Smaller automatic wire strippers

[matt_d]

Has anyone come across automatic strippers to pull of the sheath of a cable already in a back box. The regular ones can do it to a degree but due to the design they can't get all the way to the end of the cable.

Any suggestions for strippers to do this that have a smaller head and can pull from near where the cable exits the back box?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Knipex Self-Adjusting Wire Strippers 7" (180mm) - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Automatically adjusts to the cable size to strip the insulation without damaging the conductor. Can be used for single, multiple and fine stranded cables 0.2-6.0mm² with standard insulation. Suitable for copper and aluminium wire up to 2.5mm² and features an...

www.screwfix.com

 

[matt_d]

Knipex Self-Adjusting Wire Strippers 7" (180mm) - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Automatically adjusts to the cable size to strip the insulation without damaging the conductor. Can be used for single, multiple and fine stranded cables 0.2-6.0mm² with standard insulation. Suitable for copper and aluminium wire up to 2.5mm² and features an...

www.screwfix.com

Thanks. I was looking at this type but thought that the shape of the cutter might damage the inner cables while removing the outer sheath. They look pretty good though

 

[Marvo]

Is it for flat or round cables?

For flat cables I have a Weicon 7F stripper. It's fairly small and it gets into the back of backboxes very well. It doesn't exactly strip the cable flush with the entry point, it leaves about 8 or 10mm of sheath sticking into the box when it's finished. With me it gets low to average use, used regularly on some days then it's not used at all for some days, I've had it for 5 or 6 years now and it's still working well.

 

[matt_d]

Is it for flat or round cables?

For flat cables I have a Weicon 7F stripper. It's fairly small and it gets into the back of backboxes very well. It doesn't exactly strip the cable flush with the entry point, it leaves about 8 or 10mm of sheath sticking into the box when it's finished. With me it gets low to average use, used regularly on some days then it's not used at all for some days, I've had it for 5 or 6 years now and it's still working well.

View attachment 112788

Mainly for twin and earth. 1.5 and 2.5mm so flat rather than round. I would consider 8-10mm about what I was looking for. I have the Stanley Fatmax strippers and while that kind are convenient when the cable is free they struggle to get near that much off in a back box, especially if there are any other wires in there.
I have seen others that are more the gun type but they often have pretty big heads as well so I forsee the same issue I'm having. I'll check out the one you recommend

 

[Marvo]

Mainly for twin and earth. 1.5 and 2.5mm so flat rather than round. I would consider 8-10mm about what I was looking for. I have the Stanley Fatmax strippers and while that kind are convenient when the cable is free they struggle to get near that much off in a back box, especially if there are any other wires in there.
I have seen others that are more the gun type but they often have pretty big heads as well so I forsee the same issue I'm having. I'll check out the one you recommend

Yes, 1.0mm, 1.5mm and 2.5mm flat twin cables are what I use it on, I haven't tried it on 4mm cables but I doubt it would do that size. They're not exactly cheap but I've always rated Weicon as a brand and I've had several of their tools over the years and I've always been happy with them. I live in a much warmer climate than you so cables are relatively easy the dismantle any time of year for us so maybe have a look around for a local wholesaler who stocks them and ask if you can demo/try it before buying.

 

[nicebutdim]

Yes, 1.0mm, 1.5mm and 2.5mm flat twin cables are what I use it on, I haven't tried it on 4mm cables but I doubt it would do that size. They're not exactly cheap but I've always rated Weicon as a brand and I've had several of their tools over the years and I've always been happy with them. I live in a much warmer climate than you so cables are relatively easy the dismantle any time of year for us so maybe have a look around for a local wholesaler who stocks them and ask if you can demo/try it before buying.

I have a couple of Weicon strippers among a few different cable strippers. They're well made, but not a common brand in these parts. I can't remember the last time I went and got a cable stripper from the toolbox. More often than not cables are stripped using whatever is in my pocket and there's always a knife in my pocket, although I seldom use flat cables.

 

[loz2754]

These are by far the best for stripping both the outer sheath and the inner cores of flat pvc cables. The only downside is that the blades don't seem to last very long and are expensive to replace. They can reach into a back box.

CK T1260 Automatic TW/E Cable & Wire Stripper | CK (T1260 / T20030)

 

[matt_d]

These are by far the best for stripping both the outer sheath and the inner cores of flat pvc cables. The only downside is that the blades don't seem to last very long and are expensive to replace. They can reach into a back box.

CK T1260 Automatic TW/E Cable & Wire Stripper | CK (T1260 / T20030)

This was one of the styles I was looking at but I thought the end looked a bit big for a back box. But maybe I was wrong about that. There are a couple of other brands which have something very similar

 

[loz2754]

Efixx did a video on the CK version. Knipex, Jokari, Quickwire have their own branded versions.
Jump to 6:30 to see them used in a back box. I have used them for this myself, and it's not perfect but good enough.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Video only runs for 6:08.

 

[loz2754]

Video only runs for 6:08.

Oops. Wrong video!

Here's the right one (I hope)...

ck twin and earth stripping tool - Recherche Google

 

[matt_d]

Oops. Wrong video!

Here's the right one (I hope)...

ck twin and earth stripping tool - Recherche Google

The one with the bit with the back box is for the Ideal version which looks similar but another brand

 

[loz2754]

They're the same with a different badge. The knipex is the only one that's a bit different.

 

[matt_d]

They're the same with a different badge. The knipex is the only one that's a bit different.

Would you say the knipex would be better or worse or the same for getting into back boxes?