How to Strip Electrical Wire like a Pro 6 Ways

Learn how the pros strip wire and do the job right. Stop nicking wire and risking fire and short circuits. See the tools that make the job easier and avoid the ones that don't work!

Check me out on Instagram for great photos and more project updates

Disclaimer:
This video, description & comments may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links I may receive a small commission.

Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal.

[AlvaroRojas]

If we had any of these tools we wouldn’t be watching the video

[WindOfTheWisp_Janine]

Thanks for the video! I've stripped many wires over the years, using good quality (Klein, etc.) traditional wire strippers, which work fine for me. (For crimping, you should use a dedicated crimping tool - I have one with 6 interchangeable jaws for different style terminals.) I decided to try one of the automatic strippers - bought the Klein - it worked fine for 16 gauge stranded, but when I tried it on 12 gauge stranded with stiff insulation it nicked the wire - thought I must be doing something wrong so tried it two more times - still nicked the wire - ended up with my wire too short for my project (line in wires to a new contactor in AC condenser unit) which caused me to have to move things around which was a pain. Will never trust it again. Online reviews show many folks reporting the same problem. The jaws are sloppy & move, nicking the wire. Later discovered that the automatic Klein stripper is made in China - their traditional strippers are made in the USA - probably the reason for the quality difference.

[phillip.dustin]

Thank you for making such a comprehensive video! I've used the traditional wire strippers and they aren't my favorite either. You can see just how helpful those other tools are!

[rodzilla]

As a 40 year industrial electrician, I stripped thousands of wires using the Ideal Stripmaster. They have an adjustable wire stop that can be added to strip every wire the same length that I used for terminating in control panels. I had a pair of electricians scissors but never stripped a wire with them. Also, I never ever saw anybody strip a wire with their teeth!

[mikedalakis]

A professional electrician that I worked with, just used the cutter of his pliers to strip the wires. I've used this myself and it works fine, though it takes a little practice to master the technique.

[xxjinxx]

And people said I was crazy for carrying model human teeth in my tool bag...

[Curt_Sampson]

The automatic, auto-sizing wire strippers such as the Vise-Grip one you demonstrate are the easiest, fastest and most reliable for situations where they work. It's also worth noting that these can be used to strip a short length of wire in the middle, if the length on the cutter side isn't too long.

They do have limitations, however. They're limited to stripping a certain minimum length of wire (typically at least 1 cm, and anything less than about 3-4 cm is difficult and fiddly) and also have a minimum gauge, being unable to strip anything smaller than 24 AWg.

I work with electronics where I regularly exceed both limitations, so for that reason I often find myself using the jaw-type wire stripper that was the first one you demonstrated (after the scissors).

[speedracer]

tldr; Summary:
1) Electrician's scissors
2) Traditional wire stripper
3) Semi-automatic wire stripper
4) Semi-automatic wire stripper with automatic sizing
5) Vise grip semi-automatic wire stripper with automatic sizing
6) Teeth (not recommended)

[mikenormandy]

First time I saw an old timer strip wire with his teeth i couldn't stop laughing, but shit all he has on him was a flathead screw driver - and he got a ton of wiring done in a resi job we were doing - I offered him one of my strippers or linesman, but he refused to go to his truck or use my tools lol - I just like to use my linesman to strip wire...most of us can do most any job with a pair or Linesman pliers and 10-in-1 screw driver....Great vid my man! - using the Klein Katapult, most people will DEF give you shit, esp if you are an apprentice, you should be learning to strip wire the right way! LOL

[kove]

Looked up the vise grip pair, only $15 at some stores, I expected upwards of $40! Thanks for sharing.

[LouisianaTractorworks]

I vote for the teeth! lol I actually have done it everyway you talked about but I prefer the second one. The plain wire strippers. I use them almost daily and like them!

[michaelquintana]

So it's like circumsizing the wires....

[brkbrk]

i love number 5 . it’s an amazing tool

[TisEyerish]

Thanks for an excellent tutorial! I'm new to this process and appreciated the demonstrations and your opinion on each of the possibilities!

[Jeff-wcpe]

Silver Cymbal Great videos man! I enjoy Trades and being a good Home Care fellah. Great plumbing videos and this one here was a riot with the denture molds. I think that was a joke for extented viewing. well done! Still laughing. (jokes) "Here's how the dog can help you in a pinch if you need wire stripped, just tug of war".

[JoshKilen]

very nice video, at work we primarily use the ideal style for the hand stirippers, but we hand some nice bench top mechanical strippers.

[Snowwinterie]

i love the Vise-Grip one you demoed its the easiest and fastest way

[OneBorko]

Teeth worked wayyy better than anything I had for fixing my teared lan cable

[jamesbomd]

What about a flame especially on very thin electrical wire

[nonolabs]

The plastic on the vise grip strippers does last. I've had mine for about 6 years. I personally prefer the snips since I do low voltage but the vise grip comes in handy for new installs like speaker wire.