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Old 12th Aug 2017, 9:48 pm   #21
IanBland
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I don't know if I'd class this as a recommendation, but I was just going to snap a piccie of mine when I saw kellys_eye had one of a virtually identical pair. Except mine are old and beaten up, the first pair I ever bought in 1984-ish at Buck And Ryan's. I then tried everything else, the side ones, the ratchetty ones, the "dragon head" ones, my teeth, other peoples' teeth, and ended up back with the old faithful end strippers.

Most of the clever ones either couldn't handle some insulation types, or hurt my hand or caused blisters after intensive work (I was a sparks remember, so it wasn't just the odd end to strip) and always ended up digging these out. Sometimes simple is best. Mine haven't even got a spring, and I lost the locking nut thingy, but I never set the depth anyway, I just "feel" it.

They don't rip strands out of strandeds either and even do a decent job on that weird "wire" that is 99% string.
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Old 12th Aug 2017, 10:08 pm   #22
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I have a pair like "Kelly's Eye", a crimp tool incorporating something very similar to Jon's, and a pair like Terry's, and I use them all at different times. I also use side cutters to cut into the sheath but avoiding the copper. All have advantages and disadvantages. The CRIMP pair I use for 'bike wiring, those like Terry's for multi strand mains panel wiring, Kelly's up in electronics room, and side cutters whenever they seem best. These MUST be in good condition, old and sloppy a waste of time.
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Old 12th Aug 2017, 11:04 pm   #23
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

These are very good for stripping co-ax and screened cables FWIW
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Old 13th Aug 2017, 12:00 am   #24
kellys_eye
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

The picture I posted was a stock image - my pliers are donkeys years old, tatty, have a lovely patina and I wouldn't part with them for anything. Some tools you just get a real attachment for.....

Glad I'm not alone in appreciating the simpler things in life.
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Old 13th Aug 2017, 12:38 am   #25
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

Another vote for IDEAL Stripmaster.

I have tried a few others, but these are the best I have found.

Just make sure you get the right cutters though, lots of special variants around.
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Old 13th Aug 2017, 1:01 pm   #26
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I usually carefully nick the insulation twice, opposite each other, with side cutters and then pull it off either with the cutters or thumb nail and forefinger. No good for commercial use of course, you need the appropriate tool for that.
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Old 13th Aug 2017, 11:44 pm   #27
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I have two pairs like the ones in post#9.
One from Aldi and one vintage Eliot Lucas.
I also have a couple of pairs like the ones in post#19.
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 12:21 am   #28
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I bought the Ideal ones from RS in the end. Fingers crossed!

Edit: these ones: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/0243112/ (thanks Julesomega)

RS have a good returns policy if they are terrible
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 12:28 am   #29
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I was going to recommend the Ideal T-stripper but you just linked to it!

Worth mentioning there are metric and imperial sets, I have the ones with red handles. Ultra sharp (don't get your skin in there) and absolutely no chance of nicking the copper if you have repetitive jobs on the same sized wire, eg terminating a large multi-core.

I do have a pair of those auto-gauging nick-and-strip things that close & draw with one squeeze, but I find them best left for household electrics.
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 9:20 am   #30
MrBungle
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

Quote:
Originally Posted by McMurdo View Post
I was going to recommend the Ideal T-stripper but you just linked to it!

Worth mentioning there are metric and imperial sets, I have the ones with red handles. Ultra sharp (dont get your skin in there) and absolutely no chance of nicking the copper if you have repetitive jobs on the same sized wire, eg terminating a large multi-core.

I do have a pair of those auto-gauging nick-and-strip things that close & draw with one squeeze, but I find them best left for household electrics.
Yes I went for the metric ones. Assuming the 7/0.2 + 1/0.6 wire spools I have floating around are what they say they are
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Old 14th Aug 2017, 2:17 pm   #31
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

Lidl advertised the Powerfix Profi Wire Stripper for regular cables 0.5 - 6mm² from Thursday 17th August while stocks last:
https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-O...articleId=5461
The photograph shows that it includes blades to cut the cable sheath which might be handy for co-ax, if it works.

There is also a Powerfix Profi Crimping Pliers Set for easy cutting, stripping of insulation and crimping. Includes 230 assorted wires, connectors and other accessories:
https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-O...articleId=5459

I do not recommend these; I merely point them out.

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Old 15th Aug 2017, 1:07 pm   #32
MrBungle
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

The ideal T-stripper arrived and I'm going to be honest when I say it's absolutely amazing! I've just spent an hour stripping 1/0.6, 7/0.2, 16/0.2 wires and it hasn't nicked a single bit of conductor. Zero effort as well. Well worth the money!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

RS part 243-112 for future reference.
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 8:32 pm   #33
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

They are exactly the ones I meant, although they appear to be made by someone else. Anyway, good choice, I have had mine for years and the only (minor) problem I have had is the spring came away at one end but was easily nipped up so it didn't happen again. It's also worth adding a touch of lube now and again to the pivot, especially when used outside a lot, like my work ones are.
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Old 15th Aug 2017, 9:18 pm   #34
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

Hmmm, just received some new Lindstroms today.
Just now I am located in, and I expected them to be from, Sweden.
But no - they are marked with Spain.

They have cut a wire or two - some of them very fine.
All OK so far but I am keeping my eye on them. Matt black finish...

My home cutters are tired now - also Lindstroms bought in 1983 or 4 - my graduation present to me, along with an Avo 8 - also quite tired now...
But those cutters are still shiny silver steel and not matt black.

I was going to treat myself to a new pair. I'm waiting before spending my own money..

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Old 19th Aug 2017, 11:14 pm   #35
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I mostly just use side cutters, and don't nick the wire or any strands very often. If one gently squeezes the insulation a few times at the desired stripping point, and then give a quick flick of the wrist!

I also have several pairs of BT/GPO Pliers wiring #5 kicking around, which are long nosed pliers with a wire stripper incorporated. They're designed for 0.5mm sq but will work on small mains flex "wires" too. I have to agree about the so called automatic ones. Unless one pays an absolute fortune for some decent ones, the rest are rubbish. I have actually broken a pair of those by squeezing too hard. That might have been me though as I also did it to a pair of nutcrackers once...........
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Old 20th Aug 2017, 12:01 am   #36
MrBungle
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I found if I used side cutters I would nick the inner conductor slightly. That's not good really.

So I've been using the Ideal ones for a few days now. They are simply the best thing I've ever used. One of the big problems I had with other strippers is doing really short wires for breadboards etc. Easy with this - no cases of ending up pulling the conductor out of the insulation. They are nothing short of brilliant. Also they have lead forming holes in them so you can use them for bending solid wire into various shapes without stressing it.
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Old 20th Aug 2017, 1:27 am   #37
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I think a good test for any wire strippers is to try them on PTFE coated wire.
Here at home I have a set of the old classic PTS4 (gun style?) wire strippers and I've had them for about 25 years. They still work fine on small PVC coated wire for quick/casual wire stripping but they aren't really suited for critical or accurate work.

For PTFE coated wire they are completely useless as they just shred the PTFE. But for small PVC wire they are the quickest thing I've used and the results are good enough for me even if the way these things work is remarkably crude in comparison to decent wire strippers.

At work we have some amazing wire strippers that I got to use a few times. These will strip PTFE or PVC with a smooth and accurate action to a preset depth and length along the wire. Almost by magic the insulation gets trimmed away at the chosen spot with no signs of stretching or compression of the outer insulation. I can't remember who makes them but they were super smooth to use and must have been very expensive.
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Old 20th Aug 2017, 9:50 am   #38
MrBungle
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I haven't got any PTFE wire here at the moment. If I come across some i will have a go
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Old 20th Aug 2017, 10:31 am   #39
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon_G4MDC View Post
These were better than I expected them to be.

https://www.elfa.se/en/wire-stripper...=25&simi=97.69

Have you tried that type?
These or this type.

http://cpc.farnell.com/ideal/45-121/...ded/dp/TL00592

I have used these for 20 years on the job and they are ideal. The preset holes cover single strand cat5 gauge right upto mains multi core. The cutting blade are great for removing outer sheaths as well.
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Old 27th Aug 2017, 4:17 am   #40
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Default Re: Decent wire strippers

I have had two pairs of these, large and small, for so long I can't remember when but probably from the SnapOn tools van. The main advantage is that the hole is round so if you pick the wire gauge right you can't nick the wire - even cuts teflon insulation.
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