Upgrade to wire strippers - automatic or otherwise - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2021, 06:07:26 pm
content: Hi all. I do mostly automotive wiring with a side of equipment repair and home stuff. 8-18ga is where it usually falls. A few years back I went from plain old pliers to a cheap Felo automatic stripper as so -https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QWYNPGY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1It was well worth the change but now I'm doing some small run parts for sale not just hobby use and would like to upgrade again to something that is:-more precise (Felo cuts aren't always perpendicular to length)-allow shorter than Felo's min 6mm length-beautiful cool tool. i like nice stuff and not ashamed of it.I recently went to Pressmaster for crimping (like it so far - fair price) and thought to look at their stripper as well. Wonder if any here care to weigh in on what worked for them. Budget around a hundred bucks plus or minus.https://www.pressmaster.se/product/embla_16

author: profanum429
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2021, 07:02:47 pm
content: I have a pair of Phoenix Contact Wirefox-E 10 strippers; Digikey has them athttps://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/phoenix-contact/1212706/4449153and I've found mine work pretty well. I enjoy using them and haven't had any issues so far.We have some Xcelite ones at work (same body style as the Pressmaster one); those have given me a little trouble with some wires, usually silicone wire. I haven't had the same issues with the Wirefox ones.

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2021, 08:11:38 pm
content: In mass production, I use this tool with a longitudinal loading. Stripping tens of thousands of wires showed this method to be the most convenient. There is an adjustable length limiter, much faster and more convenient to lay the wire. But it is not very convenient when repairing when the wire is short.I use a Russian-made tool, I can't tell you how to find it from other manufacturers, maybe the photo will help you.

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2021, 08:19:02 pm
content: https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/combination-cutting-tools/katapult-wire-stripper-and-cutter-solid-and-stranded-wireworks quite well when I've used it with automotive wire, sxl, gxl, txl etc.cheers,george.

author: nightfire
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 09:55:22 am
content: @work I have a Knipex Stripper:https://www.knipex.de/selbsteinstellende_abisolierzangen?v=533&sku=1250200At home a Jokari one:https://www.jokari.de/de/Super-4-plus.htmThey shall be able to do 6mm²/10AWG, but the practical limit where these are doing a nice job is in my opinion 2,5 mm²/14AWG.But especially Knipex has some other, beefier models available on their page...

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 04:40:03 pm
content: Decided to give Pressmaster another go since I'm liking their MCT crimper. Ill let you guys know how it goes.Best price I found. And $6 shipping/free tee shirthttps://www.wirecare.com/category/tools/wire-strippers/pressmaster-strippers/embla-sbc-self-adjusting-stripping-and-cutting-tool-8awg-34awg-straight-blade-apex-part-sas3210?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6Or_BRC_ARIsAPzuer_POfQcly6iygvFTJjVMKtCM7A9zqrugxzVZC1OmyiXaGsMc0CarN8aAtRgEALw_wcB

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 05:03:23 pm
content: I've used and loved the jokari line of tools :https://www.jokari.de/especially the super 4 plus for 24 to 10 AWG :https://www.jokari.de/de/Super-4-plus.htmand the PWS Plus for 36 to 20 AWG :https://www.jokari.de/de/PWSPlus-002.htm

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 05:08:50 pm
content: Those look near identical to the Felo I have now. I like them but they have limitations I noted in my first post.

author: nightfire
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 05:29:24 pm
content: Yes, those simple strippers have their limitations- interestingly the Felo version looks very similar, maybe Jokari (Inventor of the Jokari Stripper) has contracts with FELO so that they manufacture also the Jokari branded tools? (According to the homepage, FELO does also OEM manufacturing)For big wires another take to the issue could be a Jokari-Style Knife:https://www.jokari.de/de/Secura-No-27.htmDepending on the cables handled, it can provide some cleaner cuts, but no precise length adjustment as you hold it on manually.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 07:04:25 pm
content: I use the Pressmaster series1, try to get the cassettes meant for PTFE wire, they have two blades per jaw, set at 90 degrees. I find these make a better cut than the standard ones, even on PVC wire.1: Well it's a Pressmaster OEM, sold byWaytek Wire

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 10:39:16 pm
content: I too bought my Pressmaster1from Waytek but did see the stripper on their site - did you?1. CrimperI believe this is the PVC cassette? If so its range is a little less desirable than the one I linked to...https://www.wirecare.com/category/tools/wire-strippers/pressmaster-strippers/4320-0615-embla-replacement-cassette-v-blade-apex-part-sas3210trb

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2021, 11:51:53 pm
content: edit - i am a dope I see you linked me to it! Funny - they brand the MCT crimp tool as Waytek on the tool itself but its listed under Pressmaster on their site...

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2021, 12:17:14 am
content: Yup, that's the one. Here's the same PTFE cassette from Waytek:https://www.waytekwire.com/item/555BV/Replacement-V-Blade-Cassette/The tool comes with the standard cassette for PVC, the PTFE one has the angled blades.

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2021, 12:24:26 am
content: The Waytek branded tool is stamped "Made in Sweden" as I presume the Pressmaster is ?

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2021, 02:15:45 am
content: Fairly certain it says that, but I'll check to be sure - it's at work. I do have a Waytek 560 crimper at home, and that's a rebadge of a Pressmaster MCT, with "Made in Sweden" embossed on the back.

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2021, 02:19:16 am
content: Yes me too. Thanks for checking.I'm curious why more people don't seem to know about pressmaster... the price is quite good for a non chinese tool with quality materials and interchangable dies.

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2021, 02:13:33 pm
content: Walled Waytek and confirmed: Yes their part 555 = Pressmaster. Great price from them - added to my latest order!

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 02:15:43 am
content: highly recommended - accurate wire strips EVERY time - one of my favorite tools, makes you look forward to stripping a wire because you know it will work precisely EVERY timehttps://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/tempo-communications/PA1123/1990599

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 05:51:31 am
content: Verified, my Waytek 555 has an embossed "made in Sweden" label.

author: BlackICE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 08:12:55 am
content: I bought the right angle version and it works well, but not to specs as it has issues with stripping smaller than 28 gauge. If I knew that I would have gone for the Teflon stripping head that isn't spec'd to do smaller wires like the normal head.

author: AKM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2021, 07:29:21 pm
content: The best automatic strippers i worked with are the Stripax from Weidmuller.

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 01:38:12 pm
content: Quote from: radar_macgyver on January 12, 2021, 05:51:31 amI had a pending Waytek order that I threw the 555 / Embala strippers on to. They come with the straight blade (black color) cassette, not the V blade (blue) PTFE cassette you suggested. Can you elaborate on the difference you saw between the two? On first attempt with some TXL/GXL 16/12ga automotive wire I was not that impressed. Especially with the 12ga the strip looked more like a tear at the two sides the blade does not contact the insulation. Even the $28 Felo has more of a V-shaped blade.https://www.waytekwire.com/item/555BV/Replacement-V-Blade-Cassette/

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 03:25:25 pm
content: The straight blade doesn't cut the sides of the wire insulation, and on wires with thicker insulation (600V class, as opposed to 300V) it tends to tear rather than cut, as you observed. The PTFE V-shaped blades cut the insulation on four sides, minimizing the tearing. The standard (black) cassette doesn't work at all on PTFE insulation.In general, with this tool I found it needed some adjustment of the strip depth (the +/- slider at the top) before it would give a reliable cut for a given wire gauge. Once set, though, it works like a champ.

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 03:56:11 pm
content: Is there some stripping task the straight blade is better at ?

author: BlackICE
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 06:55:32 pm
content: I see two advantages of the straight blade. When is it can strip multiple wires at the same time. Another that you don't have to center the wire anywhere in the Jaws will work. But with the V blades you might not get the same flexibility.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 07:40:22 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on January 12, 2021, 02:15:43 amFor 18 to 30 AWG (and probably larger sizes including 16-10 too) you don't have to do anything other than get the wire in the right slot. It will make an excellent strip every time.Mostly I use 18-22 but occasionally larger and smaller. Recently I used the stripper for 30 AWG and it worked perfecto - left the dainty Kynar wire conductor in tact with no visible cut marks. In the strip shown below I actually made two strip cuts. The first was halfway into the area where the insulation was removed and the second strip took off the remaining insulation. You can see that under magnification of the microscope there is no visible mark of the first strip. (The photo of the microscope view on the display is not as sharp and detailed as the view through the eye pieces but it's indicative.)For the price you get two cutter/strippers that together cover the full range of 10 AWG to 30 AWG with an overlap across 20-24. The strip markings are provided in both metric and English ("AWG") / Imperial ("MM"). Nothing in my lab is any more fun and reliable to use.Underno brainers for the pricelist are:Paladin/Greenlee PA1117 & PA1118 Wire StrippersAneng 8008 DMMKorad KA3005P (or KA3005D) Power Supply

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 02:38:44 pm
content: Quote from: georges80 on January 09, 2021, 08:19:02 pmSorry for the stupid question, but what is the correct way to use those strippers?I ask because after the tool handles have been squeezed and so the wire gets stripped,if one just releases the handles, the jaws would snap on the just-stripped wire, deforming it.Wire is still tightly hold by the tool, so not much chance to turn it away.Is there a way to avoid that issue (other than putting fingers or other objects between the jaws)

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 05:22:13 pm
content: Quote from: bitwelder on January 20, 2021, 02:38:44 pm

author: r-mm
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2021, 09:40:16 pm
content: The PTFE blade does what I was hoping it would for the 16-12ga TXL / GXL I'm working on now. The straight blade was pretty unimpressive for this application.

author: wildstar87
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 28, 2021, 06:35:38 pm
content: I have the Xcelite version of the Pressmaster SBC, I can't speak highly enough about this stripper. Specifically bought to strip teflon wiring, and with the PTFE cartridge they are just superb. I do have to change adjustments when stripping different ranges, but once you know that, it's easy enough to do. The settable strip length makes it easy to strip to a specific length every time. I bought them for work, to just try if they would really work for teflon, 3 years ago, been using them ever since. Had to eventually buy a set for home, because it was a pain to use regular manual strippers after using these, they are costly, but are really worth the money. Cartridges aren't cheap, but at least you can replace them, unlike other strippers, where you have to replace the entire tool.Never used the flat blade, but sometimes with different colors of the same gauge of wiring, the insulation thickness varies just enough that only the outer insulation is stripped, not the additional internal sheath, on those I will hold the stripper closed just before the stripping action, and rotate around the wire, so it essentially cuts all the way around the wire, that usually will cut the internal sheath as well.Using that method with the flat blade may give better performance, as you would be scoring the insulation all the way around the wire.