Customer Reviews

GB SE-92 Strip Easy 8 Gauge to 22 Gauge Automatic Wire Stripper

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Seems like every tool has a built-in wire stripper these days. Crimpers and pliers, I even have a pair of scissors with one. And they're all pretty crummy strippers, too.

This tool does one thing, and it does it very well. It can strip a wire using only one hand, so your other hand can hold the wire. After the cut, it flicks off the insulation in one smooth motion, which eliminates wrestling with the wire to get the tip off.

It also has a very wide range of gauges that it can do, and it is easy to compare the wire tip with the holes to find the right one. For example, sometimes a 18 gauge stranded wire is "fluffier" than usual, and needs the 16 gauge hole. Even if you guess wrong and use the larger hole, it is easy to put the wire back in and do it again one smaller.

There is one disadvantage, which is that it flicks the insulation end off onto the floor. This is kind of fun while you're doing it, but then you'll end up crouching down and trying to find them after it is over (or vacuuming, if you've been doing a bunch of them). I used mine to strip a bunch of wires for a car alarm, and had little multicolored tips all over the parking lot when I was done.

Sean P. Logue, 2007

This stripper is very good to use. I've been using it for years in the industrial work area. Clean cut, rarely nicked the wires. Or maybe it was just me :)

Have used the wire stripper a few times. Am happy with it for the price I paid. It could use some design improvements. The lever that opens the cutting blade seems out of place. To use the tool, I usually must open the cutting blade with my other hand before placing the tool on the wire. Would probably select another brand if I know this issue existed, but not sure which brand would work better.

I purchased this item for my husband for Christmas, so this review reflects his opinion - he's very happy with it, he's a computer and ham radio junkie, and is always needing these special tools for some project or other - he's happy with this GB-SE-92.

Most of the time it works but then every once in a while it has a hiccup and you have to stop for a few seconds and unjam it. However, it is handy when you need to do a lot of stripping. I imagine that other automatic strippers have similar issues as this one. It was relatively cheap so I would buy again.

Experience level in relation to the tool: medium-low

A pretty good concept, but with some flaws:
- The sizing isn't accurate, or the mostly US-made cables I'm using aren't, but in either case, this sometimes results in a choice between the labeled wire gauge being slightly too small. The too-small slot nicks the wire (which can result in breakage in solid household wire when it's bent to fit the outlet), or loss of some of the strands in stranded wire. Using the next size up sometimes works OK with soft insulation, but in hard or two-layer insulation, it doesn't strip.
- Sometimes the wire clamp doesn't release at the end of the stroke, so the cutter pops back and brooms the end of stranded wire, if that's what's being stripped.
- Alignment of a 22ga wire in the slot is tricky, since the wire's so flexible and the slot's all the way inboard (next to the 12ga slot).
- Finally, the pot metal casting broke at the hinge, so it's in the trash and I'm looking for a different one.

On the plus side, this was much better than other devices I've used - a pocketknife, those cheap "pliers with slots" type strippers, or in a pinch, my two front teeth.

I'll try one of those self-adjusting strippers next, once I find out what our EEs at work recommend.

The 22 gauge slot is so far over to one side that the grippers either have a hard time catching the wire or they catch it at such an angle as to break the wire instead of stripping it. It works fine for other gauges, but fails when it comes to the small stuff.

it strips the 14-2 wire sheath and wires themselves at the same setting

I wish i had this tool years ago. I would recomend this tool to a friend.

could use better instructions, but still cool.

I've had this stripper for less than 2 years. The clamp part that is supposed to hold the wire down no longer works well. It is usually stuck in the open position and you have to fiddle with it for some time. A lot of the metal including the screws are rusted. Never got it wet, must be from humidity alone. I'm looking for a better wire stripper for smaller gauge wires.

quick shipment, item works well, but needs lots of hand power. Caution: carpal tunnel syndrome.