Stripping UF wire

[woofy]

This is not really a safety Issue but I didn't really know where to put it.
Every now and then I get a job on a farm where it seems all the wire is UF last week was one.
I've been using a utility knife with a lanolium (sp)
hook blade and it works passibly well.
There has to be a better way!!!

thanks........Mike

 

[bphgravity]

Re: Stripping UF wire

These work well. Ideal 45-235 UF strippers

 

[iwire]

Re: Stripping UF wire

I read a potato peeler works good but I have not tried it yet.

 

[charlie]

Re: Stripping UF wire

When I got out of the trade in 1980, NM cable rippers had just come out and now they have UF strippers. I was in the trade at the wrong time. I got to the point where I could use a sharp knife and "feel" how deep to cut on each side, then just cut the insulation away from the grounding conductor. I got to the point where I could strip UF just about as fast as NM. A few years back, I wired my deck and it took about five minutes each time and messing up the cable a few times and having to start over. Talk about losing a skill.

 

[templdl]

Re: Stripping UF wire

The importing thing that I have learned is to leave enough wire to allow for screwups otherwise it's the "I cut it of again and it's still too short."

 

[woofy]

Re: Stripping UF wire

Thanks for all your help. I did look up that ideal stripper.
Well maybe it is a saftey issue after all. I have three bandaids after last week. Thanks for your comments.
If you put the tip of the hook next to the conductor insulation the cutting edge is kept away from the insulation.
Don't cut towards your fingers

thanks again.....Mike

 

[physis]

Re: Stripping UF wire

I can't offer anything for stripping UF, I need advice as much as the next guy.

For stripping NM I only use side cutters and snip on both sides around the circumference of the cable and pull the sheathing off in one piece. No razors no insulation damage no need for extra in case it gets damaged. Unless it's hard to reach in the box it takes about 10 or 15 seconds, probably less. no ragged sheathing left either.

 

[midget]

Re: Stripping UF wire

Hmmm...that's a good idea with the NM. I've done a few jobs where stuff was so short, it took most of my time just trying to take off sheathing, since there wasn't anywhere near enough wire to mess up. Ugh...sometimes I Just don't know why people decide to leave such short wire to work with.

 

[ken987]

Re: Stripping UF wire

I like using two pliers one needle nose and side cutting, hold the wire at the very end near the cut with the needle nose and then grab the cable sheath, crushing it and rip it off then grap the end of the conductor and rip it out of the cable.
Repeat for each conductor.

 

[tkb]

Re: Stripping UF wire

I use the rip out method for stripping the UF.
2 pairs of pliers. Hold the end with one, and pull the wire out the side with the other.
This never damages the wires.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Re: Stripping UF wire

I agree with the "two plier method". It'll ding up about an inch of the end, the place grabbed to initiate the tear, but it sure works well.

 

[woofy]

Re: Stripping UF wire

Wow I did a bunch more UF yesterday, did the 2 pliers crush and rip. Had some 10/3w/g and 12/2 w/g
I turned ot the #10 was easier than the #12. I'm a cable rippin' fool now..........Or fool rippin cable.
Thanks for all the help. After the first time I thought.... Duhh why didn't you think about that.

thanks.......Mike