Kleine Wire Strippers (How long do yours last?)

[upthepunxxx]

I was poking around and reading some old threads on wire strippers, and was going to comment on some of them but I realized the posts were a couple years old. Anyways I have some decent (or at least I thought they were decent) Klein strippers I bought from Pacific Radio http://www.pacrad.com/tools-cases/blades-cutters/cutter-stripper-klein-tools-11055.html

It seems like they are already dull, is that possible? Or is it more likely that something is up with my technique? I mean its stripping wire right? If I am doing that wrong I may have to throw in the towel! Just curious if you guys replace strippers a lot or are you still using the same pair your granpappy's granpappy gave you?

Stay Punk!

[JamesM]

That's strange.  Mine are pretty darn old and have never given me any issues.

[Maple Larynx]

It could be your wire gauge.  The model you linked to covers 12 - 20 awg where the typical pedal wire is around 22 - 28 awg.  Those strippers weren't designed to strip the smaller wire.  You'll want to get a stripper that gets down to 26 or 28 awg or is 'automatic'.

[rullywowr]

+1 for the automatic stripmaster. Love it and it has replaceable cutters too down the line. I supplement that with a $5 pair of yellow handle cheap ones.

[pickdropper]

I like the Ideal Stripmaster as well.  It's so important to me that I bought a second one as a backup.  I'd be really frustrated if I had to go back to a manual wire stripper.

[upthepunxxx]

Yea sorry man I forget to mention that. I have the same set that looks just like those, but go from like 22-32 awg. Pacific Radio didn't have that gauge size on their site when I was posting yesterday. I use 24 gauge stranded pre bond from small bear. You ever used those Klenk strippers? http://www.amazon.com/DA76070-KLENK-Wire-Cutter-Stripper-Small/dp/B0007ZKMU6

It could be your wire gauge.  The model you linked to covers 12 - 20 awg where the typical pedal wire is around 22 - 28 awg.  Those strippers weren't designed to strip the smaller wire.  You'll want to get a stripper that gets down to 26 or 28 awg or is 'automatic'.

[wgc]

Sometimes they get bent at the hinge point.  Telltale sign is a little round wear spot on the blade.  You might be able to bend it back, but probably another vote for the automatic ones.  They work great, but I only have the yellow cheapies.  Looking to avoid lots of wire in the future anyway!

[upthepunxxx]

Thanks man. Looks like I'm gonna have to check out the automatic strippers now for sure. I'll take a peak at my current one as well and see if there is a wear spot. Have you tried those KLENK ones? I watched a video on an old post and they looked amazing? Didnt know if it was the real deal or not.

Sometimes they get bent at the hinge point.  Telltale sign is a little round wear spot on the blade.  You might be able to bend it back, but probably another vote for the automatic ones.  They work great, but I only have the yellow cheapies.  Looking to avoid lots of wire in the future anyway!

[Maple Larynx]

I am definitely not a high volume builder.  I recently started using these: 


And previously used these: 

[alanp]

I recently went from sidecutters for stripping (after more than a year... the only stripper I had previous was only suitable for building amps) to getting a pair of strippers that can do 20-24 gauge. Bit of a revelation!

[muddyfox]

Funny you should mention it. I have 11057 (not 11055) and lately I've been noticing that it doesn't strip as easily as it used to. It's only a year old and I don't build a lot so it really should hold up better, methinks?

Now, this Stripmaster... I see it's 10-22, does it work on Barry's wire that's rated at 24?

EDIT: OK, I see they also have all sorts of versions. Which one do you guys use?

[pickdropper]

I use the 16-26 AWG Stripmaster.  It hits most everything I need for pedals.

It doesn't work for Kynar wire for PCBs, but that's about all I do that it won't cover.

[muddyfox]

Thanks!

So that would be a 45-097.... now, to find a store that ships to Europe... 

[alanp]

I included my recent strippers in a Seeed order. (Partly through idly browsing their webstore.)

[muddyfox]

huh... i never would have figured to look there, the best i found so far is $32 plus $45 shipping to europe. even if it is kinda bulky an heavy, $45 is ridiculous.