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

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

  • "T" type strippers or equivalent

    Votes: 1 100.0%

  • Lineman pliers

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Pocket knife or electricians knife

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Combination of methods

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    1
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mulllet said:
For the tiny stuff such as phone wire, old twin lead ect, I use my zippo.
Just heat and pulloff with fingernail. :D
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They also make strippers for the small stuff; down to at least a 22.
 
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.
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I use linesman's pliers to strip Romex insulation and conductors in romex and MC, THHN solid. I was taught to use my linesman's for everything from Stripping wires to nailing staples where necessary and for pulling staples. I do not use my linesman's on any stranded wires above #10's

NEVER had any problems with nicking wires or weakening them in anyway. Its all in how you handle the tool, your not supposed to squeeze through to the wire, you score the insulation and then pull it apart, no need to even have your cutters contact the conductor. I have actually had more problems with stripers by accidentally using the wrong size wire in a cutting slot. If you put a 12 wire in a 14 striper and don't realize it you will weaken the wire. Learning to use linesman's correctly to strip wires speeds up the process allot, when I have a good amount of boxes to make up I wouldn't want to juggle tools.

I think many electricians have many different ways of doing things, all depends on how they were taught. 15yrs ago I was taught that about 80% of your basic practice can be completed with a screwdriver and pliers. First thing I do when I get to a service call is put my pliers and a screwdriver in my back pocket.

I use a tool box and no tool pouch, I frown against tool pouches, why carry 20 tools and use 3 of them. I do a lot of climbing around too so all my tools would constantly be failing out of a pouch.
 
brian wisemiller said:
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.
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I use linemens and I deify anyone to find marks on the conductors I strip.

To each their own but don't get up and say your way is the 'only acceptable way'. :roll:
 
brian wisemiller said:
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.
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I agree 100% with Bob.

I strip 10, 12, and 14 with Kleins. and I do not move them around the wire. One quick squeeze and push with the thumb, and it's done, with nary a mark on the wire.

If a wire is bigger, I squeeze, let go, move the pliers 1/3 of the way around, squeeze and let go, move them 1/3 around the other way, squeeze, then push.

If I have a small handfull of wires, I can strip them in less than one second per wire, and well.
 
Has anyone used blue point strippers? I have a pair for stranded #22- #10 and a pair for solid #22-#10 wire they are the best strippers in the world and they are warranted for life. I can out strip anyone with them and never damage a wire. oh I haven't had a pair of linemans in my pouch for about 3 years now.
 
bikeindy said:
I can out strip anyone with them and never damage a wire.
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Okay, strip!

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oh I haven't had a pair of linemans in my pouch for about 3 years now.
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You must be of the"why twist?" philosophy.

Besides, how do you drive staples and nails???
 
I twist alright I just use a tool that twists wire, and I own a hammer though it is the cheapest tool I own and carpenters often laugh at my hammer since I buy them from Ace for about $5. I seem to loose them and I know no one is stealing them. I learned to use the right tool for the job and that is what i try to do. teeth are better for eating but I have on occasion stripped wire with them. In the Air Force you didn't cut corners and I don't cut corners in the real world.
 
In the Air Force you didn't cut corners and I don't cut corners in the real world.
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So what your trying to say is that by using our linesmans to strip and twist wire is cutting corners, you may want to take a step down off of the horse of yours.

I have never in my life before right now ever heard of an electrician without linesmans. Thats like a plumber who doesn't own a plunger.
 
So what your trying to say is that by using our linesmans to strip and twist wire is cutting corners, you may want to take a step down off of the horse of yours.
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No, I was thinking more about the hammering part, pretty abusive to a $20 tool. I had Linemans for a long time I just found that I never used them any more. I twist wire with a pair of twisters I find to be an easier tool to use. And as many have stated that they wouldn't use linemans to strip wire I don't either, since I am not as skilled as someone who can without damaging the wire. If I used them for that I would be spending a lot of time re-stripping wire due to the damage I would have caused it. I have other pliers that are useful to me in the way I used my Linemans so I gave them up. I think it is a preference. I don't think you have to have a pair of linemans to be an electrician, but wire strippers come in handy.
 
I think they are also blue point (snap on) the brand on mine has worn off. I purchased them at Ram Tool in Indy. Had to order them. the tool works like this: you clamp down on your wires and they lock like vice grips and there is a knob at the end with a twisted rod down the center. when you pull the knob the tool twists the wire. In the Air force we called them safety wire pliers. we took wire through the heads of bolts and twisted it (8 to 12 turns per inch by regs). then took the end and ran through the head of another bolt or to the frame and twisted again. this was so that the bolt could not vibrate out while the aircraft flew. The pliers come in different sizes. twisting grounds while making up boxes is a dream. when twisting four or more wires for a wire nut prep you need to strip a little long and snip the end but this is still at least twice as fast as twisting with linemans. these pliers will cost you about $80. I don't suggest hammering with them I use a $5 hammer from Ace for that.

 
bikeindy said:
In the Air force we called them safety wire pliers.
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That makes sense as they is what they where originally made for....remeber right tool for the job. :wink:

You are not honestly telling us that you use these on every 10, 12 and 14 AWG connection you make. :shock:

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If you are than IMO you are not using the right tool for the job. If you worked under me I would have to tell you to speed up a bit.

No I would not use a safety wire tool as a hammer, I will use my linesmens as a hammer without damage to them. 8)


You will never damage quality linesmens hammering staples or nails, they are softer then the tool.

Do not try to pound on a other tools (like a chisel) with your linesmens as they will do damage.
 
these pliers work well for me since I have been familiar with them for many years and can get the job done quickly. I think that linemans are a great tool I just made the statement that I don't use them anymore. If someone said they don't have a speedy driver for running screws anymore because it was better for them to use a 12V drill would you jump on them. I am methodical in my work it makes me personally more efficient. when I staple or nail my hammer is in my hand and I have no need for linemans to do that, whats the big deal?
 
I also say "to each their own."

If you can strip wire quickly and without damage with your linesmans, then go for it. :)

I use my linesman's occasionally, but I can work much faster with the T-strippers. It also puts less stress on my wrist by using a lighter tool, as I'd really like to avoid getting carpal tunnel syndrome. So, I guess my wrists are not as well excercised as George's are. :lol: :lol:
 
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