Wire strippers for smaller gauages

[theoldwizard1]

For DIY electronic projects. The most important thing is that they MUST strip stranded wire from 18-22 AWG WITHOUT cutting/tearing any of the strands.

I was trying to strip some 18 AWG "lamp cord" with fairly heavy insulation. I think it took me 3 or 4 attempts before I could get a full 1" of the insulation off. Trying to get 2" of bare wire was a waste of time. Luckily, I had no issue with losing 6+" off the cord !

 

[dacan23]

My self adjusting wire stripper, which I think is HF and has orange handles, bought a long time ago, it was pretty good the first few years but then didnt cut the insulation enough. Stranded wire that small is always tough, I have never found anything as good as my teeth LOL I think a high quality self adjusting one would be best.

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

Edit... Knipex makes one... hmmm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B8WB5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rlitman]

I've found that lamp cord usually strips like ****. I think it's related to the elasticity of the insulation, and how tightly it is formed to the wires within.

Personally, I've never had any luck with automatic strippers, and I find that even the strippers with perfect dies still break strands.

The best results I get are when I use a stripper with a sized circular cutter, squeeze the correct hole over the wire, release, rotate it 45 degrees, squeeze again and remove it. And then use my Klein pliers (they have "file" oriented teeth that aid pulling with less squeezing) to pull the cut insulation off the wire. The important detail here is that the OD of stranded wire is larger than that of solid. So the die for #12 solid is good for #14 stranded. And if you want to avoid nicking the wire (which IMHO is worse than breaking strands), you really want to only cut part way through the insulation without touching the copper. At that point, pulling (sometimes a little bending is required on rubber insulation) breaks the insulation over the wire.

 

[Shehzada]

My cousin wanted a sound system install.....and a wire stripper was in the list of items for him to buy. I still have it...a Radio Shack brand and it works amazingly​ great

Sent from my mobile device

 

[Wamsutta]

For precision like that, I would recommend the Imperial-Stride IE-110.

Strips 10 thru 22.

 

[rlitman]

For precision like that, I would recommend the Imperial-Stride IE-110.

Strips 10 thru 22.

Aside from the fact that that has blue grips, and my Blue Point has red grips, that is the exact same thing. Yeah, I really like mine.

 

[Wamsutta]

Aside from the fact that that has blue grips, and my Blue Point has red grips, that is the exact same thing. Yeah, I really like mine.

Yes, Imperial is the OEM for a lot of truck brands. There's some knock offs out there though so you got to be careful.

 

[JoeMcGov]

I don't strip much wire anymore. But found this Irwin adjustable (is that the right way to say it) does a good job for wire including stranded.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[HRNTK]

I tried this one, it's very awesome.

facom 194.12

 

[FigureItOut]

The Irwin automatics are okay for this, you just need to remember to adjust the tension screw. They're generally good up to about 22. For smaller gauges or very fine stranded wire, I'll usually get out the Klein Kurves. I have pairs that go up to 32AWG. Another option definitely worth considering is the Klein Katapults. They have an action like the standard automatic type, but the actual cutting is performed by precise holes similar to a standard stripper. The cutting head it comes with is good up to 22AWG, but you can get replacements good to 26AWG. The part number is 11074.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[ca90ss]

Edit... Knipex makes one... hmmm
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B8WB5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Those **** for smaller gauge wires. These are better but still have trouble sometimes with wires smaller than 22ga.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073C72R28/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein 11046 or 11057. I have used both for several years.

 

[FigureItOut]

I tried this one, it's very awesome.

facom 194.12

Wow, I have some Knipex strippers that look exactly like that, and cannot stand them. Could be user error, but I don't find them useful for anything.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[KDoug]

Been looking at these for a while, haven't decided which ones to get. Anybody have any experience?

Proto J297
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00209O406/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Williams 23535
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VMPA2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[mikebaker1129]

Been looking at these for a while, haven't decided which ones to get. Anybody have any experience?

Proto J297
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00209O406/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Williams 23535
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VMPA2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Get the Williams or the Craftsman version,both are made by Imperial/Stride.

 

[Wamsutta]

Been looking at these for a while, haven't decided which ones to get. Anybody have any experience?

Proto J297
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00209O406/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Williams 23535
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005VMPA2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the Craftsman version of the Williams you posted. The job they do is perfection at its finest.

 

[HRNTK]

Wow, I have some Knipex strippers that look exactly like that, and cannot stand them. Could be user error, but I don't find them useful for anything.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

I never had a problem using the facom 194.12 with 22 awg, after adjusting the jaws, i crimp the wire and i release a little bit, then i clear, however i find turning the strip plier around the cables is not a good idea.

I also tried the facom 163 and (elcontrol pts 4) which are very usefuls for cutting and stripping at the same time.

 

[KDoug]

Get the Williams or the Craftsman version,both are made by Imperial/Stride.

I figured that but, I looked at the Imperial catalog and never saw that model that goes to 30 AWG.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I just use Klein 1003's. Great for panel work or anywhere else space is tight, plus they fit in a shirt pocket without falling out. Probably my most used tool.

Klein Kurve 1019 are good too if you want a crimper and gripping jaws.

https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/klein-kurve/klein-kurve-wire-strippercrimper-multi-tool

 

[plinker]

I had picked up these Facom wire strippers at a yard sale, the "teeth" are spring loaded and self adjusting. Works well for small wires. Not sure if they still make similar pliers

 

[Wamsutta]

I figured that but, I looked at the Imperial catalog and never saw that model that goes to 30 AWG.

The Imperial model has the handles dipped one time. The Craftsman and Williams have that additional layer of santoprene or "double dipped" as some people call it.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I figured that but, I looked at the Imperial catalog and never saw that model that goes to 30 AWG.

Here you go ,IE-160 is the model that strips 20-30ga
https://imperial-tools.com/products/super-stripper-upfront-stripperscutters/

 

[Gone Boating]

I have Triplett TT-241s that I bought cheap on Amazon. Haven't used them much but they've done what I need

 

[HenryAZ]

I especially like the Ideal T-Strippers for dedicated strippers. The 45-618 has a range of 8-16 stranded (with the solid wire sizes also marked), and the 45-416 has a range of 16-26 stranded. For those really odd sizes (like metric sized wires), WIHA makes a great adjustable stripper with a range of 8-24. The jaws form a diamond shaped opening that can be adjusted with a screw and lock nut to fit any wire within that range. The adjustable stripper is also handy if you have a whole bunch of wires the same size to strip. No hunting each time for the right hole to use.

WIHA 30947 Industrial Stripping Pliers.

 

[HRNTK]

I had picked up these Facom wire strippers at a yard sale, the "teeth" are spring loaded and self adjusting. Works well for small wires. Not sure if they still make similar pliers

I think that it's replaced by the blue ones or (facom elec) and being fully automatic, witch their reference are six number digits like the facom 986058.

He are two stripping pliers with a large range (awg 32 - 8), facom 793936 and facom 793940.

 

[bwringer]

I don't strip much wire anymore. But found this Irwin adjustable (is that the right way to say it) does a good job for wire including stranded.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yep, as much as I detest what Irwin did to the Vise-Grip brand, these wire strippers are by far the best thing I've ever used on a huge variety of wire. I've used mine for years and they still work exactly the same; most wire strippers I've used fall apart or get dull after a while.

If you're working on tiny wires with soft insulation, experiment a bit and adjust as needed and they'll still work fine.

They are a bit bulky, so in tight quarters or if you're working with a very short available length of wire, then you may need to try something else.

 

[pi_guy]

Thermal strippers
never broken a strand with them.....

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Used Irwin stripper to rewire on my motorcycle. I did a lot of the LED gauge wires, it worked as needed.

 

[ultgar]

I think that it's replaced by the blue ones or (facom elec) and being fully automatic, witch their reference are six number digits like the facom 986058.

He are two stripping pliers with a large range (awg 32 - 8), facom 793936 and facom 793940.

I also like the Facom/USAG Swingo automatic wire strippers....a little cheaper with the USAG branding. Good down to 32 gauge .... https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop...wire+stripper&search_in_description=1&x=0&y=0

 

[Mechanical Noise]

For the wire stripping I commonly do, I'm right by my soldering iron and the iron takes the vinyl insulation right off without any damage to the fine wires inside. I realize that's not an option much of the time.

If you're using a manual stripper with split holes, another way to protect the wires is to grip the wire in the hole as usual, but rather than rotating the stripper, grab the stub of insulation with a pliers and rotate the insulation.

 

[KDoug]

Here you go ,IE-160 is the model that strips 20-30ga
https://imperial-tools.com/products/super-stripper-upfront-stripperscutters/

Sorry, I think I might be getting them mixed up with Klein or another company. It's been a while since I looked. I just looked at their catalog and didn't see the IE-160, but there were other similar models.

 

[exmaxima1]

If your DIY projects budget can afford a $100-$200, Thermal Wire Strippers are ideal. I use a thermal stripper at work when I need to strip the thin wire in coaxial audio cables (like interconnects or guitar cords) when I can't risk cutting the strands.

Mine is called "HOTweezer"

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't trust "automatic" stripper on anything smaller than 18 AWG but I still might buy a pair of those Irwin automatic stripper.

The Klein-Kurve look IDENTICAL to the Ideal Reflex Premium T-Stripper. I have a couple of older Ideal T-stripper. They are OK, but I was looking for something better.

I might try the Klein 1019 just because it has such a wide range.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Klein 11046 or 11057. I have used both for several years.

Klein 11046 look like Ideal Premium T-stripper

Klein 11057 look like Ideal Reflex Premium T-Stripper

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have a pair of the Klein Kurve 1009's and only after minimal use stripping solid ballast wire the strippers are getting dull.

I am going back to my Craftsman 73573 strippers made by Imperial Stride .

 

[JBH]

I had picked up these Facom wire strippers at a yard sale, the "teeth" are spring loaded and self adjusting. Works well for small wires. Not sure if they still make similar pliers

I don’t know about Facom, but Stahlwille/VBW still offer that tool.

I have a Stahlwille one and truthfully don’t much care for it. Perhaps with spring loaded return it would be better, but I think the standard forged front strippers (like the Wiha posted above) are better for most users. The stop is unnecessary after a few uses. One gets a feel for how deep to cut after a few uses.

That said, either style is much more flexible and user-friendly than those awful flat things with a bunch of grooves in them. I can’t fathom why those are the standard in the US. They’re such a pain.

I also like the Facom/USAG Swingo automatic wire strippers....a little cheaper with the USAG branding. Good down to 32 gauge .... https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop...wire+stripper&search_in_description=1&x=0&y=0

Those look like Pressmasters, also rebadged by Wiha and others. That’s what I usually use now (sometimes use manual front-cutters) and they’re excellent. I’ve not tried the competing strippers from Weidmüller or Knipex/Rennsteig. I suspect they’re good too.

 

[powertrip]

Ideal T stripper. Use them all day long in an aerospace environment for work.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Klein 11057 is nice if you have larger hands. I have one and it's super comfortable.

 

[bwringer]

I don't trust "automatic" stripper on anything smaller than 18 AWG but I still might buy a pair of those Irwin automatic stripper.

Seriously, they work fine on teensy-tiny wires. I've done a fair bit of wiring 12V LED lights with mine, and those lights usually come with extremely fine stranded wire.

Try 'em out and see. They're cheap and available pretty much everywhere.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thermal strippers
never broken a strand with them.....

Brand and model number ?