Wire stripper

Adam_MD

I'd really like a wire stripper to save myself a lot of hassle but having just had a quick google there are shit loads of them available. Can anyone recommend me a decent wire stripper which will handle most applications?

I'm sick out cutting through cables when trying to strip a bit off the end.

GuitarMonkey

Using a wire stripper invariably puts stress on the cable.

Much better to use a sharp knife and roll the cable on the blade with just enough pressure to cut through the insulation but not the wire.

ecc83

Having been stripping wires with sidecutters for 50years rarely needed one but I used to steal these..

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/product/613044/?grossPrice=Y&cm_mmc=UK%7CShopping-_-Google+PLA-_-RS%7CCable+Strippers-_-613044&kpid=&kpid=613044&istCompanyId=f7e7b05b-2daf-4c0e-8825-3633baf8113b&istItemId=xwiwqwttl&istBid=tzit&gclid=CNXq-ZDXh8QCFSbkwgodzhgAbg

From the technical director when doing jobs like 15 pin D subs or a speaker loom.

DO NOT cheap out! You WILL regret it!

Dave.

ChrisMusic

+1 to *everything* @ecc83 said (and I don't even know his tech director!)

Danny1969

I use the same as Dave but mine are Draper branded. I've had them for 20 years though and they still get used every day. Providing you adjust them to suit the cable your working with there's no stress to the cable as then the jaws will only bit through the insulation and not the conductor

The blue ones on my bench here :

ICBM

I use this type.

http://www.insulatedtools.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/e/n/end_wire_strippers.jpg

Quicker than a knife, leaves a slightly cleaner cut end than side-cutters, and if either adjusted perfectly or (like I do) used with no stop but just learning to judge the 'feel' of it so you only cut through the insulation, doesn't put much strain on the core.

You sometimes have to have two 'bites' at it for a really gentle cut, if you do it once then rotate the wire by 90º and do it again, to make sure the insulation is fully cut.

ChrisMusic

Same "two-bite 90° technique" as ICBM on finer wires with side or end cutters, but you learn to judge "correct" technique.

Also used these

http://img-europe.electrocomponents.com/largeimages/F5423357-01.jpg

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/5423357/

and for large cable outer sheaths (4mm5 to 26mm)

http://img-europe.electrocomponents.com/largeimages/F5417015-01.jpg

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/5417015/

Adam_MD

Thanks chaps I'll have a look at some of these. I'm sick of cutting too far through the cable with a sharp knife.

Headphones

Always used what I now understand to be the Standard Stripmaster, (second one up), since early days in a panel building shop during training.  If you use the proper hole there's no stressing of the sheath, no nicking of the conductors and a teeny tube of insulation heading for the eye of the annoying chap on the next bench.

Sassafras

If it's very fine wire I still prefer using a double edge razor blade. You can feel through the blade the moment it touches metal without damaging the wire.

BigMonka

I've got a pair of the Farnell variant of these: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/5401492/

But if you're anything like me then if you get the ones below you can spend any bored moments pretending that its a T-Rex attacking the other tools on the workbench (you have to do the dinosaur noises yourself though)

http://img-europe.electrocomponents.com/largeimages/F0613044-03.jpg

thermionic

I've never found a decent pair. I have some dinosaur/godzilla ones but they always end up cutting strands of wire along with the insulation - too many strands of wire. Mine are cheap Maplins ones though.

I've also bought a Rolson one of the type ICBM posted - they appear well-made but I never got them to work satisfactorily and went back to putting shallow cuts in my thumb with a Stanley knife.