Recommendation for wire stripper with short length stop (1mm strip length) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tinfever
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 03:34:27 am
content: Would anyone be able to recommend a wire stripping tool capable of stripping 16 AWG wire with a strip length of 2.50-3.00mm, and/or stripping 28 AWG wire with a strip length of 1.00-1.05mm?These don't have to be the same tool for both wire sizes. These requirements are from the crimp terminals I have to use and finding a tool with a length stop that goes that short is challenging. I may be doing thousands of these so I'm not opposed to paying more to get the right tool for the job. (I already spent $800 to get the official crimp tool. That still really hurts... but I can't afford to cut any corners here.)The best I've found so far is the Knipex 12 12 02 which from the photos appears to go below 2mm on the length stop, but the length stop range isn't officially specified anywhere I can see.https://www.conrad.com/p/knipex-12-12-02-12-12-02-cable-stripper-003-up-to-208-mm-14-up-to-32-822053A Pressmaster EMBLA VBC goes down to 3mm on the low end but that doesn't leave me any margin for error.http://www.pressmaster.se/product/embla_vbcAny ideas?

author: Black Phoenix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 06:27:39 am
content: Why not strip bigger and cut at the length needed?Yes you are going to throw away some material but at the same time it would be easier.Although if you still want to go the route of a stripper, this one allows you to do perfect strips of any size -https://www.tequipment.net/Hakko/FT802-03/Thermal-Wire-Strippers/Yes is not a stripper in the common mechanical way but it can be used for to AWG 18 with the normal slot blade or any size with the flat one.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 07:22:13 pm
content: Quote from: tinfever on October 27, 2022, 03:34:27 amI don’t have any specific recommendation for the 16AWG, but for the 28AWG, the only hand-operated ones I’ve ever found that reliably do really short strip lengths, like needed for small crimp connectors, are these German-made ones:Single-size (0.40mm diameter, which should be just about right for 28AWG stranded):https://www.conrad.com/p/ck-t3756-40-wire-stripper-suitable-for-pvc-coated-wires-ptfe-wires-040-mm-max-828936Adjustable (one of several, overlapping size ranges available; this one is for 32AWG-22AWG stranded):https://www.conrad.com/p/ck-330013-wire-stripper-suitable-for-pvc-coated-wires-ptfe-wires-841946(These are just two of the whole family of models, which has various modes of fixed and adjustable, ESD safe optional. They use V-cut blades. The specs/markings are for solid wire AWG, so for stranded you go one size up, e.g. for 28AWG stranded, use a stripper sized for 26AWG solid.)What I love about these is that the depth stops are stepless, so you can get down to fraction of a millimeter resolution for small crimps.Just be aware that these things are perpetually backordered. Don’t expect to get one quickly at this price. I say that because CK is just one reseller of them; the German OEM sells them rebranded to numerous manufacturers who sell them at wildly differing price points. You certainly can find them in stock under different brands at 2-4 times the cost.With that said, they’re not automatic. if you’re going to be doing thousands and thousands of pieces, an automatic stripping machine might be a good investment. Just know that you’re looking at a substantial 4-digit price.Things like these:https://www.schleuniger.com/en/products/strip/wire-stripping/https://carpentermfg.com/

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 10:11:35 pm
content: You can read the posts here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/best-wire-strippers-for-small-awg-electronic-repair-in-2022/

author: tinfever
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 01:48:21 am
content: Thank you for all the info!For the 16AWG, I'm still seriously considering the Knipex 12 12 02. Although the more I look at the length stop, the more it feels like I'm going to have to either modify or replace the existing length stop on this tool or any other. The 12 12 02 seems like it would produce the cleanest insulation cut since it has the two pairs of "U" shaped blades blades that nearly completely surround and cut the insulation. This is compared to the Weidmuller Stripax with one pair of special segmented blades and one pair of clamps, or something like the Knipex Multistrip 10, that just has one pair of flat blades and one pair of clamps. I'm thinking if the wire is held well enough and the cut requires little force, I might be able to just add a shim to the length stop to get where I need. Assuming the length stop isn't a flimsy piece of plastic with 0.5mm of slop in it.For the 28 AWG, The CK 330013 seems like a good option. I found an eBay seller in Australia listing them for sale at the equivalent of $60 USD so I ordered one there. I give it 50:50 odds the seller actually has the item. If not, it looks like there is a clone version available as Jonard Tools ST-450, made in China I think, for $50 USD. I'd rather have the one made in Germany if I can get it.A completely automated machine I hadn't considered much, but the Chinese machines like the SWT508-SD for around $600 actually almost makes sense. I'll probably see how insane it drives me to do it all by hand first, and I'll probably need the hand stripping tools either way, but it sure is tempting.https://www.ebay.com/itm/165647087469