Best wire strippers?

[blueST]

I've been mucking around with this type of wore stripper for years http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-wire-strippi...

I'm not sure why, because they are a pain to set, hard to use accurately and easily go out of adjustment.

Any reccomendations for something better? Something that's good for auto electrics but can do duty on domestic wiring when needed.

[mygoldfishbowl]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-ratcheting-w...

I find this type are good. Mine doesn't have the crimp bits on the handles but the ones in the link look as though they have the same stripping mechanism as mine.

Edited by mygoldfishbowl on Monday 14th December 04:59

[SpamDisco]

For the smaller gauge wires, I use this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/wire-stripper-and-cutter...

[PhillipM]

I use ones like Mygoldfishbowl posted, get a decent set and they're all you need for 99% of jobs.

[ATG]

Man up and use your teeth.

I was given some excellent wire strippers by a great uncle when I was a kid, so they're probably at least 60 years old now. Still work better than any others I've used. Simple design, but can't find any made the same way any more. They're a bit like a big pair of tweezers; hinged at one end, pair of V shaped jaws at the other. A sliding pillar allows you to set how far the jaws can close. The advantage of the design is that wire is in line with your arm which gives you much better feel when pulling off the insulation. They'll happily tackle anything from tiny small signal wire, up to 8mm diameter. The scissor type of strippers put your hand at 90 degrees to the wire, so you get a half controlled flick. And the ratchet strippers in my experience are over engineered and gimmicky and give you no feel at all.

[kambites]

I rewired a large chunk of our house recently and after trying various things eventually decided the best wire strippers were a pair of side-cutters and my teeth.

[blueST]

PhillipM said:

I use ones like Mygoldfishbowl posted, get a decent set and they're all you need for 99% of jobs.

I've reserved a set at screwfix. Picking them up later.

[sleepezy]

mygoldfishbowl said:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-ratcheting-w...

I have one of these type (albeit a different make) - it is quite possibly my favourite tool - once set, works perfectly

[jhfozzy]

sleepezy said:

mygoldfishbowl said:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-ratcheting-w...

I have one of these type (albeit a different make) - it is quite possibly my favourite tool - once set, works perfectly

^^^ +1

I'm an auto sparky so I use mine most days. If you look out for the type with the small screw on the front to adjust the pressure it'll strip from the smallest auto wiring up to seven core trailer wire at a push.

[blueST]

Just a final update. I ended up with these strippers http://www.screwfix.com/p/c-k-automatic-wire-strip...

I've used them quite a lot wiring in some new LED work lights and they've faultless. Wish I'd bought a set years ago.

[Motor Surgeon]

My full time job is assessing and diagnosing vehicle electrical and electronic faults, in the modern vehicle that involves wires, lots of them.

I don't leave home without these bad boys

[AW10]

Been using a set of these for 20 years...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-G-Tool-Aid-WIRE-STRIPP...

[Nik da Greek]

I use these for automotive work. They might be a bit effete for industrial jobs, like

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/automatic-wi...

[EddyP]

Nik da Greek said:

I use these for automotive work. They might be a bit effete for industrial jobs, like

http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/automatic-wi...

These.

I've got a couple of pairs, love them. Have wired 3 cars with them, making the entire harness and wired two houses.
The only thing they struggle on is really big or really small cable, then it's a Stanley knife job.