Stripping Wires With Side Cutters | Page 3 | on ElectriciansForums

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Hi guys

Have some trouble here.

So I'm doing terminations at work and using side cutters, usually on 1.5mm or 2.5mm. Seems to happen more with stranded.

I'm squeezing the cutters a bit and turning the side cutters around the wire and often the insulation bags up against the side cutters and just turns with the cutters as I turn them around the cable, without cutting all the way around the insulation, so I can't pull it off easily.

If I go gentler, I have to turn the cutters several times more than my colleagues in order to get the insulation thin enough to pull it off and it just feels like they're rubbing the insulation at all.

Its slowing me down and it's got to the point where I'm concerned it's one of two things.

The cutters I'm using are my first pair and are knipex vde side cutters, the usual short ones.

Either the side cutters I've bought aren't sharp enough or my technique is just wrong. I've heard that recent knipex side cutters aren't what they used to be, people moaning they aren't sharp, I ignored that and bought a pair anyway, but now I'm starting to think they might be too blunt from my own personal experience, but because I've not tried a load of types out, I can't be sure. But I'm also aware I've not got years of experience to back it up and I'm still on my first pair of cutters so I'm probably just inexperienced and I'm sure that's playing a part.

Any tips and any ideas on what you think the problem might be? My colleagues are all using CK side cutters that seem to have a sharper angle on the blades and they do one twist and pull the insulation off with very little force. I'm doing several twists and pulling way harder and not getting it off and sometimes I open the cutters to see they've simply just pressed in to the insulation, gripped it and have twisted it around the conductor. As a side note, I'm a fairly strong lad so this isn't a lack of minerals.

If I'm patient and do more twists and spend more time, I get through the insulation and I can feel the sheath give so I stop there and it pings off fine, but it's taking longer than it should.

If you think it's my technique, I'd appreciate some tips on what you do.

The way I see it, things like this can add up to big time savings as I obviously can't compromise on quality, just trying to be the best I can so helpful answers are appreciated.

Note: I'm not damaging the conductor. All the testing of my circuits have been fine and the sparks checking my work are happy with it, I'm just frustrated with the time and obvious difference in effectiveness when stripping the ends of cables for termination.
 
I use these as my go-to


These are my others for when I need long nose

Draper 05048 220mm Expert Ergo Plus Fully Insulated High Leverage VDE Long Nose Pliers View: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005DMVSHY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5397DbCZVMTPA
They are extremely similar to the C.K. ones I'm now using
 
I use these as my go-to


These are my others for when I need long nose

Draper 05048 220mm Expert Ergo Plus Fully Insulated High Leverage VDE Long Nose Pliers View: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005DMVSHY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5397DbCZVMTPA
One does wonder what the world of Electrics is coming to.
 
I use these. I'm not a fan of compact cutters. The Armeg ones are sharp and have sharp pointed tips, something missing from a lot of other models of cutters.
 
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I use the ck combi cutters, got them in both sizes, wont use anything else and can just about manage the screw cutter part, I don't use the anvil as often, I use knippex pliers to fold and form the end, sometimes the with CK combi cutters you may, if working in a confined space, nick another cable as you use the anvil, if theres bags of space to work in, then I use the anvil, it can speed up work.

The Ck cable cutters quite good, goes through tails easily and score the insulation if careful, however, treat them with care.

The worst cutters I have used are Irwin vice grip, I was gifted a set, cutting edge is pretty poor, the only use they have now is pulling nails out, utter garbage.

At the end of the day, its a trial and error with tools, eventually you will have your favourites that your used to using. This is what I hate about the lack of decent tool shops where you can go and try stuff out, ya know, a real tool shop where us tool fanatics can spend a day in :)
 
The Snap On and Mac tool vans still come to my mate's garage.
I have to deliberately miss them.
If I happen to arrive when they are there it is a struggle of wills.

Snap On are worse than sky cold callers or those twits that mug you in supermarkets, I can deal with them easily but Snap On I had to muster all my will power and say no, then slope off sulking because Mrs Tux made it clear we are not re-mortgage the house.
 
Snap On are worse than sky cold callers or those twits that mug you in supermarkets, I can deal with them easily but Snap On I had to muster all my will power and say no, then slope off sulking because Mrs Tux made it clear we are not re-mortgage the house.

Snap on, are they a kind of shop like Ann Summers?
 
It's just personal preference but I think it's good to try all options too. I have the knipex installation pliers and they work for me. Many tasks can be performed with them. However some people hate them.

I settled on these after trying all options. I still use the automatic strippers if I'm doing lots of cable stripping. Iv used side cutters and had similar issues to what you describe. Iv tried cable cutters, adjustable insulation cutters etc etc.

It really helped working with them all because on my recent AM2 exam I only had side cutters. Good job I knew how to actually use them, even if I dont on a daily basis.
 

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