The best wire stripper for auto work?

[signcrafter]

I have a dozen or so ideal and klein strippers for house electric but looking for the best stripper for 12V work. Either normal or an auto stripper. I used to have an older Mac or matco auto stripper and half the time it worked good and the other half it didn't. Is there a good auto stripper out now? Or stick with a good standard stripper?

 

[FigureItOut]

I've tried a bunch of them. If I could only have one, it'd be the Irwin auto stripper. I find I need others though, the second most used are my Klein Kurves in different ranges. Working on the bench I love Klein Katapults.

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[mbshop]

Yer teeth ? I just used the standard strippers. I wasn't in a race or needing to do 100s of wires in seconds.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have always liked this one. Rebadged by many.

http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-19100.aspx

 

[Codejack]

I use a Klein, and I do auto electrical work all the time. I would have to go look at which version I have, but it's just a basic stripper; I use the 14-18ga strippers and crimper, mostly.

 

[bwringer]

Much as I detest Irwin for what they did to the once-proud Vice-Grip name...

Their automatic wire strippers are pretty darn great:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

No need to pick the correct hole or guess as to what gauge wire you're dealing with -- just get the wire in there somehow and squeeze.

I do lots of motorcycle wiring, and these things will even strip that ultra-fine gossamer wire used in LED lighting without breaking a single strand.

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL'S wire stripper is exactly the same as the one Fedwrench mentions. I like the fact that you strip wires with the front end of the tool rather than the side. Easier access from the front in tight locations.

 

[MrGiggles]

These are pretty dang good. The cutter and crimper work great.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Point-...d=302432448344&_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726

 

[SweetD]

I just bought that Irwin auto-stripper and have used it a couple of times in the past week for 12V stuff - I love it! I've never had an auto-stripper before - works great. Seems pretty good quality as well, and the crimper works well too.

 

[6PTsocket]

For many years, I have gotten by with a simple 5" stripper that has a sliding stop in one handle that I don't bother to set. I rarely break a strand. I have several of them laying around. I have a fancy clamp and squeeze job for when the strip is critical but seldom use it. I also have a couple similar to the blue handle one shown above but I use them more for crimps and cutting screws. I find those big strippers clumsey and unable to get into tight spaces where the wire lengths are short.

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[Cope]

I have always liked this one. Rebadged by many.

http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-19100.aspx

That style is hard to beat.

 

[Rubiman14]

I do a ton of custom harnesses and aftermarket ECM installs. My electrical drawer is packed full of strippers and crimpers. I always grab my small Klein or Blue-Point strippers before anything else (ones with the slide lock). Have a small fortune in auto strippers and just can't get warmed up to them.

For wire larger than 10ga, Klein is the only way to roll!

 

[AngryBeaver]

Ive got 25 pairs of strippers... these are hands down the cats jazz.

https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-Cutters-Crimpers-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-Cutter-7--P890363.aspx

 

[Monte]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Knipex-1262...724989?hash=item2cab1339fd:g:Of4AAOSwJMhXD92J

 

[manwithtools]

I have always liked this one. Rebadged by many.

http://www.tooltopia.com/tool-aid-19100.aspx

Agreed, we've been using the Felo version for months in our shop. We have 15 pairs of them doing as many as 400 - 600 strips per day and they are holding up well. For the price, when they dull or get cranky, I'll pitch them and buy and buy more.

https://www.kctoolco.com/felo-62681-felo-automatic-wire-stripper/

 

[Rubiman14]

Ive got 25 pairs of strippers... these are hands down the cats jazz.

https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-Cutters-Crimpers-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-Cutter-7--P890363.aspx

Really? I've only been using them as crimpers lol. That's about the best thing they do. My pair will not properly strip a wire unless I **** them at an angle. If I have a straight angle of attack (perpendicular to the wire) they will not cut unless I go down in size...then they'll cut a few strands.

 

[tomtomgt356]

I've always just used a pocket knife, but I usually only need to do a few at a time.

 

[OCD]

Ive got 25 pairs of strippers... these are hands down the cats jazz.

https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-Cutters-Crimpers-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-Cutter-7--P890363.aspx

I agree!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Ive got 25 pairs of strippers... these are hands down the cats jazz.

https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-Cutters-Crimpers-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-Cutter-7--P890363.aspx

I have a pair of the ones shown above as well but unfortunately don't care for them as much as I thought I would. I was excited to have both the crimpers and strippers in one but ultimately don't reach for them nearly as often as I originally anticipated. OK crimper but the stripper isn't as "tight" as the Blue Point ones listed below.


These Blue Point ones are my "go to" strippers.
https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-...r-Cutter-AWG-10-20-6-Blue-Point--P630546.aspx

For insulated crimpers these are what I reach for. I also have the same thing in the Thomas & Betts flavor.
https://store.snapon.com/Crimpers-Pliers-Terminal-Crimping-Cutter-9-3-8--P885609.aspx

For non-insulated terminals I grab these.
https://store.snapon.com/Crimpers-Blue-Point-174--Tool-Crimping-Blue-Point--P636986.aspx

 

[bcradio]

I like my Klein auto strippers

 

[Brownsfan]

Depends on what you are doing. Tapping into a existing wire in a car without cutting it I use these. These work the best for stripping wire that you need to tap into https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gs-394-A...4491&wl11=online&wl12=148459487&wl13=&veh=sem

Now just stripping wire ends for termination. Connecting two wires together putting on spare terminals etc. I use these. These can strip multiple wires at a time. And auto adjust. Now. Neither of these work well on solid wires in the house. Only stranded
https://www.opentip.com/search.php?...fJ6_a4TmkPAEK58H0gUljB9OXTcaPfiRoCmQIQAvD_BwE

 

[pstemari]

]... just stripping wire ends for termination. Connecting two wires together putting on spare terminals etc. I use these. These can strip multiple wires at a time. And auto adjust. ...
https://www.opentip.com/search.php?...fJ6_a4TmkPAEK58H0gUljB9OXTcaPfiRoCmQIQAvD_BwE

I've got a pair of those orange and blue ones from Fry's and they're fantastic. Not good for anything 16ga or over, but they do a great job on the small wires and don't require you to have a grip on the wire. They grab the wire and pull off the insulation by themselves without tugging on the wire.


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[notlob]

I have lots of automatic and other wire strippers, but these are what I always grab, especially for smaller awg wires. Small, razor-sharp, and cheap! Wish they had a lock to keep them closed when not in use.

https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-45-120-Stripper-10%C3%9018-Stranded/dp/B000JKWVXA/ref=pd_sim_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V0ZGXTHVPP6EQH6EJG1Z

https://www.amazon.com/Stripper-14-solid-stranded-wires/dp/B002UP7J5M/ref=pd_sim_229_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BEHTCX7H0JP6ACH7MR96

 

[pi_guy]

https://www.amazon.com/Ideal-45-120-Stripper-10%C3%9018-Stranded/dp/B000JKWVXA/ref=pd_sim_328_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V0ZGXTHVPP6EQH6EJG1Z

https://www.amazon.com/Stripper-14-solid-stranded-wires/dp/B002UP7J5M/ref=pd_sim_229_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BEHTCX7H0JP6ACH7MR96

The problem with these types of stripper is they damage the wire which can lead to a point of failure.

 

[AngryBeaver]

Really? I've only been using them as crimpers lol. That's about the best thing they do. My pair will not properly strip a wire unless I **** them at an angle. If I have a straight angle of attack (perpendicular to the wire) they will not cut unless I go down in size...then they'll cut a few strands.

I'd exchange them. I use them daily as an unlicensed electrician/generator and diesel mechanic. now have three pairs... work truck, shop, and home shop.

 

[notlob]

The problem with these types of stripper is they damage the wire which can lead to a point of failure.

I have never seen that they damage wires, and I have used them at times with magnifying lens to assure cleans cuts and perfect crimps on 26 awg wires.

If they cause damage to your wires, I would characterize that as "user error."

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I have four pairs of these, and they've worked great. Two at work, one in the car, one at home. Look just like the Matco ones everyone else has at work, but without the sticker. Works great on everything up to 10awg, haven't tried them on anything larger.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JO6UB7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[cheechi]

far as stranded wire, the felo and similar are the auto strippers I prefer. For solid wires any listed will do.

 

[kblee27]

Irwin auto stripper works great and it's self adjustable to many thickness of wire.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you use it carefully, you could even split a cable insulation in the middle, without breaking the wire, and put a tap there.

 

[signcrafter]

I bought a pair of the Klein Katapult today from home depot. Looked nice and seem to work alright except when the two jaws don't always line up. Not sure if the machining is off or what but it seems like every so often the jaws don't line up perfect when you clamp down on them. I'll use them a little bit more and see what happens before I email Klein to see if there is an issue.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Katapult-Wire-Stripper-Cutter-11063W/204660476

 

[dsanchezanny]

i have the snap on one that was posted on the 1st page, work nicely but rust easily

 

[reader2580]

I have the Irwin strippers and love them. I had a similar Chinese pair and they fell apart.

 

[R_einan]

Ive got 25 pairs of strippers... these are hands down the cats jazz.

https://store.snapon.com/Strippers-Cutters-Crimpers-Wire-Stripper-Crimper-Cutter-7--P890363.aspx

I agree!!

My feelings as well, for auto work I prefer them to the Klein Kurves living in my electrical kit for home type work.

 

[fordcragar]

I seem to have more than my share of strippers too.

I'm not a big fan of Harbor Freight stuff, but will buy some of stuff if it is reasonably priced, with the idea if it doesn't work it goes right back to the store. If it works for a while and then breaks, I'll buy a better brand.

All of that said, HF does have a stripper similar to one of the ones mentioned that I picked up for $8 today. I took it out to the garage and tried it on several different gage wires and it did a nice job.

https://t.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-self-adjusting-wire-stripper-36810.html

 

[Sine Swept]

Does anyone here strip with a pair of 909's?

 

[Rick B.]

Their automatic wire strippers are pretty darn great:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

No need to pick the correct hole or guess as to what gauge wire you're dealing with -- just get the wire in there somehow and squeeze.

I do lots of motorcycle wiring, and these things will even strip that ultra-fine gossamer wire used in LED lighting without breaking a single strand.

I saw this post a couple of hours ago, watched a couple of videos of them in use then jumped in the truck and went to Lowes to buy a pair! Thanks for the info.

 

[Olafur]

Nothing I have tried beats this guy, or the Knipex version. Single tool cuts and strips - and does both very well (and fast) with small practice.

I seem to be the only one on G.J to use this tool, so for your toolaholics, here is something to try for the collection.

Very popular over here.

 

[M_George]

I saw this post a couple of hours ago, watched a couple of videos of them in use then jumped in the truck and went to Lowes to buy a pair! Thanks for the info.

You just had to tell me that... I just did the same thing.

 

[skruft]

For wires 10 and smaller, I use all the same kinds of strippers, of one quality brand or another, that I would use for non-auto work, often a "T stripper." I do not think it makes much difference if you practice and get the technique.

When I started I used some semi-automatic strippers that my father had used wiring ships in WW2. You would select the gauge and length, then squeeze and they would do the rest.

 

[mrborohachi]

+1 Felo
Bought it because the wire cutter is on the top of the tool (this is a newer design). I have an old IDEAL auto stripper which like some Knipex the cutter is on the bottom. You have to twist your hand in order to see when you want an exact cut. I was wiring electrical panels for conveyor belts (tortilla making machine) and that wire cutter on the top made such a difference.
https://www.amazon.com/Felo-0715762681-Automatic-Wire-Stripper/dp/B00QWYNPGY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506487997&sr=8-1&keywords=felo+wire+strippers