IDEAL Stripmaster Coax Wire Striping Tool

by Ideal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000IBPRD6
• Item model number: 45-262
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,921 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Spring-action operation grips and strips in one motionKnife-type blades feature multiple hole diameters sized for two step removal of outer jacket insulation and center conductorSpecific blades strip specific cable sizes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Narrow Range of Uses, But "Ideal" For Certain Applications, August 21, 2011

By 

Cajun J "LouisianaBistineau" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: IDEAL Stripmaster Coax Wire Striping Tool (Electronics)

The first time I picked up one of these strippers many years ago I stood there with a dumb look on my face, and a non-stripped wire in my hand wondering...how does this thing work? I had no instruction on it's use until a wise man who specialized in building electrical control panels educated me on this tool's place in the world.

But, I won't let you stand there with that same look on your face. Here is a basic description of how this tool works, if you don't know:
-You insert the end of the wire into the end of the stripper opposite the blades. Rest the wire in the desired AWG size slot with your desired strip length (strip capacity is up to about 7/8") sticking out past the blade end of the tool. Pull the handles together and in one swift, spring-loaded motion, the tool clamps down on the wire, the blade cuts into the insulation (but not the wire) and the insulation is pushed off of the wire by the spreading action of the blades away from the stationary wire clamp. Strip length is limited by how far the tool opens - around 7/8" max strip length.

APPLICATIONS:
- Not ideal for the person who needs to be able to strip a lot of different sizes/types of wires and cables, at a lot of different lengths in any given day. Example: a service call electrician, or a residential house-wiring electrician.
- It is ideal (actually - perfect) for the person who needs to strip large numbers of wires in a clean, consistent, and uniform manner. Example: terminating several hundred wires in a PLC or control panel.
- It is ideal for a production type setting, where a newly hired line worker who has never stripped a wire before can pick up this tool, receive training on it's operation, and produce the same quality of work as the veteran standing next to them. Especially if the tool is equipped with the adjustable wire stop (optional). The tool's single-hand squeeze operation also means better ergonomics in such a production environment. I have seen it being used by workers who stripped 1,200 wires per shift, with little to no hand fatigue. TIP: Ideal offers a Stripmaster Light for smaller hands, a necessity for smaller handed people in a production setting.

QUALITY OF RESULTS:
- In the right application, and with the tool being properly cared for, the quality and consistency of the strips will be first-rate. You will reproduce the exact same strip each time if it is used right. Since the tool's stripping action is controlled by smooth, linear mechanical motions (out of human control) you will rarely see strands inadvertantly cut off wires. People just can't consistently pull an inch of insulation off of a wire, over and over, with a jerking motion without breaking some strands.

DURABILITY:
- This stripper has A LOT of moving parts (for a hand tool), and those moving parts must work together on every operation. If the blades become damaged or misaligned it will cease to be an effective tool for you. If the clamps stop clamping the wire tightly, then you will be disapponted for sure.
- The Stripmaster's life span, durability, and replacement blade frequency will depend greatly on how well you care for it. If you understand that prior to purchase...raise the durability rating from 3 to 4 or 5 stars.
- If this tool is placed in the bottom of a tool bag with other tools thrown on top and the bag subsequently tossed in the back of a truck to be rained on....well, then prepare to be disappointed with it's durability and life span. And also be ready to purchase a lot of replacement blades.

The bottom line is, when you NEED a Stripmaster not much else can take it's place. Just make sure you really need it, and take care of it and it will take care of you.