Wire stripper - nicking wire

[rstor22]

In the past I've used the following Klein wire strippers:

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/klein-kurve-wire-stripperscutters-solid-stranded/klein-kurve-wire-strippercutter-solid-and-stranded-wire

http://www.kleintools.com/catalog/klein-kurve-wire-stripperscutters-solid-stranded/klein-kurve-wire-strippercutter-solid-and-stranded-wire-0

I've noticed that sometimes I would need to use a lower gauge to prevent the wire for getting nicked. For example, when stripping 24 awg solid wire, I found that using the 22 or 20 awg setting works best. The 24 awg setting works sometimes however it is inconsistent and many times causes a nick in the wire. Have others also noticed this or am I doing something wrong? (I've tried to ensure that the wire is not being pulled at an angle)

I recently purchased these Irwin Self Adjusting wire strippers (similar design sold under different names):

http://www.irwin.com/tools/pliers-adjustable-wrenches/self-adjusting-wire-stripper

I found with the self adjusting wire stripper, the wire does not get nicked and I get perfect results consistently.

[Christopher]

I've found this type of stripper to be the best and quickest (for prototype work)

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/0663617/

[Balaur]

I must admit that it happens to me as well, even with rather good strippers.
My pet peeve is to see stranded wires with a few cut wires and the remaining going into the crimped connector. 

When I'm not particularly hurried, I go for a two-pass process. The first one is a simple nick using the correct size. Then, I pull the isolation in a second step, using the next, bigger, available size. It seems to work better.

[nanofrog]

The plier types you linked (Klein Kurve), are prone to nick or cut strands far more often IME. The latter type you linked from Irwin, and the set linked by Christopher, are referred to as automatics.

FWIW, I use a Pressmaster Embla, which is another automatic. The blade cartridges allow it to do more, which makes it more economical than separate strippers, particularly where Teflon or other hard insulations are concerned. No die nests to figure out either, so even easier to use. 

[zapta]

I don't pay attention to guage markings on the stripper,  I just start from a too wide opening and keep narrowing until it strips well, that is, the largest opening that strips that specific wire.

Also, I prefer strippers that have guage adjustments rather than having to choose the right size each time. That's because I typically work with one wire size at a time (solderless breadboard, wirewrap wire, etc).

Am very happy with these two

http://amzn.com/B00004T7WR    // for general wires, cheapo but works remarkably well

http://amzn.com/B005EXNWLM  // for thinner wires

For teflon I am using a Teledyne thermal wire stripper but the first one above should also work well.

[bobcat]

Solid and stranded wires have different O.D.
Stranded is slightly larger than solid.

[LabSpokane]

Get these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RFSWF8/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?pc_redir=T1

Actually look at the numbers on these they are correct.

[David_AVD]

I recently purchased these Irwin Self Adjusting wire strippers (similar design sold under different names):

http://www.irwin.com/tools/pliers-adjustable-wrenches/self-adjusting-wire-stripper

I found with the self adjusting wire stripper, the wire does not get nicked and I get perfect results consistently.

We have a few sets of those at work and the guys love them.

[coppice]

I recently purchased these Irwin Self Adjusting wire strippers (similar design sold under different names):

http://www.irwin.com/tools/pliers-adjustable-wrenches/self-adjusting-wire-stripper

I found with the self adjusting wire stripper, the wire does not get nicked and I get perfect results consistently.

I haven't used that model, but I have used various self-adjusting strippers. They usually work great on the first day, but go downhill rapidly. I have never seen anyone who works with wire day in and day out use a self-adjusting stripper.

[coppice]

I've found this type of stripper to be the best and quickest (for prototype work)

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/0663617/

This is the preferred tool of most people wiring electronics for a living.

[radiomog]

I use a TW-1 Stripall from Kinetics

it's thermal, no nicked wires

http://www.teledyneinterconnect.com/products/stripall/default.asp

[coppice]

I use a TW-1 Stripall from Kinetics

it's thermal, no nicked wires

http://www.teledyneinterconnect.com/products/stripall/default.asp

At first sight thermal strippers seem to have many advantages, and they used to be available as reasonably priced tools from the major soldering tool makers. They never really caught on, though. I wonder why? I've never used one, so I really don't know the answer.

[pickle9000]

In Canada electricians (Dave calls these guys sparkies) often use this type. Main reason is the screw/nut adjustment set and forget. When doing a few hundred wires in a row you only have to hit the one hole.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1PCS-ADJUSTABLE-WIRE-STRIPPERS-CUTTERS-5-inch-NEW-IN-BOX-Free-Shipping-/251589947975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a93edf247

[Electro Fan]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X4X23U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- Very effective and enjoyable to use, highly recommended (this is a set of 2 to cover various size wires)

[zapta]

I use a TW-1 Stripall from Kinetics

it's thermal, no nicked wires

http://www.teledyneinterconnect.com/products/stripall/default.asp

At first sight thermal strippers seem to have many advantages, and they used to be available as reasonably priced tools from the major soldering tool makers. They never really caught on, though. I wonder why? I've never used one, so I really don't know the answer.

Those teledyne thermal strippers have very long work life, All spare parts are available (e.g. spec-all) and teledyne actively support them. I got an old one on ebay for $20, purchased a spare part but it did not fit well (one of the two hands was longer than the other) so sent to Teledyne and they make it right for no charge. That's a great customer service.

[zapta]

My first ever wire stripper. I used to be good at it, stripping on the right side of the mouth. Self adjustable and no nicking what's so ever. Not doing it anymore though.

[Christopher]

Using my teeth on PTFE isn't good at all

[LabSpokane]

In Canada electricians (Dave calls these guys sparkies) often use this type. Main reason is the screw/nut adjustment set and forget. When doing a few hundred wires in a row you only have to hit the one hole.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1PCS-ADJUSTABLE-WIRE-STRIPPERS-CUTTERS-5-inch-NEW-IN-BOX-Free-Shipping-/251589947975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a93edf247

For >18ga solid core wire, ok, no problem. For finer gauge and stranded, those things are just wretched. It's difficult to impossible to properly strip a wire without damaging it. You might get lucky, but usually not.

[coppice]

My first ever wire stripper. I used to be good at it, stripping on the right side of the mouth. Self adjustable and no nicking what's so ever. Not doing it anymore though.

Teeth do work remarkably well, without nicking the wire at all. It seems like someone should try making a stripper from synthetic teeth.

[Balaur]

My first ever wire stripper. I used to be good at it, stripping on the right side of the mouth. Self adjustable and no nicking what's so ever. Not doing it anymore though.

I chipped a tooth like that. And at some point, I think I had a 50% chance of tasting mains. Yay! 

[pickle9000]

In Canada electricians (Dave calls these guys sparkies) often use this type. Main reason is the screw/nut adjustment set and forget. When doing a few hundred wires in a row you only have to hit the one hole.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1PCS-ADJUSTABLE-WIRE-STRIPPERS-CUTTERS-5-inch-NEW-IN-BOX-Free-Shipping-/251589947975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a93edf247

For >18ga solid core wire, ok, no problem. For finer gauge and stranded, those things are just wretched. It's difficult to impossible to properly strip a wire without damaging it. You might get lucky, but usually not.

14ga wire is minimum size here (in a wall), no argument though you are certainly correct.

I normally use my flush cutters. I place my index finger behind the pivot slide the wire in and pull.

I have everything listed here but unless I have 50 in a row my flush cutters end up doing the job. As for the others they all have their place. I like the tw-1 for really thin stuff, the self adjusting one is good on rubber wire and the one that cuts and spreads makes really square cuts in the insulation that looks good on a pcb.

[quarks]

I have never seen anyone who works with wire day in and day out use a self-adjusting stripper.

try Weidmüller Stripax, so far the very best "universal" stripper I used (and proofed very long lasting with daily heavy use).
But even with this great tool, you most likely will need some more other strippers. 

[Chris Jones]

I do like the Ideal Custom Stripmaster (subtly different from the not-custom one) but it is hideously expensive.

http://www.idealind.com/products/wire_processing/hand_tools/custom_stripmaster.jsp

It is the only thing I have that can strip PTFE wires perfectly without any risk of nicking the wire.

[Chris Jones]

The only way to be sure you will never nick the wire is to use thermal strippers. Unfortunately they are not cheap and generate some nasty smoke that needs to be extracted in the same way as solder fumes.

Yes, smoke from PTFE/Teflon is really nasty with hydrofluoric acid and worse (and will also kill birds - common due to non-stick frying pans), and smoke from PVC is said to contain dioxins, hydrochloric acid etc. I would want excellent fume extraction before using a thermal wire stripper on anything other than polyethylene or polypropylene.

Ideal custom stripmaster will not nick wires, but very expensive.

[briselec]

I've found this type of stripper to be the best and quickest (for prototype work)

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/0663617/

Occasionally I'll use a pair of these but most of the time I prefer using worn 7" sidecutters. They easily strip the insulation but because the cutting edges are fairly blunt they don't nick the strands.