Which tool do pro's use for stripping cable?

[JDLDIY]

I've been using wire strippers to strip back the insulation of the cores but wondered how you pro's go about stripping the cable's outer insulation first?
Cheers
JD
(High winds keeping me awake, nor worrying about cables honest!)

 

[securespark]

Two methods spring to mind:

A sharp knife run down the centre of T & E, then nick off the sheath at the bottom.

Use side cutters to nibble down the side of the sheath, then snip off.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

A sharp knife run down the centre of T & E, then nick off the sheath at the bottom.

This amateur finds a Stanley knife with the minimum amout of blade protruding ideal - length of the blade is just right.

 

[JDLDIY]

Yeah the stanley knife technique is mine too, just wondered if anyone used one of the more proprietary tools available to do the job. The one I've seen has black self adjusting jaws and red handles.
JD

 

[dw3101]

hmm.. best not mention using the earth

 

[shaggy]

Yes, mention the earth. I've seen the argument that the wire is bent tighter than the minimum bend radius but surely the minimum bend radius is to protect the insulation? It's not as if you're bending the copper back and forth to cause a fatigue failure.

 

[dw3101]

you dont actually bend the wire tightly.. if you cut between the cores with side cutters and then pull gently..

David

 

[mrscalex]

I've been using a stanley knife to score down the cable then nick the end before pealing back. Probably best to use cutters to nick the cable though as already suggested - I nearly managed to take the top of my thumb off yesterday with the knife as it slips easily!

A nice injury to go with my attempted finger amputation while removing tiles. Quite disgusting seeing the bone poking out of a wound...

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Yeah the stanley knife technique is mine too, just wondered if anyone used one of the more proprietary tools available to do the job. The one I've seen has black self adjusting jaws and red handles.
JD

Do they work?

I played with one in a shed once (I know ), and it was useless.

Dunno if that's because, being a shed, it was a C&N one, or if they're all pants...


Wish I could find that fabulous one I've described before......

 

[clarke24]

screwfix sell an automatic wire stripper that will split the t&e neatly then the excess pulls off can then be used on the inner cores aswell its great you'll only need this and a screwdriver when terminating and its so quick!!!

 

[breezer]

when terminating and its so quick!!!

No,

this is a terminator

 

[dingbat]

screwfix sell an automatic wire stripper that will split the t&e neatly then the excess pulls off can then be used on the inner cores aswell its great you'll only need this and a screwdriver when terminating and its so quick!!!

Oh, if only! It doesn't seem to matter what you are doing, you need no fewer than FIVE screwdrivers for every termination!

 

[JDLDIY]

Do they work

Not sure really, a mate had one which worked well for a fairly short while but then started to be less reliable.....

clarke24, got a link for the screwfix one you've used? I see a couple of auto wire strippers on there. The one like my mates sells for just a couple of quid, which doesn't fill me with much confidence! How long have you been using it?

JD

 

[ban-all-sheds]

screwfix sell an automatic wire stripper that will split the t&e neatly then the excess pulls off can then be used on the inner cores aswell its great you'll only need this and a screwdriver when terminating and its so quick!!!

Is it one of these:

BTW, in case anybody reading this has not seen these:

I can highly recommend them. Doesn't do the sheath, but for stripping cores it's superb.

 

[dingbat]

I can highly recommend them. Doesn't do the sheath, but for stripping cores it's superb.

I use one all the time. It's excellent on stranded cable and flex cores, but you have to be careful with the alignment on solid conductors or else it can damage the insulation left behind.