Techniques on Stripping Wire - Awesome Tools to Help Electricians
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- Опубліковано 17 лип 2024
- Have you ever wondered "What is the correct way to strip wire?" With so many options of tools available on the market today to cover this task, in addition to the multitude of different techniques to use, the options are almost endless! In this episode, Dustin explores several hand wire strippers as well as discussing proper techniques to make the task much easier for an electrician to understand.
00:11 - Intro
01:45 - For #8 wire
01:57 - Klein Curve HD
02:30 - Klein Needle Nose Combination pliers
02:38 - Milwaukee Stripping Pliers
03:20 - Example of use
03:40 - The Angle approach
05:17 - The Left handed assist
06:23 - The way I bend hooks
07:55 - The Milwaukee M18 Stripper
09:20 - Stripping large conductors by hand
10:05 - Use of the M18 Stripper
12:10 - Sponsor message
12:30 - The End.
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With hand powered wire strippers being one of the more common tools us electricians carry and use on a daily basis, it makes sense to pick one that suits the individual's style, size, etc. A smaller pair tends to be a bit more nimble, but larger pairs tend to have more options and range of wire sizes. Ergonomics should also come into play when making your choice, as the average electrician will spend a vast amount of time stripping and making up wires. A small ergonomic pair of strippers ranging from 8-16 solid and 10-18 stranded that also have the capability to cut and thread 6-32 & 8-32 screws (as sometimes the screws to attach the device to the box are too long) are the best. As far as additional options, try some out to see if any are useful to you. Some are available with crimpers, some have built in reamers on the nose to ream smaller sizes of EMT, as well as needle-nose pliers with stripping holes in the jaws. There are even Hybrid pliers that combine the best parts of strippers, needle-nose and lineman type pliers into one tool!
In regards to technique, if you can remember and practice a few simple rules of thumb, you will master the art of wire stripping relatively quickly and easily! First, tilt your strippers toward you BEFORE you bite down on the insulation. THEN, while still biting down on the insulation, tip your strippers away from you creating a small gap in the insulation. Now, just use your thumb or finger to push the strippers away from you off the end of the wire! Done! Also, make sure to use the wire bending loop/hole on the strippers themselves and use your other hand to hold onto the wire being looped. This will result in a much cleaner and tighter loop that you can install around the screw of your device.
As with many tools in today's market, wire stripping has become something that you can do with a power tool. This powered option makes the process of stripping larger feeder type cables much quicker, easier, consistent and efficient. The Milwaukee 18v cordless wire stripper that Dustin tests here is capable of stripping 1/0 to 500 KCMIL and has a manual depth adjustment to set your strip length for up to 3 inches. This tool is awesome and will make the chore of stripping and installing feeder wires almost enjoyable!
If all else fails, you can just revert to the old school ways of doing things and use your razor knife to strip the cable. A couple simple ways of doing this. You can strip off a linear slice down the cable at the length you desire (making sure not to dig into the copper conductor), then run your knife around the cable (again ensuring you do not dig into the copper conductor) and pull off the insulation. Another variant of this would be to ring your knife around the conductor first, THEN slice horizontally. Either option has been the way we have stripped cable for years and continue to do so to this day!
#electrician #electrical #electricity
2nd year Apprentice. Your videos have been a huge resource for me. I was hoping you’d focus in on some of these techniques, and here we are. How about tips and tricks of cutting-in (aka ripping-out, aka cutting sheathing)? I’ve heard lots of opinions on the best way to do it, and I don’t like the way I was taught. Thanks so much for this channel.
I 2nd this as an option for a video. I de sheath all the time and interested in seeing how others do it and others techniques that it can be done
Cutting NM romex sheathing? Use a razor or a knife and slice long between the wires.
@@JustinL614 do you have any good way to strip u f wire ?
I highly recommend getting a good hawkbill hook knife like the klein with a replaceable blade for $20 or the milwaukee without a blade you can change for $10. With the hook knife you can ride sheathing super easy without knicking the wires like you can with a razor knife. If you take the romex cable coming into a single gang box for example, hold the cable at the end with one hand and a couple inches up insert the tip of the hook knife just under the plastic sheathing but not through the paper and you will ride that sheathing like butter and you will never go back to a razor knife for romex. It also works beautifully on SE cable as well. Also another pro tip if you ever run into cloth, "snake skin" romex and you find it difficult to strip. Hold the cable with one hand and rub the edge not the tip of your knife on the sheathing back and forth and you will see the cloth fall apart and it saves so much time.
@@tinorivera660 the best way I have found to strip UF cable is to leave it a little longer than you need. Then take you diagonal cutters and cut in individually at the end between the hot, ground and neutral. Then take two pliers and hold the hot for example and pull the neutral away from each other and the shrathing falls apart. And then repeat if necessary for the ground. Hope that helped!
I like how you go into detail with your methods and tricks AND give an explanation. Excellent teaching!
Glad it was helpful!
@@ElectricianU Nice techniques. Do you make pigtails for your hots and neutrals when daisy chaining receptacles or do you just connect each wire to the terminals? I prefer to always pigtail. That way down the road only one receptacle goes out instead of several if there is a problem in one box.
@@illestofdemall13 I was taught about 10 years ago to no longer use the terminals on a device to make connections. I have many failures in houses that used the stab in back to connect their devices. I always pigtail using wire nuts for the connections. That being said I do use the GFI type clamps to connect devices.
@@Sparkeycarp I still pigtail all line wires of GFCI and use the clamps to connect load side wires of GFCI. That way if the GFCI fails, only the load side devices will stop working. There could be power distributing from the box that feeds non GFCI protected devices. So if I have three boxes on the same circuit and a GFCI is going in each box, I'd pigtail each box. If I am going to use one GFCI to protect the other 2 receptacles then I'd use only the terminals.
@@Sparkeycarp Also, the push in back stabs are something I avoid.
You changed my life with I saw you cut at an angle before stripping the conductor.
Converting 20+ 4 bulb florescents to direct wire LED gave me plenty of practice.
I wanted to come back to this video to thank you for your stripping tips. Turning the cutters on an angle and cutting before stripping has saved me so much time since I saw your trick. Thank you!
I’m a 2nd year apprentice and your tips help me out a lot dude, thanks
How is it being a apprentice?
The knowledge of experience is always so important for those Not in the know. I've been doing electrical for years, your expertise is so helpful!
Gotta say one more thing, like how the studs are numbered👍🏻, great to be organized and have things CLEAN👍🏻👍🏻
I have the 12 volt version of the cable stripper and I LOVE it. I also use the milwaukke 7 in 1 pliers because the nose is wide enough to twist wires together for pigtails and reaming 1/2 inch emt.
Thank you for showing multiple ways of making hooks and tips for how to do it, you rock man!
I picked up on how you cut with strippers at an angle and flick it up to get it started way back when you only had a couple videos. I think you mentioned it in your video for a receptacle or 3 way switch. That has been the most useful trick. I then noticed at trade school watching everybody struggle and tug on wires and fight with it. I cannot overstate how useful such a little bit of technique is thanks for sharing. Keep killing it bro!
Love the angle cut and twist tip!
You are great at teaching the how too's. I have been an electrician since 1982. Most of the time I just use my klines for stripping solid wire without doing any damage to the copper. But I will use my strippers for stranded wire. Thanks again for all you do.
Hey old timer, 1984 here.👍
Good video alot of helpful tips. I knew all this but had to learn it over time. This video teaches all I've learned about stripping in just minutes. The slant and twist method works great for me.
Another great video Dustin .
i’ve had the Milwaukee 6 in 1 pair that he shows in the video. i’ve used them near daily for about 2 years now and they’re still pretty sharp. definitely worth buying a pair if you need comfortable pair.
Nothing beat experience and to top it off having the right Tools.Excellent demonstration.E U
just put the tip in... ah, how wonderful! hahaha! Love it!
Also endless good learning material on this channel/page/site!
I started using your idea o f stripping and it's much more efficient than the straight on perpendicular cut. Thank s fr the tip!
Great tips. I'm lazy and tend to use automatic strippers... Picked up one of the Milwaukee needle nose stripper multi tools you used in the video recently. Your tip to tilt the tool is really helpful. I kinda hated manual strippers without that trick.
I've grown accustomed to the needle nose strippers, I like them a lot. I also got the 15 in 1 ratcheting screwdriver, and ik I thought it was just a gimmick at first, but its options are wider and they're stored in the base, unlike the og 11 in 1, where you have to flip and flip to find what you need.
I just switched to the 15 in 1 from the 11 in 1 (got it as a stocking stuffer from the wife) and I like it. The only down side is I use a 5/16 and 3/8 nut driver a lot for my job so I added the 7 in 1 to my bag also.
good tip! thanks!
Awesome content thank you for this 🙏 🙌
Godspeed Dustin, thank you!
Thanks, Excellent Teaching
I’m just a DYI guy, a 24 year truck driver, a wannabe electrician if I could start my career over. I love this guy channel!!!! So much information!!!!!
Glad Milwaukee is FOOKING with you . You're a good teacher !
BRO ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO N I LOVE HOW YOU SHARING UR KNOWLEDGE FOR OUR FUTURE SPARKIES. THAT MILWAUKEE WIRE STRIPPER I LOVE WAS WORKING WITH MY CO WORKER ON A SERVICE N HE IS A MILWAUKEE DUDE HE HAS THAT STRIPPER IT MADE STRIPPING THOSE 750 LIKE BUTTER I REMEMBER LIKE YOU SAID SCORING BY HAND WITH THE TRUSTY UTILITY KNIFE. KEEP THESE VIDEOS COMING I JUST LOVE OUR TRADE.
I've been using the Ideal Kinetic Reflex strippers with the curved handle for going on 19 years. When I first started doing electrical work, it was primarily service work on lighting in commercial spaces and couldn't always turn everything off. These strippers are perfect because the area where the pivot sits is completely covered in plastic and rubber and allows a spot for your thumb to press and strip without contacting any metal. If you haven't tried these, I recommend them. They're really the only ones I care for. Super light weight and comfortable for all day use
Love your videos
This is the stuff I live for over empty tool reviews or close-minded opinions. I like watching a seasoned electrician work so I can see their techniques. Seeing the tools is nice but how do you _use_ them? Show me your friggin craft! 👌
ive seen that milwaukee stripper and ive been drooling over it (among other tools) for a while now. but seeing as i work with wires over 10ga maybe once every 3 years, there is NOOOO way i could justify spending that much on it.
Good video, thanks 👍
Get you the knipex one! I love it!
Stripping method Gold!!
I just watched one of your videos that you were saying "keep as few tools on you as possible to save your back over time"...etc. Then I watch this and see you pull out 10 pairs of strippers LOL
I've used all these under a residential setting mainly and the one pair of hybrids that are the best imo are the black and grey handle klein hybrid players. Does 14-10 awg and strips super smooth and still has enough gnurl to splice multiple wires.
Very informative bro
Now i know the technique thanks 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Those KLEIN 'All Purpose' needle-nose with the stripping notches and crimper are my #1 for doing HVAC Service work.
Good Tools Dustin. Saludos desde Tijuana, BC, México
I love your content. A perfect mix of entertainment and education. You know what I want to see? I would love to see those trade war tik toks reactions. Bet others would too.
@1:00 Once I got those milwaukees about 5 years ago my life for ever changed. I still have them in my inspection set. Old faithfuls.
Great Job Nicely Done 😉👍🏽⚡️Happy New Year To You
Same to you!
Thanks
these vids are major ... can see you are enjoying making them too. major Education U
Thankyou sir
On 8, 6 and 4 I use a multi tool that originally is used for cat 5 cable but it has a adjustable blade as well as a multi blade configuration. The biggest I've ever used it on was a 10ga 4c cable
New tool pouches?! 😲
👍
I de sheath all the time and interested in seeing how others do it and others techniques that it can be done. If you can include this in a future video it'd be appreciated
3:06 my southwire combination strippers are like this MILW but it’s a 7 in 1 and are my fav, BUT, they only do 12 & 14 g….which when roughing out a house, what use for everything but panels, so are my go to.
Definitely will have to try those Milwaukee strippers, as been seeing a lot of lately and ppl seem to like.
Thx for vid and happy new year✌🏻
I love your camera views pov and 3rd person
Good view thanks
Sweet, free merch!
Embarrassed to say, I have been doing electrical work for ages, and the simplest things that you demonstrated in the first few minutes revealed that I waste more time stripping the wires for receptacles or switches than I imagined possible. 😂
Doing the slight things to make the insulation cut alone really helped. I’m left handed so perhaps the angle for the strippers works against me. I know scissors are prone to being something I usually use my right hand for to keep the cutting edge better aligned, never thought about wire strippers being the same.
Doing the strip and hook in one motion, that’s another no brainer issue. I hadn’t seen anyone do the hook with the holes in the tool, I generally stripped with the stripper and grabbed needle pliers to do the hook.
I should add I never did an apprenticeship with anyone, nor have I ever worked in a team of electricians. I learned entirely by myself when I started working (~1985)and went into the field via concert lighting and only after leaving that field late in the 90s and 10 yrs later reentered into electrical work when I started my handyman business focusing on electrical work.
Great content and I find a lot of very useful and interesting things to learn from you and others on the UA-cam channels
Yes they are made in the USA, in Sycamore Illinois. I bought a set after I seen them at an IEC trade show. Now they are my number 1 pair of strippers. I love the handles, hate the ends where loop holes are. They strip wire with ease when I use the slant and twist method is just smooth. The cutters are not so great. Takes some effort to cut 3 wires. The jaws are very nice. I recommend them.
Happy. New year bro
good points. I found over the years, that as one squeezes the stripper over the wire, if I then try to pull the insulation off as squeezing, it seems that it is harder to get it off. Instead after squeezing the pliers, I relax the grip a bit, so that the cutter is not holding on to any copper. Works much better for me.
I do that too, works great
Thanks for the bandsaw man !
Knipex 13 72 8 are my choice of stripper. They do run a bit long at 8", but they're soo sharp! They cut through mc like a hot knife through butter.
Great vids. I just looked through all your vids looking for a particular topic that’s been coming up on other channels that I would like to get some clarification on. It would be great if you can do a vid on as well. Older homes that have two wire conductors and two prong receptacle being replaced with gfci. Some vids out there are blatantly saying these older homes are not grounded so here’s how to add a gfci. They all seem very sketchy to me. I have an older home with the metallic wrapped romex and just like conduit the metallic wrap is the ground such as the conduit as long as there are not breaks in it. But however these vids explain how to install gfci recepticals work and work properly. I’m hoping you can shed some lite on the subject or maybe have a better way to explain it.
Legend
I have a pair of those Milwaukee 6 in 1s and they're really smooth and convenient.
Check out the Knipex version of that combo linemans/stripping tool Klein and Milwaukee make. The features are the same as the Milwaukee but with better "polish" with features like a hidden spring mechanism, less annoying latch, and a wire cutter shaped to pin larger conductors closer to the pivot point. It's hard to describe that cutter...it's shaped in such a way that you are slicing into the wire as you squeeze the handle but before the cutter is fully engaged. The result is you need to use less force when you cut big wires. And since the shear/cutter is rated for 1/2" wire you can also use it to strip that wire too.
Thank you for the tips and also thank you to send me your stickers Happy New Year
Thank you because I’ve been taking too long stripping wire and I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong
I’ve been an electrician for 22 years used Klein tools exclusively until I saw the same strippers said I’ll give them a try and man was I surprised they are the best I’ve ever used and they cut wire so easy you don’t have to believe me just give them a try you won’t be disappointed
What strippers are you talking about ? I’m currently using some Klein strippers
Those are awesome 6-1 Milwaukee
Great videos. I grew up as an electrician's "apprentice" since probably age 9 and didn't get into the trades. I still help dad with projects on occasion so I like knowing what I'm doing. I think dad got his license around '72 and as long as I can remember he has had a 3 bladed Klein electrician's pocket knife that he uses for stripping large wire. One blade has a slight curve to it that he runs around the wire then you start at the score and run it down the wire. It is quick and no need for tugging the insulation off.
I'm old school and love my knife flat-head screwdriver and a pair of pliers
Bro, listening to this while I’m working without being able to watch what is going on is hilarious!
In the uk we just use pliers or side cutters but for bigger cable from 10mm-25mm we use cable croppers
I was excited to buy that Milwaukee 6 in 1 stripper it literally bent/broke after my first time cutting a 12 awg wire :( I went and got the blue Klein linemen ones and I’ve liked them a lot
the steel Milwauke uses is not good for durability
I’m new to the trade and your tips have helped me a lot. Also what tool belt is that in the video?
I'm an refrigeration and commercial appliance tech and I love your videos, I am a little surprised you didn't show a pair of auto strippers. I have the klien ones and I love them, sure they take up more space in your bag but it is so nice when you are trying to strip wire in uncomfortable places. Maybe it is just me because I often find myself trying to strip wire bent over between 2 scalding hot ovens trying to not touch either of them or wedged inside an under counter refrigerator but I can't go back after making the switch.
While I like auto strippers, it's a great tool though limited to doing one thing well, stripping wire. The tools covered here are useful for so many other tasks. If you have limited tool belt space, which would you carry?
@@sunriseorsunset328 I'm an HVAC/R tech with limited space in my tool bag and I actually carry auto strippers with a separate pair of crimpers, not saying one is right or wrong but he showed single use tools in this so no reason not to bring up another useful tool for electrical work.
Hi, Dustin I was wondering what kind of tool bags you had on in this video, thank you
Anyone who using tools for a living understand the value tools and having a collection can be. Having the best tool for the job makes thing more enjoyable. Think of it as a race car. Sure the tool may not be the best for many uses but the best at one or two things and worth having in your garage to use when needed.
OK, you got me beat on how many different strippers you have. Sheesh, I thought I had a collection.
Good video. What about a follow up for different techniques to strip Romex without scoring the wires within?
You need a sharp blade and lightly score the romex not cut though it. And pull it off
Dustin, how about doing a video on replacing the guts of an older Homeline service panel with the guts of a new plug-on neutral Homeline panel with the same circuit/amperage?
Can you make a video about fitting electrical outlets in a multi gang wall plate and techniques to do it quickly and neatly? I just installed 2 outlets in a 2 gang box and took me forever to get the outlets to face forward without being crooked before putting the wall plate on
5:11 - I see a lot of cuts in those copper conductors with those methods.
I had some 18awg twisted 3-pair shielded, PITA to strip it was huge and lumpy around .5" in diameter, could not use a knife as I was nicking the foil pulling it off, the installation was in a conductive urethane cable entrance system that ideally worked with the foil and not the drain wire. I used a 2 in one multisize RGxx/CATx stripping tool worked like a charm, which was great because the tool was terrible for regular network cable 🤣🤣
I have the crocs also, not the Jr's that do #8, but the full size ones that un sheathe romex.
I've found the curved jaws of cable cutters make a pretty decent scoring tool after some practice.
The klien multi tool strippers also comes in a shear cut version wich cuts with way less efort tan the punch cut. Ive cut 3/0 with relative ease
Good info but I would have liked to see included the stripper that also removes the insulation in one movement. Don't know the name but it's jaws pull apart to separate the insulation. Very fast and accurate.
Klein Katapults, dunno an actual tool name, but the Klein brand is Katapults and they are incredible,
@@voltsnbolts8879 Also Irwin has a good automatic wire stripper. I like that kind because there are no holes for the wire so it just uses friction to pull it apart. Therefore you can't accidentally cut the conductor by using the wrong size hole.
I like the number #8 wire stripping option.
What brand is that?
GRID is such a cool program for milwaukee to do
Might seem silly-stupid, but few journeymen think of sharing these tips. Spares the fight!
Thanks!
Hey Dustin! 3rd year apprentice up in alberta Canada. Have you ever tried stripping 2 conductors at the same time? If I'm stripping 14/2 i use the 14 gauge stripper and put the second conductor in the 12 gauge spot. It's a little harder to strip but not significantly harder. I use the same klein heavy duty strippers you use in the video i like those the best. I started doing this about a year ago and use the technique all the time. I think it speeds things up quite a bit.
this
underrated comment
They also have automatic wire strippers very fast plus you can use it to cut the jacket off of 14-10
Crocs are the best. The grips slide over time but they are bar none in comfort when you get used the the hourglass.
I personally like the cheap Ideal wire strippers the best.
I love my milwaukee 7in 1 wire strippers, bigger cutting jaw, more variety of wire sizes you can strip. Plus they have the flat jaw like kliens
Yes, I use mine every day and I prefer them over any klein or knipex hybrids! I only wish the shears lasted longer, as mine have deformed some but it is probably user error
Saves time and knuckle busting, very nice tool, how much does it cost?
What bags are you using in the video?
What tools bags are you wearing?
how do you strip the outer sheath off of under ground or direct earth burial romex ---uf-b cable????
On 2/0 and 4/0 I use the small Rigid copper pipe cutting tool, it's small and does the job...
Great information.
Thank you.
p.S. We are using the same technic I use all the time.