wire strippers- what do you use?

[fordracing200]

I recently was in the market for some wire strippers, I don't have any, always used my dads, he had the pos big ones with the non spring loaded hard grips and the strippers were in the crotch not on the ends, anyways I picked up a set of Klein 11055 for 20.99 at a local ace which doesn't move inventory very quickly, they are 25 or 26 bucks on kleins website, they are awesome, My dad just got a pair of craftsman proffesionals for 12.99, they are just as sharp but the grips are a hair harder and the lock is on the left not the center, so if you push it too far they'll pop open...I prefer my kleins, both are nice though. What do you guys have?

 

[fordracing200]

These are the ones I've got
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00080DPNQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Dads
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00973573000P?keyword=craftsman+wire+stripper

 

[Thedroid]

I like the Snap-ons, but find them too heavy and big to carry around at work. I like the Ideal Reflex's at work, but I'm looking for something better. Does Knipex make any standard strippers?

I have a set of the Kleins above, and they work good also.

 

[LGMechanical]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...7&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

These ones here. They are pretty sharp and the handles are nice. I use Channel lock crimpers though. I don't like automatic wire strippers.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Ideal stripmasters...for me..


http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide11-24.html

 

[caper]

I have about ten different pairs and always just use the cutting end on my channelock crimpers.Using one tool to strip and another to crimp is a pain in the ***.After so many years I rarely knick the wire.

http://www.channellock.com/acb/stores/1/909_-_THE_CRIMPER_trade_-_Cr_P90C17.cfm

 

[bushhawg73]

I have has these for years and they still work really good. Priced right too.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=&item_ID=38&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I bought this pair a few months ago and found that I continue to use the cheaper pair above. I like this pair and have no complaints about them but they are not any better that the pair above IMHO. I bought them because I can crimp with the same pair I strip with.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?search=true&item_ID=76201&PartNo=PWCS9&group_id=796&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[toolnut]

The Klein 1010 are the best all around wire strippers. I am not a big fan of the spring loaded ones unless I am working on the fine stuff. There were a couple different versions of the 1010. One had a small cutter blade (which I did not like) and the other had a larger cutter blade. Other companies had similar ones such as Channel Lock , Craftsman, GB, Snap On, Diamond , Napa , Greenlee ,Rigid, Calterm, and Danaher ETC.....


Prices ranges will vary also on these brands - most are still made in the USA.

 

[tatra]

teeth........whatever is available, including just sidecutters........strippers are nice if available but not a deal breaker for me...............learnt the hard way how to do it right when the proper toools weren't around......

 

[bmwpower]

Ideal stripmasters...for me..


http://www.mytoolstore.com/ideal/ide11-24.html

+1...............

So much quicker.....

 

[mrb]

Xuron 501s for me.....

 

[nate379]

I have a set of the Snappy ones, was like $12 and also a set of "auto strippers" like the Ideal but not the same brand.

 

[billymade]

I love these! German OEM; someone posted the company who makes them...somewhere on this board! Ideal and a couple other companies sell this unit as well...

Snapon Wire Stripper/Cutter, Automatic, (AWG 12 to 20), 7 1/4" Stock#: PWC22A
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

same unit; cheaper price: Ancor Strp Auto Wir 22-12 - Automatic Wire Stripper - 702030
http://www3.dealtime.com/xPO-Automatic-Wire-Stripper-4741

same unit: Ideal Industries: Ideal Industries 45-227 Grip-N-Strip End Stripper
http://www.google.com/products?clie...-227&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf

 

[bmwpower]

I love these! German OEM; someone posted the company who makes them...somewhere on this board! Ideal and a couple other companies sell this unit as well...

Snapon Wire Stripper/Cutter, Automatic, (AWG 12 to 20), 7 1/4" Stock#: PWC22A
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

same unit; cheaper price: Ancor Strp Auto Wir 22-12 - Automatic Wire Stripper - 702030
http://www3.dealtime.com/xPO-Automatic-Wire-Stripper-4741

same unit: Ideal Industries: Ideal Industries 45-227 Grip-N-Strip End Stripper
http://www.google.com/products?clie...-227&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf

Any closeups of this thing? How does it work?

 

[billymade]

You put the wire in the jaws (there is a "adjuster" for cutting length of the insulation) pull the handles and it strips off the insulation in one quick motion; I saw these at work one time....then, I had to get a pair!

Description from Ideal:

"Features
l Self-adjusting stripping blades automatically select proper position
l Strips #12 AWG solid to #20 AWG stranded PVC insulated wire
l Dual strip-length gauge marks at 316 in. and 5/16 in.
l Cuts up to 12 AWG solid wire
l Lightweight, ergonomic design reduces user fatigue
l Reinforced fiberglass construction
l Hardened steel blades for extra strength and longer life"

 

[bmwpower]

But do you always have to adjust the cutter?

You put the wire in the jaws (there is a "adjuster" for cutting depth of the insulation) pull the handles and it strips off the insulation in one quick motion; I saw these at work one time....then, I had to get a pair!

Description from Ideal:

"Features
l Self-adjusting stripping blades automatically select proper position
l Strips #12 AWG solid to #20 AWG stranded PVC insulated wire
l Dual strip-length gauge marks at 316 in. and 5/16 in.
l Cuts up to 12 AWG solid wire
l Lightweight, ergonomic design reduces user fatigue
l Reinforced fiberglass construction
l Hardened steel blades for extra strength and longer life"

 

[wreckercologist]

I love these! German OEM; someone posted the company who makes them...somewhere on this board! Ideal and a couple other companies sell this unit as well...

Snapon Wire Stripper/Cutter, Automatic, (AWG 12 to 20), 7 1/4" Stock#: PWC22A
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...1&group_ID=796&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

I've got two pair of these, one Snap-on, one Mac. They are identical. Over the past ten years, I've worn out about one per year, but they were always warrantied by the tool dealer. I bought the second one because it seemed like the always broke at the worse possible time, hence the back up.

They are the cat's *** as far as I'm concerned . I'm totally with billymade on these strippers. They will fit into places and strip wire where nothing else will.

My problem with the "stripper/crimper/cutter/bolt shear/plier" style is they don't do any one thing very well. This is usually the case with multi-purpose tools, at least in my experience. My wiring tray at work has dedicated strippers, crimpers, side dykes, ect.......but I do a ton of wiring and have standards I must meet at work like time and quality. For the average guy at home, this is probably overkill.

By the way, they are not fire proof!

 

[alex71]

or

 

[JohnK007]

I got more wire strippers than brain cells, but the ones I turn to most often is the Klein equivalent of the Ideal Stripmaster for most household-size wire (16 to 10 awg). I also have a pair of Ideal for smaller gauges (16 to 26 awg).

 

[Mike F]

I've been using the Irwin (which I found through an earlier thread on this board) and have been very pleased. See review here:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tools/vise-grip/self-adjusting-wire-stripper.htm

 

[Gary S]

I've been in the electronics industry for about 40 years. I've used just about every wire stripper ever made, from the cheapest POS to the most expensive brand names. In the end, they all end up on a pile somewhere in a toolbox, and I pull out my Leatherman pocket knife and strip the wire the old fashioned way.

 

[BetterDays]

I currently use the cheapo HF version of the quick strip.
Place the wire in and pull. Clean cut, clean removal.

I will purchase a better version when these quit working as I wanted to use these as a test.

 

[Chreese]

Servus,

this thread contains information about the self-adjusting wire stripper which is available from Snap-on (among others).

My choice: Weidmüller Stripax

Have a nice day,

Chreese

 

[Dodgepu360]

I have the Klein-Kurve strippers the 11055 & 11057
I love them, I had the the old crappy all in one stripper and crimper thing and these are a million times better

I am thinking of getting the 11053

 

[mcgyverit]

I have used these in the past:

http://www.kinginnovation.com/pdfs/50100-19-kingtools01.pdf

Not the greatest, but gets the job done.

 

[fordracing200]

I have the Klein-Kurve strippers the 11055 & 11057
I love them, I had the the old crappy all in one stripper and crimper thing and these are a million times better

I am thinking of getting the 11053

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Xlme5oNuL._SL500_AA280_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.amazon.com/Klein-11053-Klein-Kurve-Stripper-Cutter/dp/B000MKH0YC&usg=__DP0TazKQt6fu7FPFFwAgMJ6AzTY=&h=280&w=280&sz=8&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=q7q5z4UyFiuAbM:&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dklein%2B11053%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1

Yeah I was considering getting the 11053, but hadn't heard anything good or bad about them except for the 1 lone review on amazon. They look good, I'll probably snag them, for 23 bucks you can't go wrong.

 

[Patz]

First choice:

Various brands. Long lasting and good to use.


Second Choice:

Skalmaster 001/ Abiko 001
Spring return, light weight, small plier. Somewhat soft metal that wears out faster than the others. Easy to use.


Third Choice:

Weidmuller Stripax
With no doubt the best automatic stripper i've used. However as most automatics it is quite large and bulky. The "lenght gauge" have a tendency to wear out.
Quite expensive.


Last choice:

Knipex KN1101
Although beeing a quality Knipex made plier i simply cannot stand to use this kind of strippers. Requires high pulling force. Not recomended.

 

[HandyManny]

I've been in the electronics industry for about 40 years. I've used just about every wire stripper ever made, from the cheapest POS to the most expensive brand names. In the end, they all end up on a pile somewhere in a toolbox, and I pull out my Leatherman pocket knife and strip the wire the old fashioned way.

Used to be some manufacturer out in Harrisburg, PA who made wire strippers for virtually every brand out there, including Klien.

 

[Monte]

+1 what billymade wrote

@bmwpower:

Here are some videos of automatic wire strippers ( "super 4 plus" is the newer version of the ones billymade posted) click
Here is a animation of how the larger Knipex automatic wire stripper works: click

 

[speed bump]

I have a set of Cmans that occasionally see use but most of the time I reach for the Ideal Stripmasters.

 

[toolnut]

Used to be some manufacturer out in Harrisburg, PA who made wire strippers for virtually every brand out there, including Klien.

AMP which made some of the best stuff...

 

[billymade]

Monte, which one is better? The Knipex or the Jokari? I'm thinking the Knipex is heavier duty and less prone to breakage; I had one of the earlier Jokari OEM/Snap-on ones break on me... it was replaced under warranty, however! Have you used the Knipex? I'm seeing the Knipex for sale @ Price: $96.74!!! The Jokari OEM rebaged is $30-$50 quite a bit cheaper! I lust after Knipex stuff but am still looking for them used! I rarely if ever see them at the flea or pawn shops!

 

[makgreens]

besides the few times ive pinched my thumb these are some of the best strippers ive had/used in a lone time
http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd150031

 

[Patz]

+1 what billymade wrote

@bmwpower:

Here are some videos of automatic wire strippers ( "super 4 plus" is the newer version of the ones billymade posted) click

Wow, have a look at the "quadro" stripper at that page. Pretty damn cool.
I specially like the integrated wire twisting function.
Not sure how it works out in real use, but it sure does looks fancy.

Direct link: http://www.jokari.de/interactive_video.asp?video_id=8

 

[HandyManny]

AMP which made some of the best stuff...

Are they still around?

 

[Monte]

Monte, which one is better? The Knipex or the Jokari? I'm thinking the Knipex is heavier duty and less prone to breakage; I had one of the earlier Jokari OEM/Snap-on ones break on me... it was replaced under warranty, however! Have you used the Knipex? I'm seeing the Knipex for sale @ Price: $96.74!!! The Jokari OEM rebaged is $30-$50 quite a bit cheaper! I lust after Knipex stuff but am still looking for them used! I rarely if ever see them at the flea or pawn shops!

I only have the lower priced entry level Knipex (Jokari) stripper pictured, it works fine so far. The larger/more expensive Knipex version ("Multistrip 10") has a larger capacity (AWG 32 - 7) vs. AWG 24 - 10 . The Multistrip also has metal jaws to hold the wire. Both models are rebuildable. If you can live with the smaller capacity I would take the Knipex "1262180" model if you need a bigger capacity and need them every day then i would choose the Multistrip.

No matter what brand or style you choose I always would prefer a automatic wire stripper with length stop to make sure that all wires you strip always fit perfectly in the connectors.

 

[billymade]

So, is the Knipex shown above actually a OEM Jokari and does Knipex make the bigger ones or are they all OEM by Jokari? Ahhh, so which "crimper" did you use for that connector without insulation? I used to see those type of connectors on my old air cooled VW Beetles! I have yet to find a high quality crimper that does those type of connectors! The ones I have seen have different dies and are very expensive....

 

[Vinko]

The Klein 1010 are the best all around wire strippers.

These are the blue handled ones, right? By coincidence, I just bought a pair tonight.

 

[Vinko]

I've been in the electronics industry for about 40 years. I've used just about every wire stripper ever made, from the cheapest POS to the most expensive brand names. In the end, they all end up on a pile somewhere in a toolbox, and I pull out my Leatherman pocket knife and strip the wire the old fashioned way.

That's how I used to do it. Now I've bought a Klein (see my post above, and I'd hate to think they'll wind up in the bottom of the tool box, but we'll see. I just thought the Klein's will do a cleaner job of it that I can. But I'm no pro

 

[Vicegrip]

Electricians pliers and the right touch. The adjustment to many wire sizes and types is stored in the head/hand part.