electrician's tool - pvc insulation stripper - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 08:24:53 am
content: Hello all,I'm looking for a wire stripper but not one for the actual conductors. I have a wire stripper for a conductor.I'm looking for a tool to strip the outer PVC sheath or insulation before getting to the individually insulated conductors.Is an electrician's pocket knife still the way to go? Or is there something better? What should I search for?Something similar?What about thisJokari Tool? Does it do what I'm looking for?Thanks

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 10:34:38 am
content: If you're talking about NM (ROMEX) cable, I use these...https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000F9HIEC/ref=pd_aw_sim_sbs_469_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3J3NA24MNRRHJP4BXCKJ

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 01:32:52 pm
content: With a knife like that I assume you're stripping lengthwise (if not, disregard - I scrap a lot of copper). One of these has earned me a few thousand bucks over the years.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Imperial-Pipe-Brake-Double-Flaring-Tool-Set-Kit-Aluminium-Copper-Tubing-Brakes-/252030027202?hash=item3aae2905c2:g:gDUAAOSwHnFVqRUU(get the type with wing-nuts for easy tool-less blade adjustments).Stick it in a bench vice, plop your pile of old pvc cable down behind the vice and pull the cable through allow a common utility blade to slit down the PVC (for a bigger pile of heavy gauge cable, I get one of my son's to help guide the cable through).Sometimes at $3 a pound, sending "bare-bright" copper in 5 gallon pails to a recycler can pay-off a few bills!

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 03:08:22 pm
content: Do you mean this black insulation?if yes, one of those automatic wire strippers:Do a great job at stripping the outer insulation.

author: 128er
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 03:47:08 pm
content: For the outer insulation you can use one of these tools here . . .https://toolineo.de/jokari-kabelmesser-no.28h-secura-8-28mm-hakenklinks-p!100000000010519.html?h=0000032&gclid=CI-stfWsgNACFeoW0wodljoAVghttps://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1212174&library=usen&pcck=P-25-02-01-01&tab=1https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1212161&library=usen&pcck=P-25-02-01-01&tab=1They are available from different manufacturers.

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:14:11 pm
content: Yes, I do mean the black insulation. I have the exact tool you pictured that I strip the inside wires, but how do I use it for the outside?Quote from: ZeTeX on October 29, 2016, 03:08:22 pm

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:18:03 pm
content: You must strip lots of copper!I am looking more fro something to use as a tool when I occasionally need to strip some wire. Although,, if I found a cheap (read free) source of used copper wiring, I would definitely look at something like that.Quote from: Cliff Matthews on October 29, 2016, 01:32:52 pm

author: kao
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 09:34:17 pm
content: Jokari N15.Video (russian language):

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2016, 11:05:27 pm
content: Shoved in with my VDE toolkit is a small kitchen knife, I never go to a job without it! It has small serrations along the blade. The beauty of the serrations is that you can apply very little downwards force, just run the blade back and forth, as you get close to hitting the conductors, slow right down. It won't just unless you move it. It isthebest knife I have used for getting through the outer sheath* on a cable without knicking the insulation on the cores.<pedantic electrician>The outer of a cable is called the sheath, not insulation.</pedantic electrician>

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 02:04:07 am
content: The best strippers for cable jackets that I've ever used are this type:There's a depth adjustable blade. You put the cable to be stripped into the sprung sliding V shaped channel and rotate the cutter once around the cable. You then press a button on the side of the stripper that rotates the blade though 90 degrees so that it is now set to cut along the length off the cable. You then just pull the stripper off the cable towards the free end and you have the insulation floating free and ready to be easily pulled off the cable.Once it's adjusted to the right depth you can strip a cable end in literally one or two seconds. I've used nothing else that is easier, faster or more precise. Expect to pay around £20 GBP or equivalent.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 02:30:03 am
content: Looks interesting. like the Jonard Tools: CST-1900 or this one:But the edges look like they could be chamfered more so they don't drag on soft PVC.

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 02:41:55 am
content: Those "circumcision" tools are excellent on armoured or braided cable, but for standard flex they aren't too good, due to the differing sheath depths around the cross-section of the cable...

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 02:48:21 am
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on October 30, 2016, 02:30:03 amYeah, it's a standard style manufactured by a bunch of people, I just grabbed the first photo I could find. I've never had a problem with one dragging or grabbing the cable but that's not to say it couldn't happen with a cheap one. Best bet, as always with tools, is to go with 'reassuringly expensive' as long as you have enough smarts to not be the kind of person who's described as "Oh, they saw you coming"..

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 02:54:17 am
content: Quote from: Delta on October 30, 2016, 02:41:55 amI've always found that the little triangular fillet that's left between individual flex cores snaps out easily so there's no need to set the blade too deep. Also, I now know what to call it. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you "The Rabbi" - "Here John? Bris the end of that flex for me will ya?".

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 03:10:26 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on October 30, 2016, 02:54:17 amI thought it was called the "MoyleMaster" lol

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 03:33:09 am
content: Quote from: P90 on October 30, 2016, 03:10:26 amOn this side of the pond, we might call it a Bobbitt tool.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_and_Lorena_Bobbitt

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 04:28:38 am
content: For type SJT/SVT cable, the best results I've had are with a Wiha cable stripping tool:http://www.wihatools.com/tech-tools/stripping-tools/precision-adjustable-stripping-toolI use my thumb to keep the tool from cutting a spiral instead of a circle.

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 07:05:22 am
content: Quote from: Delta on October 30, 2016, 02:41:55 amI agree.. I almost use them on 12 to 80 core machinecable.This one however is quite good for standard 2 or 3 core 0,75/1,5 mm2 and similar "household" cable. It works great on those small 4 core sensorcables to.https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Tools-15010-Cyclops-Stripper/dp/B000BY8BY2

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 06:13:43 pm
content: Thanks everyone, I think I'm gonna try with something along the lines of what Jokari has on offering since TME carries some and maybe try a pocket knife as well.Although you've all given me quite a few ideas now that I know what to search for.

author: made2hack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 06:21:45 pm
content: watching the Russian video with auto generated CC and auto-translate on was brilliant.there was "Sex, sex" and Mugabe at the Oscars, I think!!!Still don't know which he preferred but it doesn't matter!

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 10:54:33 pm
content: Quote from: made2hack on October 30, 2016, 06:21:45 pmLOL.?

author: kao
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 05, 2016, 07:33:58 pm
content: Quote from: made2hack on October 30, 2016, 06:21:45 pmI would choose Jokari N15.For PVC shell, not tightly to the wire, I would choose Knipex 9855:Attention! The blade is very sharp and the risk of damage to the hand.P.S. Sorry for my english.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2016, 04:39:37 pm
content: Quote from: Cliff Matthews on October 30, 2016, 03:33:09 amWhat. The. Fuck.The pain, I can't even.. fuck.