bundle/dp/B000X4X23U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use both regularly

Why will stainless steel last longer?

 

[cbracer]

good question. I can say from experience they have lasted much longer and I use both types stripping wires for work often. One reason is resistance to corrosion which I experience in my travel tool bag that goes on planes all the time. Every tool gets some rust even inside the pelican travel case with all of my trips. But I still use them in my office in the tool drawer that doesn't travel and they keep sharp longer.

From google likely from the manufacturer:
High-grade stainless steel maintains its structural integrity and sharp edges through thousands of repetitive stripping and cutting cycles without warping or wearing down as fast as softer standard steel

But I posted both stainless and non stainless, but I've had to replace the non stainless once and not yet replaced the stainless one over my 8 years of use. It's easy to see the wear on the non-stainless because the black oxide coating comes off quickly. Then the edge gets dull and that's easy to see when cutting tiny stranded wire.