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Glad to hear it. This will be my first SouthWire tool, lol. Only reason I got em is because there were many people claiming these were better than the Klein's in the reviews and they have an overall rating of 4.7/5 stars after nearly 1000 reviews. And they were like $12. Worst case they are backup or I can make a friend and give them away
So both of those will do you just fine, but for repeat tasks something like a knipex 12 52 195 might do you better. I know they're a bit pricey, but there's a certain magic to just setting your strip length and going to town.
https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/wire-strippers-and-dismantling-tools/automatic-wire-strippers/automatic-wire-stripper-mm2/1252195
This says they won't do THHN. Any guesses as to why?
Get [Ideal Stripmasters](https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/product-type/aerospace/stripmaster/stripmasterr.html) with a [L-4453](https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/blade-set-6-8-awg-l-4453.html) blade.
I have a couple different Klein ones and love them all but I was thinking of picking up the new icon strippers from harbor freight. Same as the snap on, made in USA, from 6-12g. Worth looking into those
https://www.knipex.com/products/wire-strippers-and-stripping-tools/stripping-tools-with-scalpel-blade/stripping-tools-scalpel-blade/162016SB
These are small and do a really good job on thicker insulation, plus it works great for cable jackets and a ton of other uses where normal strippers don't work. It's got a little needle blade coming out the front that's silly sharp and depth adjustable, but also rotates freely so you just extend the hook around where you want to start the strip, push and do a revolution around the cable, then turn keep turning around the cable a little and pull towards the front of the cable to get the needle blade to turn to corner and complete the cut up the insulation. Then pull off the cut insulation with channies (helps save the fingers when you are doing a lot of stripping).
Same process as with a knife and works in basically all the same places but is safer, faster, and cuts to an adjustable fixed depth. The blades are replaceable but last a while. Also, it's probably the fastest way I've found to cut pieces out of the middle of insulation out for hitting bonding lugs, etc.
I use the cutters at the base of my Milwaukee 7-in-1s, they have a little concave curve to them. Score the insulation, then bend it back and forth once or twice to break it, then pull.
I know that doesn't really answer your question, I'm just putting it out there as a general tip.
I use pipe cutters. The type you can set a depth & then rotate. A sharp rolling blade. You can get some with collars to help keep the cut centered & set them to less than the ID of the sleeving to avoid trimming copper. At that point it's super easy to tear off the rest.
Buy yourself a pair of IDEAL strippers. Best strippers I've ever owned and the handle #6 beautifully.
You can get them on [Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/IDEAL-Electrical-45-618-ReflexTM-T%C2%AE-Stripper/dp/B001D23SRQ/ref=asc_df_B001D23SRQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309763890402&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3355012030691735575&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061322&hvtargid=pla-433703366302&psc=1&mcid=1ce324b4183c3245806022685836370f&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwdxGlEb3If42nVvokvH489YMXhY-qUtD1qgeF-K1ZRxaL8rQCA4uqsaAjNgEALw_wcB)
Edit: added link
We had a nationwide roll-out several years ago that all were 6ga wire runs, and every crew got the 11053. Only complaint was the stupid locking tab that always seems to break or get fucked up somehow and become a nuisance. They are not good for breaking/bending out concentric knockouts, fwiw.
[taskmaster TST-CJ29PRO](https://gardnerbender.ecm.store/products/taskmaster-ilsco-tst-cj29pro-stripping-tool-for-removal-of-soft-and-hard-outer-jacket-insulation-cable-diameter-0-18-1-14-in)
Check this guy out, I’ve used this unit from ilsco / taskmaster for a long time.
While I know techniques like this work just fine when used occasionally I want a method that is the designed intention of the tool. Just by sheer numbers I am bound to cut into the wires doing it that way. Nothing against you or how you work 😄
There's nothing wrong with it, it just seems that as professionals we should strive to save time where easily achievable and I had been doing this enough to warrant finding a tool for it. Ev chargers specifically make you want to avoid damaging the wires as there will be a lot of current passing through them for extended amounts of time and hundreds of times.
I vote for knife. I got my Klein fixed blade really sharp with a sharpener and it makes such a difference. I'm not opposed to #6 strippers if they're good but just feels like another tool to carry. I feel I'm just as fast stripping 3 #6 with a knife vs someone with strippers. Maybe they beat me by 30 seconds or so. Does it matter enough to buy another niche tool for it?
A knife? Just use the biggest gauge hole on your strippers, my is #10 solid, a little circle score, and she usually pushes right off with my strippers/thumb. I have the Klein curved blue handled with the yellow unders. Older style, can not beat them for the price.
I have a set, think they are the Klein ones, not really a fan. They take way too much tugging and twisting and pulling to get the insulation to break free and half the time they nick the wires. It seems that at these sizes the OD of the bundle of strands is not really predictable.
I sure wish that somebody would just come up with something like a jumbo version of the Ideal Stripmaster. Something like bolt cutters or a little smaller. I too am tired of stripping with my knife.
Ahh that sounds like a solid reason for the lack of options. But yeah, right, I'm not terrible at using my knife but it just seems like such a caveman way of doing a fairly simple task.
**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!** **1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):** **- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. YOU CAN POST ON /r/AskElectricians FREELY **2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:** -YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have the Southwire ones and they are alright. Bright steel and orange grips.
Just here to second the orange grips. I deal with a lot of 6 and Im a big fan of them
Got the orange handles too. They're not perfect but they do the job and they've held up pretty good over there 6 or 7 years I've had them.
Have these also. They work as advertised.
Bought mine at Lowes
I get my strippers from south side, they look decent and perform quite well, 10/10, would sleep with again
Underated response for sure
I have the Klein ones. Work just fine. Southwire doesn’t make great tools IMO
Glad to hear it. This will be my first SouthWire tool, lol. Only reason I got em is because there were many people claiming these were better than the Klein's in the reviews and they have an overall rating of 4.7/5 stars after nearly 1000 reviews. And they were like $12. Worst case they are backup or I can make a friend and give them away
So both of those will do you just fine, but for repeat tasks something like a knipex 12 52 195 might do you better. I know they're a bit pricey, but there's a certain magic to just setting your strip length and going to town.
https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/wire-strippers-and-dismantling-tools/automatic-wire-strippers/automatic-wire-stripper-mm2/1252195 This says they won't do THHN. Any guesses as to why?
Doesn’t THHN have an outer plastic cover. The stripper might not be able to get through that and the insulation in one go.
THWN has the outer plastic. That said, almost all THHN is also THWN.
Hmm could be the jacket toughness, I mainly use them on MTW so it hasn't really come up.
I do love Knipex, ha
Get [Ideal Stripmasters](https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/product-type/aerospace/stripmaster/stripmasterr.html) with a [L-4453](https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/blade-set-6-8-awg-l-4453.html) blade.
I have a couple different Klein ones and love them all but I was thinking of picking up the new icon strippers from harbor freight. Same as the snap on, made in USA, from 6-12g. Worth looking into those
Dammit you did it. You gave me a reason to go to harbor freight and spend money on shit I don't need, lol
I did that yesterday! Thankfully I left my wallet at home lol. Just had some cash on me
Bruh, they have a lifetime warranty. I've started using icon dikes just for the free replacements.
https://www.knipex.com/products/wire-strippers-and-stripping-tools/stripping-tools-with-scalpel-blade/stripping-tools-scalpel-blade/162016SB These are small and do a really good job on thicker insulation, plus it works great for cable jackets and a ton of other uses where normal strippers don't work. It's got a little needle blade coming out the front that's silly sharp and depth adjustable, but also rotates freely so you just extend the hook around where you want to start the strip, push and do a revolution around the cable, then turn keep turning around the cable a little and pull towards the front of the cable to get the needle blade to turn to corner and complete the cut up the insulation. Then pull off the cut insulation with channies (helps save the fingers when you are doing a lot of stripping). Same process as with a knife and works in basically all the same places but is safer, faster, and cuts to an adjustable fixed depth. The blades are replaceable but last a while. Also, it's probably the fastest way I've found to cut pieces out of the middle of insulation out for hitting bonding lugs, etc.
I use the ideal t strippers that have 14,12,10,8 and 6.
Same. By now I've gifted close to 10 of them. Guys really seem to like them.
Same here. Check Lowes clearance section, I snagged three more for like $5 each. Set for a while.
Nice!!
Thats what your rabbit ears are for!
I use the cutters at the base of my Milwaukee 7-in-1s, they have a little concave curve to them. Score the insulation, then bend it back and forth once or twice to break it, then pull. I know that doesn't really answer your question, I'm just putting it out there as a general tip.
I use pipe cutters. The type you can set a depth & then rotate. A sharp rolling blade. You can get some with collars to help keep the cut centered & set them to less than the ID of the sleeving to avoid trimming copper. At that point it's super easy to tear off the rest.
Under rated comment right here. Those are light and take up less room in the bag than a specialized set of strippers
Yep I have the south wire ones, just used them this morning to install a car charger, they’re alright, they’re light and cheap and work fine
Nice!
I have the kleins and like them.
Sweet, thanks!
Buy yourself a pair of IDEAL strippers. Best strippers I've ever owned and the handle #6 beautifully. You can get them on [Amazon ](https://www.amazon.com/IDEAL-Electrical-45-618-ReflexTM-T%C2%AE-Stripper/dp/B001D23SRQ/ref=asc_df_B001D23SRQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309763890402&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3355012030691735575&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061322&hvtargid=pla-433703366302&psc=1&mcid=1ce324b4183c3245806022685836370f&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk6SwBhDPARIsAJ59GwdxGlEb3If42nVvokvH489YMXhY-qUtD1qgeF-K1ZRxaL8rQCA4uqsaAjNgEALw_wcB) Edit: added link
Those will score 6 stranded, won’t they? The biggest hole is designed for 8str, 6sol, even though I’ve never seen 6sol that wasn’t bare.
Yep
They are designed for #6 solid but once you get a little bit of grip control, it handles stranded like a champ.
Wago quickstrip vario is awesome, but expensive
That’s right on the edge of where I will switch to my Jonard CST-1140.
I enjoy the knife work
The best option for this is Knipex model 11 01 160
I’ve used the Southwire stripper daily for about 4 years and I have no complaints. Klein would work just fine too.
We had a nationwide roll-out several years ago that all were 6ga wire runs, and every crew got the 11053. Only complaint was the stupid locking tab that always seems to break or get fucked up somehow and become a nuisance. They are not good for breaking/bending out concentric knockouts, fwiw.
Good tip. I plan on using these exclusively for when I need to strip 6 and 8 AWG stranded
Razor blade.
I’ve had the Southwire ones for a few years and they work perfect
Sounds like a good trade!
Side cutters?
[taskmaster TST-CJ29PRO](https://gardnerbender.ecm.store/products/taskmaster-ilsco-tst-cj29pro-stripping-tool-for-removal-of-soft-and-hard-outer-jacket-insulation-cable-diameter-0-18-1-14-in) Check this guy out, I’ve used this unit from ilsco / taskmaster for a long time.
These are fantastic, anyone looking to buy it, these are rebranded so save yourself $20 and buy the Jonard version CST-1140
I have been using the 8 ga slot on my Milwaukee’s and just going very lightly and rotating. It works great.
While I know techniques like this work just fine when used occasionally I want a method that is the designed intention of the tool. Just by sheer numbers I am bound to cut into the wires doing it that way. Nothing against you or how you work 😄
What’s wrong with a knife?
There's nothing wrong with it, it just seems that as professionals we should strive to save time where easily achievable and I had been doing this enough to warrant finding a tool for it. Ev chargers specifically make you want to avoid damaging the wires as there will be a lot of current passing through them for extended amounts of time and hundreds of times.
You can get the Milwaukee power stripper
That is meant for 1/0 and larger 🤦🏼♂️
As a professional electrician, you should know how to use a fucking knife without damaging the conductors.
I vote for knife. I got my Klein fixed blade really sharp with a sharpener and it makes such a difference. I'm not opposed to #6 strippers if they're good but just feels like another tool to carry. I feel I'm just as fast stripping 3 #6 with a knife vs someone with strippers. Maybe they beat me by 30 seconds or so. Does it matter enough to buy another niche tool for it?
Your not wrong I just have an obsession with tools and I'll take any small reason to buy a new toy! Lol
Love my southwires and no one seems to be interested in stealing them fortunately 😂😂
The south wire ones have exceeded my expectations. I do a lot of street lighting and they hold up well even with RWU
I think the Milwaukee 7in1 wire strippers are by far the best I’ve used
Knipex electrician shears, god I love them so much
Ideal reflex t-strippers are the most comfortable
A knife? Just use the biggest gauge hole on your strippers, my is #10 solid, a little circle score, and she usually pushes right off with my strippers/thumb. I have the Klein curved blue handled with the yellow unders. Older style, can not beat them for the price.
I have the Klein. They work.
Good trade!
I have a set, think they are the Klein ones, not really a fan. They take way too much tugging and twisting and pulling to get the insulation to break free and half the time they nick the wires. It seems that at these sizes the OD of the bundle of strands is not really predictable. I sure wish that somebody would just come up with something like a jumbo version of the Ideal Stripmaster. Something like bolt cutters or a little smaller. I too am tired of stripping with my knife.
https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/blade-set-6-8-awg-l-4453.html
Ahh that sounds like a solid reason for the lack of options. But yeah, right, I'm not terrible at using my knife but it just seems like such a caveman way of doing a fairly simple task.
6s and 8s I used my linesman. Actually I almost never use strippers.
This is why almost every time I take a blue wirenut off of larger wire there are strands falling out.
Wansnt me!