Where can I find em'?

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jason

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4 way wire strippers? They look like a 4 way tire tool (but smaller of course) and strip wire of 4 different sizes. A guy from the local poco had a set and I was wondering where I can find em. I know you guys can help, always have. Thanks.

Sorry. I know this isnt about the NEC but didnt see a section for tools.
 
Just be advised when you buy your dies that you buy they for the gauge and the specific insulation type. The 4/0 XHHW die doesn't work so well on 4/0 THHN, for instance. If you use much service cable, this tool may frustrate you, since the actual OD of the conductors that are part of the cable assembly seems to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. I ended up getting maybe 11 different dies for my 4x4 plus stripper, and finally found 4 that I can keep in it to handle most things. Greenlee made a very similar tool years back that was just a single cutter head, but it was quick change. It came with maybe a dozen dies. I have one of those someplace if you want a model number or pictures. It was nicer, since you could "fine tune" the cutter blade with an allen wrench to get it dialed in nice.
 
Greenlee also used to make a model 1820 stripper. Came with several dies for various sire sizes.

I don't think they make them any more.

1820.jpg
 
480sparky said:
Greenlee also used to make a model 1820 stripper. Came with several dies for various sire sizes.

I don't think they make them any more.
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Yeah, that's the one I have, 480. Can't say as I every really used it much. Seemed like a good idea when I bought it. It would be the cat's ass for a panel builder, I think.
 
mdshunk said:
Yeah, that's the one I have, 480. Can't say as I every really used it much. Seemed like a good idea when I bought it. It would be the cat's ass for a panel builder, I think.
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What?!?!? No photo?!?!?!?!!? :D
 
I never even knew such a tool existed, so I have to ask. Is it better than using a plain ole razor knife to skin conductors?

I've noticed the linemen here use those big "sheep's foot" or "banana" knives for their stuff.
 
Peter, I think it's more of a labor savings thing. You can get a nice squared off cut with a 4x4, whereas the typical operation of the sheep's foot knife normally yeilds a penciled cut to the insulation termination.

Here's more pics of the Greenlee tool that they don't make anymore:

P1010216.jpg


P1010217.jpg
 
mdshunk said:
Peter, I think it's more of a labor savings thing. You can get a nice squared off cut with a 4x4, whereas the typical operation of the sheep's foot knife normally yeilds a penciled cut to the insulation termination.

Here's more pics of the Greenlee tool that they don't make anymore:
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Ahhhh...gotcha. Does this tool ring the conductor? If so, how does it not nick the metal?
 
peter d said:
Ahhhh...gotcha. Does this tool ring the conductor? If so, how does it not nick the metal?
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Hard to explain, but easy to see if you hold the tool in your hand. The 4x4 tool has a blade with each die that has a fixed, calibrated depth. The Greenlee tool has a spring loaded blade that is held at a fixed depth by the collar you put in the end for each type of wire. I don't have my 4x4 tool here at home, but I think I have a picture of it someplace. Let me hunt that up.

EDIT.... #9 in the pic is the 4x4 tool:

servicetools3.jpg
 
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I think both of them cut the insulation down in a spiral, so you don't end up with a perfectly flat (as measured around the wire) cut. Imagine opening up a tube of biscuits.
 
480sparky said:
Thanks, Marc! So does it work well, or don't you use it enough?​
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As you can tell from its nearly factory new condition, I hardly used it. It worked just fine, but I can skin a wire with a Stanley 99 nearly as fast. I guess that's why Greenlee hasn't sold these in 20 years.
 
480sparky said:
I think both of them cut the insulation down in a spiral, so you don't end up with a perfectly flat (as measured around the wire) cut. Imagine opening up a tube of biscuits.
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Good description. Just like a lathe cutter. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure the actual cutter in these tools is a specially ground lathe cutter.
 
mdshunk said:
Peter, I think it's more of a labor savings thing. You can get a nice squared off cut with a 4x4, whereas the typical operation of the sheep's foot knife normally yeilds a penciled cut to the insulation termination.
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I use a plain ol' box-cutter and ring the insulation first (without ringing the strands), for that "nice squared off cut" :)smile:) and then make a quick slice from the cut to the tip of the wire.

Then I pinch the insulation next to the slice with the pliers' side against the insulation, and twist the pliers like the key on a sardine can. Takes about 10 seconds start to finish.

Maybe I can shoot a quick video of me doing it some day soon.
 
mdshunk said:
servicetools3.jpg
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I'm guessing #6 is for when you want to microwave Kraft Easy Mac in the car?

And #10 must be for when you're drilling a hole in a vent stack for use as a wire chase. (nose plug)

480sparky said:
special.gif
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I believe the appropriate spelling is S P 3 S H U L (Due to the limitations of computer text I have used the numeral 3 as a placeholder for the backwards E)
 
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LarryFine said:
I use a plain ol' box-cutter and ring the insulation first (without ringing the strands), for that "nice squared off cut" :)smile:) and then make a quick slice from the cut to the tip of the wire.

Then I pinch the insulation next to the slice with the pliers' side against the insulation, and twist the pliers like the key on a sardine can. Takes about 10 seconds start to finish.
Click to expand...

Same here. Essencially score (shallow) the insulation - then slash (deep) length-wise - then peel.
 
peter d said:
Ahhhh...gotcha. Does this tool ring the conductor? If so, how does it not nick the metal?
Click to expand...

The one the guy from the poco used didnt nick the metal at all. It was a very nice, quick and smooth cut. I'm curious about the sizes needed now though. A poster above says a 4/0 might not work on some 4/0's.
 
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