basic wire stripping question ...

[86Scotty]

Good info here. I think to sum it up basically wiring and strippers have gotten cheaper (cheaply made) and your strippers are old and dull.

I use these, which I think is what Steve is meaning. No numbers to think about and a quick learning curve.

https://www.lowes.ca/wire-strippers-..._g1195369.html

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by Steve_382

Ha. The smaller style Ideal is what most guys have in their pocket or tool pouch. I have a dozen of the Ideal ones and most have an extra hole of varying size caused by cutting a hot wire and blowing a hole in the cutter part.

As an electrical contractor for many years, I bought just about every fancy type of stripper known, but always came back to these, I can't recommend them highly enough.

Ideal Industries - Premium T®-Stripper

When they are new and sharp, they strip wire effortlessly, there's no adjustments to make, there inexpensive and light weight. After a few years, they get dull but still work fine, it just takes a little more effort as they don't cut completely through. Interestingly, none of mine have holes blown through them from shorting out live wires. I've only done that once in 30 years while using a pair of side cutters on a circuit I ASSUMED was dead. I'm not a fan of getting shocked, unlike some folks like Ted, the organizer of the Roaming Rally. A couple weeks ago, after several beers, I offered him $5 to put his tongue on a bug zapper. He did, and his reaction was priceless. There was a loud snap, a puff of steam and his eyes just about popped out of his head. He seemed paralyzed for a minute, and then the only movement he could make was to put his hand out to collect the $5. It was the best $5 I ever spent. I offered him another five to do it again, but the price went up to something like $100

[SMB123]

Here's mine. Vaco model 1963. It has what I'll call a "patina" but it looks like it's been through hell. Probably invented shortly after the the discovery of fire.

[Scalf77]

Good link on wire strippers, terminals, crimpers, etc. https://marinehowto.com/marine-wire-termination/

-greg

[SMB123]

I think it's poignant that the first one they said to avoid was like mine. Obviously they want more for themselves :-)

[Glider]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

Good link on wire strippers, terminals, crimpers, etc. https://marinehowto.com/marine-wire-termination/

-greg

That made for fun lunchtime reading, and it gained a bookmark from me. Thanks, Greg!

[Scalf77]

Originally Posted by SMB123

I think it's poignant that the first one they said to avoid was like mine. Obviously they want more for themselves :-)

I suspect that was for its crimping and not necessarily its stripping ability.

-greg

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by Scalf77

I suspect that was for its crimping and not necessarily its stripping ability.-greg

They are equal opportunity strippers and crimpers. They suck badly at both. As he said, for emergency use only.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by GreyDawg

Yesterday evening I stripped about a dozen ends the old fashioned way: very carefully shaving the sheath with a sharp utility knife and then trimming the flapping bits with a nail clipper. Nary a wire was lost, and after my frustration with the old tool, it was satisfying but slow.... a bit like whittling wood.

This method works well for solid wire, not so much with stranded type. As you've discovered the right tool for the job is not only "better" but its a time saver as well.

FWIW I've been guilty of holding onto one of the simple Klein strippers, not wanting to toss out a $12 tool just because it's "old". When using a new stripper I realize the cost is soon forgotten when the ease and quality of using a newer tool produces.

GreyDawg you'll get there skill-wise----this is a learned skill.

[sajohnson]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

As an electrical contractor for many years, I bought just about every fancy type of stripper known, but always came back to these, I can't recommend them highly enough.

Ideal Industries - Premium T®-Stripper

When they are new and sharp, they strip wire effortlessly, there's no adjustments to make, there inexpensive and light weight. After a few years, they get dull but still work fine, it just takes a little more effort as they don't cut completely through. Interestingly, none of mine have holes blown through them from shorting out live wires. I've only done that once in 30 years while using a pair of side cutters on a circuit I ASSUMED was dead. I'm not a fan of getting shocked, unlike some folks like Ted, the organizer of the Roaming Rally. A couple weeks ago, after several beers, I offered him $5 to put his tongue on a bug zapper. He did, and his reaction was priceless. There was a loud snap, a puff of steam and his eyes just about popped out of his head. He seemed paralyzed for a minute, and then the only movement he could make was to put his hand out to collect the $5. It was the best $5 I ever spent. I offered him another five to do it again, but the price went up to something like $100

Great story, thanks!

I'm a retired automatic train control tech. Of all the wire strippers I've owned I prefer the ones you linked to.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, it can help to use the next larger size hole and twist the strippers around the wire -- or, use the correct size hole to cut the insulation, and then use the next larger hole to pull it off. Sometimes, cutting the insulation twice helps -- cut once, then rotate the wire (or strippers) 90* and cut again.

I have to say, I've managed to never damage strippers by working on a live wire and shorting it to ground. That would get your attention. I have made other similar mistakes though.