IRWIN VISE-GRIP Multi-Tool Wire Stripper/Crimper/Cutter, 2078309, 8-inch

Product Information

A cable stripping tool can save you time and effort, especially if you’re wiring an entire house. I’ve once experimented comparing outlet installations using a pair of pliers versus electrician wire strippers. I found that an experienced worker can save at least one minute per wire or six minutes per outlet. Before deciding on which electric wire stripper you plan on buying, make sure to consider a few major factors like the type of stripper, the gauge sizes, and basic safety criteria. Type Gauged The adjustable wire stripper consists of a jaw with a blade set to the appropriate wire gauge. This is simple to use, but you must be aware of the setting you used, as it’s easy to forget and could cause you to cut the wire accidentally.

This Klein tools wire cutter and stripper combo can accommodate solid wires from 8 to 20 AWG and stranded wires from 10 to 22 AWG. It can also cleanly strip insulation up to an inch (25 mm) in length in one step. You don’t have to manually pull the wire to expose the conductor inside, as the tool will do that for you. The terms “wire” and “cable” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are actually different things that require different strippers, so before choosing a wire stripper, you need to know exactly what it is you’ll be stripping or cutting. Large cables require a different stripper than thin wires. Innovative designs: the business constantly strives to develop tools with modern and intelligent designs that meet evolving customer needs. From ergonomic handles to unique cutting edges, Irwin is dedicated to providing innovative solutions.

Most wire strippers have rubber coating over their handles to provide a comfortable, nonslip surface for all-day use without causing pain or discomfort. The higher the quality of the tool, however, the better the rubber used for these handles. In many cases, manufacturers use silicone, as it’s soft to the touch and less likely to slip off the end of the handles. If done correctly, you will get a cleanly stripped wire with no damage to the core. Stripping wires is a simple task as long as you have the correct tools to deal with it. How Much Wire Should I Strip Wire size refers to a wire’s diameter, which is often measured according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) measurement system. AWG sizes range from 0000 to 40. It can be confusing, because the thinner the wire, the larger the AWG number. Wire can be solid or stranded; the stranded wires have a larger diameter. The most common gauges of wire in residential settings are between 6 and 14 AWG, but you might be working with gauges outside of that range, depending on the jobs and setting involved. Make sure to select a wire stripper that can accommodate the wire sizes you’ll need, and keep in mind that wire strippers can have different gauge ranges for stripping, cutting, and crimping. Safety Criteria The easiest way for stripping wires is to use an automatic wire stripper. With this device, wire stripping becomes as easy as putting the wire in the stripper and pulling it. There’s no need to measure the gauge and the stripping length as it’s already determined by the tool itself. How Do You Strip Electrical Wire Some automatic strippers even include a length measurement device, like the Harbor Freight or Klein Automatic Wire Stripping Tool. It lets you set the length that will be stripped, so you no longer have to measure the wire you’re going to work on every time.

There are numerous types of cables. Some of the most commonly used cables in the typical home include: The tool itself has an 8-inch flexible spring and extended plastic grips, allowing you to increase the force applied without putting in more effort through leverage. It also has two-color non-slip TPR handles which make it easier to hold. These attributes allow you to reduce your hand and arm stress, letting you accomplish more. If you expect to do other tasks, like crimping and cutting wires, bolts, and screws, you should look for tools that offer these functionalities. There are several that include wire cutters and crimpers as part of the wire stripping tool. More than that, some heavy-duty wire strippers can also cut bolts and screws, so you should consider that as well. When wiring only one or two outlets, comfort might not be much of an issue when choosing a wire stripper. However, those with a full day of wiring ahead will want a comfortable set of strippers with nicely coated handles.It depends on the application of the strip that you’re going to do. A half-inch to three-quarter strip is typically more than enough if it’s for connecting a wire to a receptacle or a switch. However, if you’re going to splice two wires, a one-inch length of strip wire should suffice. Where to Buy Wire Strippers However, wire strippers that can handle burly 2- and 4-gauge wires won’t work for thin 22-gauge wires. Unless users are professional electricians, computer technicians, or tech hobbyists, they may never deal with wires on either end of this spectrum, so a good do-it-all set of strippers that works with wires typically encountered during a home repair or installation should suffice. In general, this would be between 10 and 18 gauge. As a general rule, a wire stripper that can handle 10- to 22-gauge will cover most basic household needs, and this is a very common range for these tools. However, if you’ll be working with wire that’s much smaller or larger than average, you’ll need a wire stripper designed to handle those gauges. The modestly priced Irwin Vise-Grip Multi-Tool Stripper includes handy features such as hardened cutting teeth and electrical screw shears. We were impressed by the number of functions on the Irwin wire stripper, especially because it comes at a very attractive price point. In addition to cutting and stripping wires from 10 to 22 gauge in size, this handy tool offers crimping ability, so we could securely attach terminal connectors to the ends of the wires we’d stripped. In addition, the Irwin wire stripper boasts serrated plier tips that we used to bend the wires’ ends to attach them to nut-type terminals.

One criterion I look for in the best self adjusting wire stripping tool is the maker’s guarantee on it. That’s why I recommend the Irwin Vise Grip Self Adjusting Stripper – it comes with a lifetime guarantee. This assurance gives me peace of mind that this tool will last me a lifetime and won’t break when I’m using it. The tool works on wires between 10 and 24 gauge. These strippers also feature built-in crimpers, which are color-coded to match the most common types of wire connectors. Those in the market for just one wiring tool that does it all should consider this self-adjusting Irwin model. PM: Electrical projects pose a particular safety hazard. What are the best safety practices to follow?Typical pliers without spring-loaded handles require a perfectly orchestrated finger grip for one-handed opening and closing. Most DIYers need time to develop that expertise. Greenlee’s wire stripper has spring-loaded handles to overcome this learning curve. We know pro electricians often choose nonspring-loaded wire cutters, but we prefer ones with springs. If you expect to strip many wires of varying gauges, I recommend getting an automatic wire stripper. This is a handy feature because you don’t have to manually set the wire gauge every time you’re going to cut. This limits the chances of an error causing you to damage the wire core accidentally. Finally, if I’m comparing different tools that do the same things, it will all boil down to which one is the more affordable product. Of course, I will still consider the brands, but as long I’m familiar with them, the cheaper price tag would most probably win me over. What Tool is Used to Strip Wire This is the ultimate handy wire stripper for me because it combines four tools into one: wire stripper, wire cutter, wire crimper, and pliers. It’s versatile enough because it’s designed to work with multiple wire sizes, from 10 to 22 AWG. And you can use the pliers at the tip for pulling and looping wire.