Wire strippers

Does anybody use one or can you recommend one? We're thinking about buying a wire stripper but don't know where to start. Thanks

I was thinking of getting a machine myself. I've seen a few different kinds.

-Seen these go for about 100 dollars, manual
- Similar machine going for about 340
-$400, semi manual ( I like this one, but what about braided wire?)

And this one I love:

The price is a little scary starting out for me, but if I could do a greater volume it'd pay for itself.

Just ordered the manual one at 100.00 from ebay. Will let you know how well it works once I receive it.

For the most part I rely on a six pack, utility knife and a pack of sharp blades.

I have been looking high and low for a decent manual stripper, just to save time, but can't find anything in my area. And I'm not very big on shopping online, so I may have to knuckle down and build some sort of device. I love that stripper with the drill, btw.

Your wire stripping setup sounds dangerous ScrappyMcGee LOL

The only type of wire I've been stripping is TV/CRT degaussing cables. Using a utility knife and some cursing. It's kinda pain in the neck. It should be possible, though, to come up with some type of small gizmo/jig that would allow me to hold the cable in one hand in between two sharp ends and slice the insulation by pulling the cable though with the other hand. The trick is to find the right type of metal that would be soft enough to allow to be squeezed by the thumb and the index fingers while being hard enough to cut through the insulation without bending. It seems that if one can make such a gizmo, it would allow them to clean up degaussing cable much much faster. But of course I am still trying to make the gizmo. So far no success...

Here is a website that has some interesting gadgets.

http://www.striptec.com/ws.htm

Originally Posted by wayne1956

Here is a website that has some interesting gadgets.

http://www.striptec.com/ws.htm

Interesting. I am wondering if their Model K would fit my purposes, although from the pix it looks as if it's more for just cleaning insulation off of cable ends. Sent them an email with questions, will see what they say.

Originally Posted by ilyaz

Interesting. I am wondering if their Model K would fit my purposes, although from the pix it looks as if it's more for just cleaning insulation off of cable ends. Sent them an email with questions, will see what they say.

I was thinking about that same model. I would be interested in what they say. I would like to find something that I could strip the insulation off of all the wiring harnesses I remove from washers, dryers, etc.

Originally Posted by wayne1956

I was thinking about that same model. I would be interested in what they say. I would like to find something that I could strip the insulation off of all the wiring harnesses I remove from washers, dryers, etc.

I sent them an email asking about it being good for stripping degaussing cables quickly. Got a long email and here's a piece of it. It did not really answer my main questions, except for the price which is way too high for me!

Strip-Tec "Model K" Wire Stripper
Capacity 1/16" up to 3/8" OD
Handheld
V roller with ball bearings for smooth operation
Light weight-Weighs less than 1 lb.
7" long-fits comfortably in your hand
Stores easily into toolbox or tool belt.
In stock and ready to ship

This is a hand held unit that we have developed. We have stripped 16 Gauge with it and it can go up to 3/8" (8AWG). The unit sells for $99.00. This price includes shipping in the lower 48 states. It is small and lightweight and can be carried in your toolbox or tool belt. It uses Utility Knife blades that are cheap and can purchased from a local hardware store or even a convenience store.

If you're going to strip, I'd think that the capacity- pounds of wire per hour- would be a good way to judge which machine would work for you best.

On the other hand- I thought the consensus here was that not stripping paid the best.

Originally Posted by Rusty Nuts

If you're going to strip, I'd think that the capacity- pounds of wire per hour- would be a good way to judge which machine would work for you best.

On the other hand- I thought the consensus here was that not stripping paid the best.

I think it depends on specific prices and other factors. I definitely don't want to strip power cords or wire I extract from computers. On the other hand, I recently went to a nearby yard and asked them about prices of stripped vs intact degaussing cables and the difference was too big not to strip (do not remember the exact numbers).

Another factor for me is that I am not in a harry to strip. I am not doing this for a living, scrapping is for me a "hobby with benefits". That said, I do want to do it faster and easier. Hence a search for a good tool.

I want to buy a granulator but **** them things cost so much lol.I have a copper wire question.How much copper is in like a coaxial cable.Would it be worth stripping?

Most coaxial isn't even copper. I stripped a couple hundred feet and the magnet stuck to it all. I bought a wire stripper from Gensco it cost $3000.00 I know ouch but it can go through a lot of wire. Paid itself off in 6 months. I LOVE it.

With a really good wire stripper / granulator- you'd be able to buy a lot of insualted wire at low prices, process it and sell it for close to bare and bright prices!!!

Pay $1 a pound for wire and turn it into $4 copper.

Coaxail cable wire.How much of it would equal 1 pound of copper.

Scrapyards here don't take coax, not even stripped.

Most coaxial isn't even copper.

Hello Guys, My main business used to be Cb radio, scanner repair. CB and Ham style of coax is good copper with a rubber jacket outside and usually just a foam insulator between the ground braid and the center wire. RG-58/59 is the smallest sizes, RG-8X is one step larger with a larger center wire, and RG-8U or 213 is the largest with almost a 1/4" diameter stranded wire in the center, plus the ground braid. All easy to strip with a utility knife,,,