Wire Strippers

[pcpro15]

I'm in the market for wire strippers. I had an old set of greenlee that has now migrated itself to the truck tool bag, and I need to fill the spot in the toolbox again. I primary deal with 10awg - 20/22 awg stranded. I do not need to be able to crimp with them, I have a set of SO 29cp crimpers.

I have a pair of Klein linesman's (journeyman 2000) and they are awesome. Certainly not opposed to putting another Klein tool in my toolbox.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Also out of curiosity, does anyone know the OE for snap on's pwc6?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=796&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

I also have used the channellock wire strippers and they work great.

Looking for suggestions between those three, and any other suggestions. Trying to stay made in USA. I have tried the SO pwcs9 and I was not impressed. They would not strip wire 14 or 16 ga on stranded side using the correct holes. The cheap channellocks had no issue what so ever. I love the kool aid, but I was very disappointed with that one.

Thanks in advance,
pcpro15

 

[pipsters]

I use Klein I have been really happy with them.

Edited: I bought these, not sure the difference in the ones you posted and the ones below. But they strip wire well.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[fivespdcat]

I really like these Klein's:

You can find them at Home Depot.

 

[plinker]

I have the curved handle Kliens, really nice to use. About 15$ IIRC.

 

[davesnothere]

I have s/o, klein, and just recently picked a like new pair of the channellocks. Damn if them channellocks don't work great. I've only used em a bit, but so far, I'm definately impressed.

 

[pipsters]

I really like these Klein's:

You can find them at Home Depot.

Yep those are the same ones I linked to and own.

 

[kissmeimgerman]

Ideal

 

[awdblazer]

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/katapult-wire-stripper-8-22-awg/918703
my favorites

 

[oldwino]

me too on the curved handle Klein...great strippers

 

[pcpro15]

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/katapult-wire-stripper-8-22-awg/918703
my favorites

I have those, only difference being they are made by ideal. I appreciate the info guys. I certainly will check out the curved handle kleins

 

[fivespdcat]

Yep those are the same ones I linked to and own.

I figured, the link just didn't work

 

[Plasmatic]

Ideal
http://www.idealindustries.com/prod...-super-wire-strippers&div=3&l1=wire_strippers

 

[caseyjw]

Ugh... Kleins... If you are stripping one wire per week maybe they are ok, but they damage the conductors too much....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EXNX0C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B8WB5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015BKS6Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20


These ones are the cat's meow. I personally prefer the phoenix contact ones, and I haven't been able to find the OEM but I don't list them here b/c they are like $175.

Casey

 

[shampoop]

For most automotive uses, i really like these. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They do any size perfectly, and most importantly for automotive use you don't need to know what gauge the wire is.

 

[shampoop]

Ugh... Kleins... If you are stripping one wire per week maybe they are ok, but they damage the conductors too much....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EXNX0C/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015BKS6Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20


These ones are the cat's meow. I personally prefer the phoenix contact ones, and I haven't been able to find the OEM but I don't list them here b/c they are like $175.

Casey

Although, i was just in a situation yesterday, where this style of auto strippers would be extremely ideal due to the clearance issues. Only problem is they cost a lot more than the irwin ones I have.

 

[WR250F]

I have the Klein equivalent and the Ideal 45-120's

I like the Kleins with the new style cushion grip and all, but I still reach for my Ideal 45-120 10x as often.

The Ideals are simple, they hold up, and they work.

I worked in an area where I stripped wires 10-24 gauge almost daily for over 20 years and I am still using the same pair of strippers I got when I was a lad.

There are definitely other styles and brands that offer 'improvements' in the way of the curved/comfort fit handles etc, but if you ask just about any electrician/tech/assembler who strips wires every day, exponentially more than not carry the 45-120's

But, the good news is, almost all of the ones on the market will work well. It just depends on how much convenience and bells and whistles you're looking for.

IMO, the Gardner Denver and 3M versions aren't worth buying...

 

[housey]

I have an el cheapo pair and a knipex pair. The knipex ones are better than the cheap ones by a fair bit, but I just use my 6" cable shears for stripping insulation off cables from 0.5mm2-50mm2. (thats about the smallest cable I work with). Once you get the feel of it you can do it faster whilst requiring less tools, and you don't damage the conductors at all. Only time I reach for the knipex strippers is for use in confined spaces

 

[Monte]

these work great

 

[Roots]

these work great

As an industrial electrician, I've always been leery of those, I've yet to meet anyone who did serious wiring who liked them. I've thought about ordering one just to give it a try, and perhaps a better or more indepth review on Amazon.com than they currently have... Just haven't got around to it.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Klein all the way. I've got 2 pairs of the Klein Kurve, and 2 or 3 pairs of the regular ones, both solid and stranded sizes.

 

[Monte]

As an industrial electrician, I've always been leery of those, I've yet to meet anyone who did serious wiring who liked them. I've thought about ordering one just to give it a try, and perhaps a better or more indepth review on Amazon.com than they currently have... Just haven't got around to it.

they work good....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LOiCEeJQ24g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R7epBYp8PCo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[binkcat16]

im have klein ideal and snapon all are good stripers!

 

[kngelv]

Depends on what kind of work you are doing. I'm a Industrial Electrician and use Klein. I've tried Ideal but they wear out too fast. I've also used the Channellock ones but hate the little locking tab. The Knipex and Jokari ones are too large to use in a lot of the applications I deal with but for panel builder they would be great.

James

 

[caseyjw]

I'm panel builder/machine builder, the knipex ones are the best because you can cut and strip before changing tools and hand positions in a very fast manner. when you have to do a few hundred terminations in a shift, there isn't an alternative.

Casey

 

[diesel research]

Ideal stripmasters.

Lost a set a few weeks ago. Had to decide if I wanted to buy something different this time. End up returning to the same great wire strippers.

 

[csargents1546]

 

[browntown]

Diggin up an old thread I know, but I'm looking for a stripper that handles #6 and #8 stranded copper without knicking the conducters. I know klein makes a set p/n 11053 but haven't seen any reviews.

Do you pros just use a knife to cut the circumference then down the length?

Oh yeah, found this style too and they look interesting
http://media.digikey.com/photos/Wiha/mfg32860.jpg

 

[jeffmoss26]

I can't speak for that particular size of Klein wire strippers, but I have the 2 smaller ones and they rock. 11055 and 11057.

 

[kidney]

I like these, they just require a little bit of hand control to operate.


Jensen

 

[amguttin]

I like my channel locks i think they stay sharp forever

 

[HubbaBubba]

klein or Ideal.

 

[Addrock]

Klein, of for car-fi or ballasts:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=360-627

 

[browntown]

I have lots of kleins and channel-locks for your standard 12-20 gauge. I was hoping someone had experience with the one that goes down to 6 gauge, or if I should just use a knife.

 

[Humble Mechanic]

I use Channel Loc brand, similar to the Klein curved ones you guys posted. Mine are not curved handles. Most guys in my shop like the "auto strippers". I personally don't. I like my old plane Janes!

 

[cgv69]

For regular strippers, I like the ChannelLock 957's

For most automotive uses, i really like these. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They do any size perfectly, and most importantly for automotive use you don't need to know what gauge the wire is.

As a former Automotive Electronics Installer, I will verify what shampoop posted. That type of stripping is invaluable, especially for tapping into a wire you don't want to cut or wires way inside places where getting 2 hands in would be impossible. The set I use are labeled GB (model # GS-394) and can be found at Menards (The Vise Grip model above may be the exact same tool with just a different name\handle?)

 

[rockchucker]

I have the Klein Curved Handle, Straight Handle and the Auto Strippers. They all have their place and work very well. If I am working out of Tool Bags I go for the Curved or Straight. Usually for Automotive in the shop I go for the Auto Strippers.


Curved...


http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...-1&keyword=Klein+Wire+Strippers&storeId=10051

Straight...


http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...-1&keyword=Klein+Wire+Strippers&storeId=10051

These are by far the best though. Katapult. They are just cumbersome and sometimes there is just not enough room to get them in place. They take up a lot of room in your Tool Bags too.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0035KF232/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought all of them at Home Depot.

 

[cgv69]

As an FYI, I used both styles;

These...

And these...

The ones like the Katapult are heavier duty but the GB style work much better IMO. Not as bulky, not as heavy and fit into areas the Katapult stye won't

 

[Butters]

These Kleins are by far my favorite:

The lower end Ideals look similar, but I don't like them as much.

 

[chrisexv6]

These Kleins are by far my favorite:

The lower end Ideals look similar, but I don't like them as much.

I have those Kleins and they wore out pretty quick for me (could just be me)

On the flipside, I have the lower end Ideals as well and they rock! I did get the version that is for smaller wire though (currently installing a security system), so Im only stripping/cutting 18 and 22 gauge wire. The Ideals were great just because they were so cheap (7 or 8 bux at Lowes). Surprised I found strippers locally that were made for small to REALLY small gauge wire.

 

[browntown]

I figured id be the guinea pig on the new kleins for fat wire. I had an online order for home depot anyways so I ordered the klein 11053. I already have the 10-20 curved blue handle kleins, and the yellow handle spring ones, so I have faith. Ill report back when I get them