On 13/02/16 12:06, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Tim Watts wrote:
Snag with using a sharp knife is its too easy to nick the conductor.
With the relatively blunt jaws of side cutters, you dont. As you don't
actually cut through the insulation with them.


True - I only go half way through with a knife then use cutters (on
10+mm2 cable that's tough.

My main point was "I *can* manage with a basic tool, but I'd rather have
an optimal tool when doing a lot" ;-)

I started doing house wiring before special stripping tools were available
(or at least common) so developed the skills of doing it with basic tools.

I have just about every wire stripper known to man here. Thinking one day
I'll find the perfect universal one. Not for house wiring, but for other
stuff - cars and electronics.

The best one I have by far is the type which grips the cable with one set
of jaws and uses a second set - with different sized holes in the cutter -
to pull off the insulation. The universal ones that are meant to set
themselves to any size, near useless.



Aye - there's no single one that's perfect. Sidecutters with 1.5/2.5
notches are brilliant for everyday mains wiring. And I have something a
little like these:

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/...FXSTRIPPER.JPG

for taking T+E sheath off which is bloody brilliant (mine are yellow and
not quite the same, but similar).