wire strippers

[3lectronerd]

which one is the better wire stripper? the Klein Tools or the Irwin Vise Grip?
I want to buy the best wire stripper for work, looking for the one with the best durability and precision
and what wire strippers do you pros use? hit me with your recos!

 

[Kn0x]

I’d go Klein. they know their sh1t. I personally don’t use the strippers with all the added extras, I like the simple Klein wire strippers but as a pro I carry dedicated tools such as a crimp tool too, though

 

[PGB1]

My Favorite Wire Stripper?

 

[PGB1]

As Kn0x wrote above, Kelin makes good wire strippers. They stay sharp quite a long time. Greenlee also makes good strippers, but Klein's easy-to-spot yellow handles make them my favorite. I use the type shown below for #12 & under. When they go dull, it takes a few seconds to sharpen by dragging across a stone.

For over #12, I use a plain, old fashioned hook knife for stripping.

I do not like the crimp notches built into wire strippers. They're not wide enough and only grab a bit of barrel.
For #10 and below crimp connectors, I have the non-ratcheting T&B Stak-On tools. Just the plain ones. But, sometimes I use the crimp notch built into my linesman pliers.

(I do stick with T&B and Greenlee for my large and my hydraulic crimp tools for various sizes up to 2,000 mcm.)

 

[cream5oda]

When they go dull, it takes a few seconds to sharpen by dragging across a stone.

I didn't realize you could sharpen wire strippers with a stone! I usually just tossed them once they got dull. Does that work on the Klein's without messing up the gauge specific sizing of the holes? That would definitely save me some money in the long run.

 

[PGB1]

Does that work on the Klein's without messing up the gauge specific sizing of the holes?

Good question Cream5oda.
I don't know if it'll work, on the ones with the wire size holes. I don't use that type. No matter what one I've tried, they always seem to rip strands off of 19-strand, such as thhn, mtw or thwn. (Except I do have one to use the handy tapped screw shortening holes. Beats cutting diagonally with linesman pliers and fumbling to fix the threads while forcing the screw into the box's hole.)

I also remove the gauge setting thing on the yellow ones shown in #4. I guess I'm a "do it by feel" person. (Old fashioned that I am...)

For sharpening the yellow ones in #4, I open them wide and drag the flat (inside) faces along the stone. I use a couple of strippers that are probably 30 years old by now. They've stripped a lot of ends & seen the stone many times.

Paul