Wire stripper

For house wiring where the conductors are heavy gauge, and insulators quite brittle, probably quite OK.
But that model stripper would be hard on smaller, multistrand conductors.

In our workshop we use Duratool 608-369C-F which has jaws with various gauges that cut the insulator and slide it off without stressing the conductor. Good for finer work.

Trying to hide from entropy
John K

https://www.amazon.com/DURATOOL-608-369C-F-STRIPPER-PRECISIO

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 17, 2017 at 23:21:09
FenderLover	I like my old (bought last Century) Radio Shack simple stripper. Small and lightweight. Gets into cramp areas. As long as you use the right gauge, it won't nick the wire. 8^)

No doubt someone will claim it would be better if it was "Cryo'ed, posted on July 18, 2017 at 10:41:31
Edp Audiophile Posts: 4503 Joined: September 23, 1999	I have found the one JDK shows as my most handy one. Only real issue I've had if I need to strip bit longer than the "throw" of the tool. Doing it twice works but have had some wire strand loss with 2nd "throw".

RE: No doubt someone will claim it would be better if it was "Cryo'ed, posted on July 18, 2017 at 11:09:25
Coner Audiophile Posts: 3703 Location: S.W. Washington state, USA Joined: November 17, 2001	They cryo to harden tool steel...even clipper blades, so, yes it probably would be better.

RE: No doubt someone will claim it would be better if it was "Cryo'ed, posted on July 18, 2017 at 11:43:47
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	It could yield a cleaner / sharper cut and the tool (and its sharpness) will definitely last a lot longer.

+1, posted on July 18, 2017 at 12:16:39
Shaun E Audiophile Posts: 166 Location: Pacific Northwest Joined: June 1, 2003	I've used these for years and love them.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 18, 2017 at 15:08:21
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46291 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	I've used similar automatic wire strippers before and some of them are fine but be sure to choose one for your range of wire gauge. You don't need an 'electricians' wire stripper if you're working on audio equipment or other small circuits. I personally prefer cheap, simple, and always reliable for $10 or so:

That's what I use ..., posted on July 18, 2017 at 17:30:22
reelsmith. Audiophile Posts: 13133 Location: CT Joined: June 7, 2005 Contributor Since: January 19, 2010	I like those. The screw cutters have come in far more handy than I ever imagined. Dean. reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 18, 2017 at 19:34:31
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12548 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	Hi mate, Q1 - Would they be good for stripping 24g Cat5 strands ... particularly teflon-insulated strands? Q2 - I bought a cheap pair of strippers from Jaycar or Radio Parts a long time ago and stopped using it shortly after I bought it, as I kept breaking the conductor, when trying to strip it. Will this one do that - or is it more forgiving of the copper? Thanks, Andy

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 18, 2017 at 19:53:14

JDK
Audiophile

Posts: 19666
Location: Sydney
Joined: June 26, 2000

Hi Andy!
1/ Should be OK - just depends on the smallest gauge the stripper goes to - see this piccy shows the jaws - they would be great for teflon, most seem to go to 22g. So long as the model you get goes down to 24g.
Jaycar don't have them.
Element 14 or RS.
There is a metric Duratool one that goes down to 0.5mm - should do it.

2/ If you get the size of the conductor matched to hole in the jaws, the insulation will be cut 80%-90% through by the jaws, and the only stress is breaking the last 10%-20% of the teflon and sliding the cut bit off the end.

Trying to hide from entropy
John K

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 18, 2017 at 19:57:39
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12548 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	Great - thanks, John. I will get one ... or the Duratool. Regards, Andy

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 19, 2017 at 02:30:53
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12548 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	have ordered a Duratool, John. Goes down to 30g! Andy

This Is What I'd Recommend......., posted on July 19, 2017 at 07:20:29
Todd Krieger Audiophile Posts: 37333 Location: SW United States Joined: November 2, 2000	Unlike most "consumer" wire strippers, this one has a mechanism to grip both the wire and insulation, you just use the correct gauge slot/hole, squeeze the handle, the wire is stripped. ("Consumer" wire strippers grip just the insulation, you need to pull the wire.) The mechanism then releases the wire when you release the handle.

RE: That's what I use ..., posted on July 19, 2017 at 08:07:25
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46291 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	Ah yes, the screw cutter. That feature is so handy as I always have the right screws and nuts but they are rarely the right length.

Probably would just result in the handles breaking off., posted on July 19, 2017 at 13:14:24
Edp Audiophile Posts: 4503 Joined: September 23, 1999	Dunk in Cryo tank, handles get brittle, snap.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 19, 2017 at 15:03:35
JDK Audiophile Posts: 19666 Location: Sydney Joined: June 26, 2000	Should be good! Once you get the wrist action right, they are great. Trying to hide from entropy John K

RE: Probably would just result in the handles breaking off., posted on July 19, 2017 at 19:13:49
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	NOT if placed in a computer-controlled chamber, with a long descent, long soak, and long ramp-up, unless these tools are made with crappy pot metal. I've seen a variety of machine tools, cutting tools, and even razor blades before & after treatment over 20 years....NO PROBLEMS.

Thanks for the recommendation. [nt], posted on July 19, 2017 at 19:15:17
alan m. kafton Manufacturer Posts: 5285 Joined: April 7, 2000	.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 19, 2017 at 20:57:46
kh6idf Audiophile Posts: 1474 Location: Texas Joined: May 2, 2001	Beware of a product made by people who misspell "Quality".

But how would they sound?, posted on July 20, 2017 at 11:47:17
Edp Audiophile Posts: 4503 Joined: September 23, 1999	Cause we know that anything Cryo'ed is far superior to the normal manufactured unit without exception. Sheesh it was a joke, but seems humor is lost now days in audio.

RE: But how would they sound?, posted on July 20, 2017 at 14:54:41

alan m. kafton
Manufacturer

Posts: 5285
Joined: April 7, 2000

They would sound more "open". :--}

The rest....? I always like to put forth accurate information. There are different processes available with cryogenic treatment, some far better than others, and improperly done treatments cause some to paint the entire process with a bad brush. Ergo, my comments.

I appreciate a good joke, but couldn't tell that you were telling one.

I bought a very similar type, posted on July 20, 2017 at 16:07:16

andy_c
Audiophile

Posts: 1470
Joined: June 2, 2007

It's made by Irwin Vise-Grip (Amazon link). I've used quite a few different types of wire strippers, and these are the best by far. There is no nicking or breaking off of wire strands, and it's easy to control the length of the stripped-off portion in a precise way if needed for special-purpose connectors. It automatically adapts to the wire gauge you're using.

I highly recommend the Irwin, and they aren't very expensive for what you get.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on July 21, 2017 at 02:23:25

beach cruiser
Audiophile

Posts: 7060
Location: so cal
Joined: September 24, 2003

I have used a similar tool for many years, it is a good all around useful tool, and easy to use in that it sizes the wire automatically, grips both sides of the cut, and pulls off the insulation.

I only use it around the house for handyman type stuff, but it must be well accepted in the market place by the hard core users , because I have occasionally seen replacement jaws for these cutters in electronic parts stores, That would suggest pros are wearing parts out, or the store is even sleepier than it looks and stuff just hangs so the place doesn't look empty when they sell resisters and stuff.

"I appreciate a good joke, but couldn't tell that you were telling one"..., posted on July 23, 2017 at 10:31:06
Steve O Audiophile Posts: 12374 Location: SE MI Joined: September 6, 2001	...this is a problem in today's hi-end audio: there's no clear line of demarcation between the plausible and the absurd. Cryo is just one of many examples.

Pole Dancer, posted on August 3, 2017 at 11:56:36
Billy Wonka Audiophile Posts: 3765 Joined: April 25, 2013 Contributor Since: October 15, 2013	I prefer these to Wire Strippers.

RE: Wire stripper, posted on August 3, 2017 at 12:14:47

pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009

Thanks Abe. After reading all the input from forum members I decided the strippers you suggested are most suitable for my use. Their actually similar to what I already have but of better quality. They don't remove pieces of wire when stripping. Much more precise.

Thanks,
Pixelphoto

General Asylum

Wire stripper

108.210.70.243