DIY (Do It Yourself)

[Wayne2]

My wire stripper is crap. I'm tired of struggling with it. It's gotten to the point I use a cutter now to nip away at the insulation and then pull it off. Sometimes I use cloth pushback wire just because I don't want to deal. I don't want to live like this anymore.

Please recommend me the Cadillac of wire strippers. Money is no object. It doesn't need to do everything, just be the best for stuff like guitar, amp, and effect projects.

[DaveGrima]

Lol. i have a pair of needle-nose pliers with a built in wire stripping blade thingy. Once you get the hang of it its pretty easy to do. I guess this would be the Cadillac version of these. Titanium bonded. $122.
http://www.drillspot.com/products/16...FeGDQgodwScAPw

Or just get one of these.

[undergod12]

I too would be interested in people's recommendations.

[Belva]

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5f%2d202959086

[Mr.Grumpy]

Professional electricians and other tradesman prefer KLEIN tools. (they sell 'em at Home Depot too).

I prefer this style:


Over this style...


*edit* The "automatic" style strippers that Belva linked to work well also, but they are bulkier and more expensive generally than normal strippers. The convenience is nice if you have a lot of wires to strip, for what I do the shear-type strippers work fine.

[Jamesrad]

thats right, KLEIN for the president

[Wayne2]

Ok I've decided to get a Klein, but noticed that they have ones that say they're for solid wire (11047), stranded wire (11046), and ones that can handle both (11057). They also have all different ranges gauges of wire they cut. I'm leaning towards the 11046 just because the range of 16-26 AWG matches what I do most, and stranded wire is what gives me the most trouble.

Does anyone have any experience trying to strip a solid wire with the stranded tool. Am I likely to cause the universe to end?

[Mr.Grumpy]

Does anyone have any experience trying to strip a solid wire with the stranded tool. Am I likely to cause the universe to end?

The tools are the same, the difference is in the sizing. Stranded wire will be slightly thicker than the same guage (AWG) of solid wire. If you're nicking off strands when stripping stranded wire, move up to the next size hole.

[thatsbunk]

[QUOTE=Mr.Grumpy;47204223]Professional electricians and other tradesman prefer KLEIN tools. (they sell 'em at Home Depot too).

I prefer this style:



This is what you need...

[Wayne2]

Cool. Thanks guys. I'll let you know how it works out.

[2manband]

Klein makes an automatic wire stripper too. These things are SOOOOOOOOOO quick and convenient.

http://www.sears.com/klein-tools-409...-SPM1994142901

[Elder Things]

Seriously. I'll reach for these or my 1" pocket knife almost every time.

[AaronF]

I'll echo the sentiment of really liking the ones that have the stripper above the fulcrum. Also, pocket knives are the next best thing.

[Scrubby]

I've always used the type with the cutting blade closer to the handle. i.e. The red handled one.

If you hold it in your R/H and the wire in L/H thumb and 1st finger, you can lever the insulation off with the smaller fingers of the left hand.

Where as the long nose type means pulling both hands apart. Can be a safety thing.

2 cents.

[Bryan316]

Irwin Vise-Grips as posted above. I've converted a few electricians to this. Fast. Fastfastfast. So nice. Only thing it can't do is an instrument cable, which rolling under a razor blade takes care of easily.

[dahlungril]

I'm with Mr. Grumpy. I have that Klein set shown in the first picture of his post. They've been treating me well for 12 years, as an electrician,instrumentation installer, and hobbyist.

[Wayne2]

Thanks guys.  I just finished up trying out my new stripper and I have to say it's everything I'd hoped it would be and more.  I went with the Klein that does 16-26 AWG stranded because the stuff I bought for guitar wiring is 22 AWG stranded.  I also use some 18 AWG solid wire now and then.  It works fine on both.

[Trinath]

Thanks for the reply...