How do you strip small conductors (below #10)?

[peter d]

I always use T-strippers. I will occasionally use lineman's pliers if my strippers are not available at the moment.

As the saying goes, you repeat what you were taught. I was taught to use strippers and that's what works the best for me.

 

[Minuteman]

I believe in using the right tool for the job, so I use strippers. I can't say that I have never used my lineman's or dikes to strip with, but I can say that I have also seen the wire accidentally cut or severely nicked.

I don't hammer very much with my lineman's either. I know guys who have beaten theirs to death. Of course, I have lost several pair over the years, so, who knows what shape my lineman's would be in if I still had my first pair?

 

[iwire]

What is a 'small' conductor?

24 AWG? No need to strip

18 AWG? Linemens

14 AWG? Linemens

8 AWG? Utility Knife or linemens

1 AWG? Utility Knife

 

[infinity]

I'm with Bob, my first thought when I read the poll was define 'small conductors'. I will use wire strippers up to #10 AWG and a utility knife for sizes larger than that.

 

[JES2727]

I also use wire strippers. As a side note, I'm especially fond of the kind with the curved handle.

John

 

[GUNNING]

Strippers, I like the ones with the long handles and threaded screw shear on them for shortening those pesky 2 inch #6's or #8's to 1 1/4 in.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

I'm with Trevor and Gunning.

 

[peter d]

Small conductors-anything below #10. For these sizes I think the T-strippers work the best.

Anything above #10 I use a utility knife. Nothing else works as well as a nice sharp razor blade on THHN/THWN insulation. 8)

 

[charlie b]

When I put together my wife's model train layout, I used my teeth to strip the (I guess) #22 wires. :shock: I suppose I would not make it as an electrician. I'd have to learn how to strip 500 MCM without using my teeth. :lol: :lol:

 

[peter d]

When I put together my wife's model train layout, I used my teeth to strip the (I guess) #22 wires. :shock:

I was going to put "teeth" as one of the choices, but then I realized it would turn the survey into a joke. :lol:

 

[raider1]

I don't know if anybody else likes the electricians scissors


But I have found that they work really well on phone wire and other small conductors. I takes a little while to get use to using them, but its less painful then using your teeth. I know that from experience, chipped tooth. :shock:

Chris

 

[celtic]

It really depends on what I'm doing....
....if I am roughing in a dwelling unit - linemans for AC/MC

Klein D2000-9NE


and strippers for Romex

Klein 1412



...if I am finishing/trimming a dwelling - 1412's


...if I am doing tele/data - scissors and knife (coax is another tool)
Klein scissors/knife kit #46037

...which also comes in handy for MV cable splicing.

Once we get over say a #8, a knife...I have so many, I don't have a favorite , the fav right now is this one from Sear's:

..got it for $10 @ Sears.
Works real well sharpening pencils...LOL...which is what I am doing mostly right now (desk/office work)

 

[JohnE]

For solid conductors, always use linesman's. For large quantity of stranded use strippers, but for a few will just use linesman's. For larger conductors use old fashioned jack knife (also use this exclusively for romex.) For really large conductors use hook blade knife graciously donated by N-Grid.

 

[77401]

I Never ever use Linesman pliers for stripping. I learned that method as an Apprentice in the Local. It was a lazy method used by macho guys proving they only need to carry 3 tools to be good.
Well... I Need 4 tools to be good.
Linesman pliers are not recommended for stripping insulation. Plain & simple!
Use the T stripper & be the professional you are supposed to be!

 

[jeff43222]

For anything larger than #10, I have a nifty device that cuts around the wire without going too deep. It has a guard to limit the depth of the cut. I just used it yesterday on some #6 Cu.

 

[izak]

one of my working partners uses linemens and or dikes to strip solid #12

one time we got done with a job, turned on the circuit, flipped the switches, and nothing worked.
i crawled back up into the attic, opened the jbox he spliced in, and found the wires he stripped with the IMPROPER TOOL had broken when he tied the joint. exactly where the insulation had been removed..

my father once worked for a company that handed out a new pair of t-strippers once a month. about the time you could start seeing a little score mark on the wire, they gave you a new set.

 

[brian wisemiller]

why anyone would use linemans pliers to strip wire is beyond me. especially solid wire. they nick the wire around the circumference and weaken the wire. only wire strippers or a knife are acceptable.

 

[brian wisemiller]

they do make t strippers for #14 and above. i have a pair. real handy.

 

[mulllet]

For the tiny stuff such as phone wire, old twin lead ect, I use my zippo.
Just heat and pulloff with fingernail.

 

[JohnE]

why anyone would use linemans pliers to strip wire is beyond me. especially solid wire. they nick the wire around the circumference and weaken the wire. only wire strippers or a knife are acceptable.

Please speak for yourself. I strip solid 14, 12, and 10 with linesman's. I can priomise you that conductors are never nicked. I'd invite you to spend a day with me to prove me wrong.