Wire stripper shopping

[Shunto]

I have a chassis punch from Greenlee.. if you take care of it it'll last forever.

 

[swathdiver]

I have gone back to the style as pictured in the first post by Stanley. Have used and wore out the foreign ones of this type and of the kind in post #5s upper photo that had the locking feature. Also have a very large pair for crimping 300 pound leaders (for fishing). When those are lost I grab one of the knives I've made or the Letherman.

 

[jbancs]

I've used these in addition to the ones you posted in the original post. These seem to work better for smaller AWG wires because there are two V shaped blades, so it cuts through the insulation in 4 points so it breaks less strands.

 

[05Single]

Forgot about this post lol.
I've used the basic ones for 15+ years and I'm surgical with them lol. Just thought I'd try and use one of the pro styles. looked easier, maybe not quicker, but I notice as I get older i take my time more with projects.... especially wiring.
Wished we had a harbor freight here, I miss that place.

 

[thindiesel]

SNAP-ON TOOL!!!!!!!!

 

[ScottyBoy]

Forgot about this post lol.
I've used the basic ones for 15+ years and I'm surgical with them lol. Just thought I'd try and use one of the pro styles. looked easier, maybe not quicker, but I notice as I get older i take my time more with projects.... especially wiring.
Wished we had a harbor freight here, I miss that place.

I actually own several different wire strippers, but I only posted a link to my favorite ones. If you are looking for a self adjusting stripper that will strip just about any wire from 22 gauge to 10 gauge by simply squeezing the trigger, then order a pair of the $13 wire strippers I posted a link to. I have owned a few similar pairs that were made cheaper and they broke very easily, but those yellow ones from Parts-express are a beast. They are seriously rock solid. But they do have their cons as well. I have trouble stripping some 10 gauge wire if the insulation is thicker, and anything else thicker than 10 I can't strip with those. I also found that on some really thin wires, the strippers actually yank copper strands out along with the insulation. I've noticed this especially on Japanese cars that I have installed alarms on with very thin wires. On those, I have to break out the old manual wire strippers that you actually need to fit the wire into the correct sized notch on the wire strippers. It does take a bit longer especially if you are doing 10-15 wires, but at least it doesn't end up damaging the thinner wires. I actually just bought another pair from Harbor Freight, the ones that @inmypassatlife posted. They are actually on sale right now for three bucks!
They are definitely worth $5 when they aren't on sale. I like them a lot. And I especially like that you don't have to open the handle up and reach it OVER the wire like the ones in your first post. I hate having to do that with my combination stripper crimper tool that I have. But I also like my automatic adjusting strippers as well, they each have their place.

 

[05Single]

SNAP-ON TOOL!!!!!!!!

I'm not a paid mechanic. So in no way could that price be justified lol.

 

[05Single]

I actually own several different wire strippers, but I only posted a link to my favorite ones. If you are looking for a self adjusting stripper that will strip just about any wire from 22 gauge to 10 gauge by simply squeezing the trigger, then order a pair of the $13 wire strippers I posted a link to. I have owned a few similar pairs that were made cheaper and they broke very easily, but those yellow ones from Parts-express are a beast. They are seriously rock solid. But they do have their cons as well. I have trouble stripping some 10 gauge wire if the insulation is thicker, and anything else thicker than 10 I can't strip with those. I also found that on some really thin wires, the strippers actually yank copper strands out along with the insulation. I've noticed this especially on Japanese cars that I have installed alarms on with very thin wires. On those, I have to break out the old manual wire strippers that you actually need to fit the wire into the correct sized notch on the wire strippers. It does take a bit longer especially if you are doing 10-15 wires, but at least it doesn't end up damaging the thinner wires. I actually just bought another pair from Harbor Freight, the ones that @inmypassatlife posted. They are actually on sale right now for three bucks!
They are definitely worth $5 when they aren't on sale. I like them a lot. And I especially like that you don't have to open the handle up and reach it OVER the wire like the ones in your first post. I hate having to do that with my combination stripper crimper tool that I have. But I also like my automatic adjusting strippers as well, they each have their place.

I'll probably get those.
I also have a couple sets of the reverse style strippers like these. Come in handy in tight spots

 

[smcnair]

Klein. They will last longer than it takes to lose them. I do a lot of electrical work in houses, boats and cars and I have about five pairs of them. Cheaper ones will dull on the gauge you use the most.

 

[NathanJax]

I got these Jan 23rd. Already used them a bunch with no issues...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JO6UB7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I got these Jan 23rd. Already used them a bunch with no issues...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JO6UB7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just like that they are obviously professional manufacture.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I got these Jan 23rd. Already used them a bunch with no issues...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JO6UB7W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those look like a knock off of the ones that I have. I have two pairs of them. One was purchased off the MAC tools truck, then I purchased another from Parts-express. The one from Parts-express is EXACTLY the same, except it has an adjustable gauge on it to set the stripped legnth. The one from Parts-express.com is only $13 too. I paid $40 for the one off the tool truck.
No clue how reliable the ones are that you have, but I can tell you that mine are a beast. I have had these since around 1999 or 2000 and they still work GREAT!!

 

[NathanJax]

Those look like a knock off of the ones that I have. I have two pairs of them. One was purchased off the MAC tools truck

Yup. My friend has the MAC ones that look EXACTLY like them that he paid $40+ for.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Yup. My friend has the MAC ones that look EXACTLY like them that he paid $40+ for.

That's EXACTLY what I paid for them. Then I saw the ones at Parts-Express for $13 and I felt played. I ordered them thinking that they might not actually be the real deal, but they are. Here's the MAC version on the left, PE version on the right. The blue paint is a slightly different color, and the MAC version says "Tool Aid" on it. The MAC version also don't have the legnth adjustment slider on the jaws, although it's set up for it. It has the measurements on it and the holes in place where the slider rivets on to the the PE version.

MAC on the left, Parts-Express on the right. Keep in mind that both of these are at LEAST 18-19 years old.

 

[inmypassatlife]

You need to get probed @05Single

Power probed! I just had my 8 year old model die, but these are a good alternative
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LHLSBB/ref=sspa_mw_detail_3?psc=1

 

[iamdub]

That's EXACTLY what I paid for them. Then I saw the ones at Parts-Express for $13 and I felt played. I ordered them thinking that they might not actually be the real deal, but they are. Here's the MAC version on the left, PE version on the right. The blue paint is a slightly different color, and the MAC version says "Tool Aid" on it. The MAC version also don't have the legnth adjustment slider on the jaws, although it's set up for it. It has the measurements on it and the holes in place where the slider rivets on to the the PE version.

MAC on the left, Parts-Express on the right. Keep in mind that both of these are at LEAST 18-19 years old.
View attachment 191948 View attachment 191949

Damn, same patent number and all. I wonder if MAC removes the slider and offers it as some kind of $14.99 upgrade option.

 

[05Single]

You need to get probed @05Single

Power probed! I just had my 8 year old model die, but these are a good alternative
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LHLSBB/ref=sspa_mw_detail_3?psc=1

I do need to get probed , its been awhile...not since college. Also need one of those too for sure

 

[Tonyrodz]

I do need to get probed , its been awhile...not since college. Also need one of those too for sure

Ummm.....

 

[iamdub]

Ummm.....

Try to be open-minded. Gotta take what you can get in Alaska.

 

[05Single]

Try to be open-minded. Gotta take what you can get in Alaska.

Alaska, where the men are men , and the women are too (like that's an actual saying)

Fyi I imported my woman.