Stripping Wires With Side Cutters

[7029 dave]

When I was at college many years ago, we used a knife to strip cables, always used me side cutters on site. lol

 

[MeggerHertz_NW]

When I was at college many years ago, we used a knife to strip cables, always used me side cutters on site. lol

They teach sidecutters now at college, well, they do where I went

 

[Jon_iz]

Having read all the various posts about dedicated stripping tools, pliers or side cutters, of which I have various examples collected and used over the years...
There is one method that hasn't been described in the posts as far I can see for side cutters, to strip ready for termination.
I was shown this method at college 35 years ago, it has stayed with me, is simple, quick and effective. It works for all types of side cutters with insulated single or stranded cores to 2.5mm.
(my preference is for smaller Lindstrom flush-cut cutters for smaller thinner gauges, because of the work I predominantly do)

The method is a variation on squashing the insulation, perpendicular to the core but only sufficient the crease the insulation without getting close to deforming the conductor.
Next use the cutters to nick the insulation at the edge of the crease line to close to the conductor. This effectively puts a cut in the insulation allowing it to part easily. Put the cutters back across the cable on the crease line, apply firm pressure, just a little more than you did to crease the insulation allowing the cutting edges to bite in, but not enough to catch the conductor and while maintaining this pressure push the insulation off the conductor.
I hope that makes sense. With a little bit of practise, it's as quick as an automated stripping tool.

 

[James]

There's many different approaches to sripping. Evetually, you develop a bit of a "muscle memory" for it, and it's different for everyone.

problem is your muscle memory, adapts slowly over time as your cutters loose there keen cutting edge. then you buy a new replacement set, same make, same size and for a whole morning, most wires you strip become an inch shorter!!!

 

[lozarus]

There is one method that hasn't been described in the posts as far I can see for side cutters, to strip ready for termination.3

Interestingly @Jon_iz the method you describe is one of the methods I use day to day - (or at least once I have removed the outermost sheath of a flex using my method). Yours is actually the earliest method I remember of being shown to strip cables by my father.

Curiously, I use the same flat lindstrom cutters you describe as I do a lot of work with control cable and find them great for a flush cut (they come into their own when terminating an rj45 plug)

Which is a point in itself - lindstroms are £35+ a go. Quality tools make all the difference. Mine must be 17 years old now and still razor sharp.

I find I alternate methods a bit however depending on exactly what job I'm doing, what feels right and what day of the week it is.

 

[Mike Johnson]

This will not be popular, but it must be me, reading all the answers on here, aren't side cutters just that, they are designed to cut things, I have always used a dedicated wire stripper, IMO I would not trust a mechanic who used a pair of pliers to undo the nuts on my car, does the job, but is not the correct tool, but pliers may have to be used if some muppet has used them previously. One caveat, side cutters with notch's in are in effect wire strippers. Now days weak old Arthritic hands make these my go to tool: C.K Automatic Wire Stripper - https://www.toolstation.com/ck-automatic-wire-stripper/p42984 when I do anything for myself that is.

 

[telectrix]

for flex I use a rotary stripper. far easier. set depth. spin round a couple of times, pull off sheath.

 

[DPG]

for flex I use a rotary stripper. far easier. set depth. spin round a couple of times, pull off sheath.

Always filth with you Tel.

 

[Essexsparky1]

I would use a pair of CK cable cutters, these are what I have used for over 20 years.

 

[Des 56]

If you need teaching with how to use cutters for stripping conductors there is little you can be taught

I know people who have found that after they accidentally cut through a live cable it blew a lovely sized hole in the centre of the jaws, that really helped them with their stripping technique

 

[Mike Johnson]

If you need teaching with how to use cutters for stripping conductors there is little you can be taught

Perhaps lessons on how to construct a coherent sentence.

 

[Des 56]

Perhaps lessons on how to construct a coherent sentence.

May be get a life and sentence construction will lose its appeal to you

 

[Mike Johnson]

Nope it will still have its appeal.

 

[Intoelectrics]

For most cables up to around 10mm, I just use my side cutters, have done for 30 years never had a problem (except maybe really old cable where the insulation can be very stubborn pulling off) I put my index finger between the cutter handles to create a buffer, make 2 gentle squeezes on the insulation, one on top then one at 90 degrees to my first indent (basically as if the cable was square not round) making sure not to go through to the copper. I keep my index finger between the handles keeping the buffer so as I add pressure during pulling the insulation the jaw blades never come into contact with the conductor, works on both stranded and solid core equally well. I'm very fast with this method (obviously after many years of practice) I find it very efficient and don't have to mess around swapping tools. I have taught this method to many of my apprentices and some experienced sparks over the years.
Obviously for bigger cables and sometimes older cables you are better using a more suitable tool, which I have a selection of.

 

[telectrix]

up to 4mm, either the sidecutters and pull cpc, or proprietry strippers like the CK or the Jokari. any thing bigger, a longitudinal cut up the middle with an electricians knife then a snip and pull. finally trimming off the sheath square. hate then big Vee cuts,

 

[Simon47]

Pro tip... The pliers should never leave your hand...… use it to cut, strip, crimp and hammer.

Hammer

I would use a pair of CK cable cutters, these are what I have used for over 20 years. View attachment 55287

Are yes, my preferred cutters, and with a bit of practice very good at stripping. I hardly ever use ordinary side cutters (outside of light current work for which I have a small pair) - it just hurts my hands and sometimes my joints will swell up if I'm not careful.
But the shear action on those goes (with a little effort) through 16mm T&E, 25mm singles, and ... 6mm and 8mm copper pipe. On smaller stuff, like a hot knife through butter and I have to wonder why anyone would use side cutters that (in comparison) need so much force to do the same job.
Doing network cabling, they are the only tool I normally use for stripping. Sometimes I use a variation on the CK automatic strippers previously mentioned, but on network cables they often damage the insulation on the cores.
Oh yes, and for cable with "hard" insulation, the shears strip with ease where everything else fails.

 

[ferg]

I use whatever I'm most comfortable with at the time.
Jokari flat wire strippers, side cutters, shears or a knife.
I do better with side cutters and Jokari for smaller t&e, knife or pliers for flex, knife for swa and shears or knife for 10mm and above.

I never got the hang of using a knife for smaller t&e but tbh I never tried very hard.

 

[Simon47]

Yup, use what's most appropriate at the time - and that you have to hand.

 

[Pete999]

I use whatever I'm most comfortable with at the time.
Jokari flat wire strippers, side cutters, shears or a knife.
I do better with side cutters and Jokari for smaller t&e, knife or pliers for flex, knife for swa and shears or knife for 10mm and above.

I never got the hang of using a knife for smaller t&e but tbh I never tried very hard.

That's why years of experience counts so much.
[automerge]1579442059[/automerge]

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.

Are you saying that you are ringing T&E sheathing with side cutters??

 

[Ian Mills]

nobody here use their teeth then?

only when doing live cables

 

[Pete999]

only when doing live cables

Only if they are brain dead

 

[ferg]

Only if they are brain dead

Sounds like a chicken and egg scenario.

 

[Pete999]

Sounds like a chicken and egg scenario.

Use the tools designed for the job FFS

 

[ferg]

Use the tools designed for the job FFS

I think you've missed the humour in the posts Pete.

 

[ipf]

I think you've missed the humour in the posts Pete.

Is that unusual?

 

[Ian Mills]

I think you've missed the humour in the posts Pete.

My sons puppy has a liking to eat live cables, has taken the trip out many times so must be getting a shock, but does not seem to stop him, I wanted to change his name to pikey because of this love of copper

 

[Soi disant]

everyone I've met on the tools all uses side cutters, albeit most have notches for stripping,

Maybe the notches were a later addition to (well, removal from, really) their cutters? ?

Although the notches can end up on the large side... ?

 

[Mike Johnson]

Another resurrected thread?????

 

[telectrix]

Another resurrected thread?????

give him a break, he's just learnt how to tell the time. dates are on day 2 (C&G 01/04) . ??

 

[Soi disant]

give him a break, he's just learnt how to tell the time. dates are on day 2 (C&G 01/04) . ??

?

 

[Soi disant]

Another resurrected thread?????

Not paying attention. Sorry.

 

[telectrix]

Not paying attention. Sorry.

go stand in the corner. ??

 

[ipf]

go stand in the corner. ??

Or notch a few joists out....??

 

[Soi disant]

Can I use a chainsaw?

 

[Mike Johnson]

No only a multitool. ?

 

[Soi disant]

? ?