Do fancy strippers work?

[ironbut]

I was watching a tutorial the other day and more than anything else, I realized just how much better the guy's wire stripper worked than mine. Actually, I have a couple of Klein (I think) basic strippers that I've had for eons. Most of the time I use 18-22 AWG teflon insulated solid core wire so I keep one adjusted to the smaller end of the spectrum and the other to the larger sizes (and/or a breakaway type knife).
So, I'm thinking of buying one of the "self adjusting" strippers like the Irwin and I just wanted to see what you guys think?

Of course, ever since I watched that video I've been convincing myself that my strippers are getting dull. Do I really need it? Or is it just another case of "tool envy"?

 

[Grainger49]

I had a pair of "self adjusting" wire strippers.  They didn't work for me so I threw them out.

I now use one from Harbor Freight that has openings for each wire size I use.  It strips the wire well.  Not like like the Kline strippers I have.  This one you squeeze and it strips the wire from the jaws forward.

This has been used quite a bit on the Teflon wire.  I think Paully can verify it works most of the time.  Probably not always, Teflon is slippery.

 

[xcortes]

Ah, oh, you're talking about tools! When I read fancy strippers I thought something else. Ok, back to reality.

 

[coca]

Sometimes some of the self adjusting ones won't trim the teflon insulated wires.

Bernie.

 

[ironbut]

Ah, oh, you're talking about tools! When I read fancy strippers I thought something else. Ok, back to reality.

I thought about the subject header after I posted it.
Maybe something like " Are fancy strippers worth the extra money?" would've been better?

I can always count on you Xavier!

 

[Mudhiker]

The best kind of stripper, for maintaining the integrity of the wire (avoiding nicking) is a thermal stripper.  But it's messy and stinky, and you have little curls of melted plastic to trim off.  For mechanical stripping, the Ideal Stripmaster is good if you know how to use it properly.  I wouldn't touch the harbor freight knock-offs with a three meter pole, but I am a former 2M tech and my personal solder station is a Pace PRC 2000, which is sort of the Snap-On of portable rework tools.  Yes, fancy strippers are great, as are nice comfy $50 diagonal cutters, especially if you are going to be using them all day long.  Buy the best you can afford, take care of them, and your hands will thank you.

Good tools are always nice, and I never feel bad spending extra money to get good quality.

 

[Grainger49]

You probably shouldn't use a thermal stripper with Teflon wire as the gas is poisonous.

I had bookmarked the HF stripper.  It isn't stocked anymore.  I can say that it does sometimes nip solid wire.  I mistakenly bought the metric model.  I think the AWG model would work fine.

 

[ironbut]

Thanks you guys.
It looks like the Ideal Stripmaster is the one I saw in that YouTube video. Maybe I'll give that one a try.

 

[corndog71]

I use common nail clippers to strip small wires.

 

[Mudhiker]

As Corndog71 points out, you can use just about anything (just don't use your teeth!! You'll groove them) as long as the end result is proper.

 

[ironbut]

I do love me some nicely made/designed tools though. It's kinda weird that most of my electronics tools are a bad assortment of Home Depot/Fry's Electronics/RS sale rack stuff.
That nail clipper idea is a good one instead of using the breakaway knife that I use for those tough to strip wires. I'll give that a try too.

 

[HF9]

I have the Irwin one and I hate it. It doesn't cut through teflon and cuts through strands when you're stripping something with soft copper.

 

[howardnair]

well!!--you could call it work--or it works for me--but since its wire we are stripping--no get the simple ones--i use the ones that you dial with your thumb 14 gauge to 22 or 24gauge -- yellow handles--

 

[jrebman]

For teflon (and most others) I like the CK Tools adjustable stripper that goes from 20 to 30 awg, and the Klaus no-niks.  I ended up sellihng all my no-niks as they just became too uncomfortable to use, but the CK strippers are wonderful.  I have a small pile of auto strippers from no-names to AMP, Amphenol, and Ideal, and they are fine for larger gauges with pvc insulation, but terrible for teflon and cotton.

HTH,

Jim

 

[InfernoSTi]

I have the Ideal Stripmaster I got used on eBay and it does fine for me.  What I am seeking is a wire stripper for shielded wire.  Any suggestions for a best tool for leaving the silver plated copper weave intact?  Or just use a large gauge setting and be gentle (i.e. work on my technique)? 

P.S. Not that I know myself, but I have friends who tell me yes they do, and for every dollar.

 

[ironbut]

Thanks for all your great input guys!
I did end up buying an Ideal stripper and so far, I like it for the larger stuff. I just adjusted my cheap Kleins to the 21/22 AWG solid wire for the other stuff.

BTW I use a good bit of shielded wire and I just use my break-away blade knifes for that. I usually use the same shielded wire so I'm used to what I have to do to keep from cutting through or nicking the shield. I think the key to that is to lightly cut all the way around, then bend the wire at the cut before I go back and finish cutting the jacket(s) off. That way I can see where it still need slicing. The problems arise as you continue to cut in areas that are already sliced through.

 

[Grainger49]

If you need to strip the twisted shielded pair (TSP) in a Bottlehead kit I have used a pocket knife.  I don't know if there is a specific tool that will do it without nicking the individual conductors.  If you need to strip coax, RG-59 or RG-6, there are specific tools made for that Radio Shack used to stock one that cuts and strips for an F connector.

 

[bobster]

Fancy or plain, all strippers should have the opportunity to work.  Personally, I prefer watching the fancy ones.  ;=)