Automatic Wire Strippers

[spi]

Anyone have good recommendations for wire clippers strippers that are effective at 20-24 awg wire? (and that don't break the bank)

For most, 22 or 24 awg seem to be the advertised limit, and from what I read they don't work well at the edge of their range.

I just bought this inexpensive one from Harbor Freight, and I tried it on the 20 awg stranded wire I'm using on my current project. I find it strips too aggressively, meaning it can't strip without taking some strands with it, which bothers me enough that I won't use it.

I've heard some good things about Knipix but the mechanism looks similar to this one.

 

[Erik S]

I think I’d call those auto wire strippers

I like auto strippers for automotive work or other applications where the wire lengths are long, but for pedals where I’m always trying to keep my wires as short as possible, they haven’t worked out for me.

Because the auto strippers need a section of wire to grip on they have a minimum length where they work. They’re also no good for working inside an enclosure where one end of your wire is already soldered.

Of the three main auto types I’ve seen, this type is my favorite:



I must have 20 pairs across all the types of wire stripping devices, and my favorite for pedal work has ended up being the cheapest and simplest.

 

[DDad]

I took a chance on these 'no-names', glad I did. Decades ago I had jobs wiring and soldering, and used many kinds of auto wire strippers. These are the best I have ever used. Comes with a way better crimper than I had. amazon link

 

[spi]

I took a chance on these 'no-names', glad I did. Decades ago I had jobs wiring and soldering, and used many kinds of auto wire strippers. These are the best I have ever used. Comes with a way better crimper than I had. amazon link

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I did see these getting good reviews (as well as a couple of similar looking no-names) when I was shopping around. I figured the harbor freight would be equivalent to all these.

And it works well with small wires?

 

[jwin615]

I'm with Eric S on the cheapies.
They have a stop on the handle that you have to setup. So best to set them for one -two sizes of wire and leave it. I mostly use solid core, which requires probably more precision because you have to cut 95% through ptfe or it won't come off the wire. Also, you don't want to knock solid core because it creates a weak point that happens to be where you tend to bend it.
I use mine on 20 and 22 gauge. Firm squeeze plus 45 degree twist for 20 gauge, light squeeze and twist for 22.
I have the ones Ddad has as well, in a different color rubber.
It won't touch ptfe.

 

[Audandash]

I use the klein tools katapult Erik shows first. That thing is awesome. It wasn't cheap though and i am pretty sure i had to buy a small set of jaws for it. That being said its the only wire stripper i have used for the last 7-8 years.

 

[DDad]

I did see these getting good reviews (as well as a couple of similar looking no-names) when I was shopping around. I figured the harbor freight would be equivalent to all these.

And it works well with small wires?

I am using solid core 22, 24 and 26 gauge wires, silicone, with no-lead solder. I prefer solid-core, but have stranded and will try tomorrow.

I forgot to mention before, I did tests where I stripped a bunch of wires, then stripped them back further to see if any nicks in the wire. None. Not only easy to use, but safe for solid core wires.

 

[moonlighter]

I recommend Knipex. The model I have is discontinued, but this is their current equivalent:


They are more expensive, but I use them on 12-22awg machine control cabinet wiring and haven't had an issue.
The mechanism may be similar to the HF model you currently have, but the quality of the blades is what matters for a clean strip.