Recommend a wire stripper

April 13, 2023 6:56 PM

I'd like to buy a wire stripper for hobbyist electronics use. Is there a model you use frequently and would recommend?
posted by mr_bovis to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (15 answers total)

What's your price-range? What range of wire sizes do you want to strip?

There's a lot of variants out there. I have other tools from Engineer (a Japanese manufacturer that maybe has a bit of an enthusiast cult) and the PA-14 or PA0-07 might do what you want. Of course, most DIY electronics hook-up wire is around the 22-24 gauge range, but sometimes you need to strip thicker wire, so you might end up wanting both, or another set that's more centered on that range. There's also automatic strippers like this Knipex or this knockoff.
posted by Alterscape at 7:23 PM on April 13, 2023

For work around the house, I really like the Klein strippers I have.
posted by Dip Flash at 7:37 PM on April 13, 2023

Response by poster: I own a pair of these, a $5 tool from the auto parts store, and they're the worst tool I've ever had the displeasure to use. The bolt in the center comes loose every time you pull it closed. Then the holes for each wire gauge don't line up correctly.

@Alterscape:

I guess I'd prefer not to pay more than $30. If it's a tool that will last me forever, and you can convince me the investment is good, I'd consider something more expensive.

The non-automatic strippers seem fine in principle. They're slender, so easier to pack away and potentially easier to get into tight spaces if necessary. The automatic Knipex it gets good reviews on Amazon, but I don't know if that style is worth it. Is it a nice-to-have, or a change-my-whole-world experience? Is the VCELINK knockoff any good?

I don't usually work with anything smaller than 22 gauge. It could be nice to be prepared for something smaller, and as large as 10 gauge, if the tool is right.

@Dip Flash:

What style/model Kleins do you use?
posted by mr_bovis at 7:55 PM on April 13, 2023 [1 favorite]

I had never heard of Knipex as the original, but as for its knockoffs get a recommendation for a specific model. I have had one of those that worked beautifully until I lost it, and another that either cut the wire rather then stripping it or lost grip on the insulation and did nothing. It was theoretically adjustable, but I could never get it dialled in and eventually gave up on it.

Big box stores carry the simpler 'close jaws to cut the insulation' ones - I think I have the commercial electric one, I would assume Klein is a bit upscale in the same vein. They're good enough, and you can use them for electronics work (I usually do), but the fancier tools are better suited to the job.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 7:55 PM on April 13, 2023

I second the Klein automatic stripper.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 7:57 PM on April 13, 2023

I have these. They work great for my needs, but like the comments just above note, there are definitely fancier options.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:02 PM on April 13, 2023

My favorite strippers. Good strippers, has a cutter. Especially good crimper (hard to find on cheap crimpers). A bit pricy, but really good and will last forever.
posted by H21 at 8:46 PM on April 13, 2023

I have a 21-year old version of the Klein automatic stripper. Definitely the best I've ever used.
posted by miscbuff at 8:47 PM on April 13, 2023

A lot of the strippers being recommended here are more for domestic electrical or automotive use. For electronics work you really need one of the Klein-type ones, as they work better for small wire diameters. The self-adjusting features means you can just pick up a random piece of wire and strip it, without having to choose or set a diameter. There are many cheap versions of this type of stripper; I have a generic one I bought 25 years ago, and it's still working fine.
posted by pipeski at 4:59 AM on April 14, 2023

It’s not overstating things to say that the Klein changed my life. (For the better)
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 5:47 AM on April 14, 2023

I use the Jonard JIC-1626, not because it's particularly great, but because it has yellow handles so I haven't lost it yet. I'd class it as "good enough that I don't have to think of getting a better one". Like most of them, it's pretty terrible on silicone insulation and actually entirely terrible on Kynar.

Some of the knock-off automatics can be really bad. I've deliberately lost a few that were completely useless.
posted by scruss at 6:54 AM on April 14, 2023

Here's a search result for wire strippers, from Cool Tools a site I recommend for tool info of many kinds. Kevin Kelley has been writing about tools since pre-Internet days (Co-Evolution Quarterly, Whole Earth Review) and Mark Fraunfelder has been involved with the maker culture, Make magazine, and Boing Boing. There are other great contributors but those are the two I remember right now
posted by TimHare at 9:55 AM on April 14, 2023

A bit above your budget: Pressmaster EMBLA VBC (the EMBLA with the blue cartridge/V-blade). I bought it to stripe Teflon insulated wire but now reach for it 1st. The Greenlee Kwik Stripper® looks to be the same body but is only offered with the 2-blade jaw (it works fine but the V-blade works better).

The tools is surprisingly light to the point I worried when I first got it... since, I've learned not to worry.

btw, I like my Klein tools too.
posted by tinker at 10:21 AM on April 14, 2023

- if I'm just stripping a wire or three, I use the knife on my Leatherman, because it's always on my belt and I don't have to go back and find something else (assuming you keep your knife reasonably sharp, you'll quickly get the hang of rolling a wire down the blade to strip it)
- if I'm doing a major electrical project, the Klein auto strippers are essential
- but if you're doing any crimping of those dumb connectors, get something that has good crimpers built in

I know electricians who don't care for the auto strippers. There's definitely some personal preference.
posted by booooooze at 5:55 AM on April 16, 2023

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and product links.
posted by mr_bovis at 8:43 AM on April 17, 2023