A better way to remove electric cord casing?

[semenza]

  OK, all you electricians or anyone that may know.  Is there such a thing as a stripping tool to remove the outer plastic  covering / casing from an electric cord such as an extension cord?  Not stripping the internal wires.  I have been making up some extension cords and at least half the time end up nicking the insulation on the wire itself. I am sure the knife and thumb method works well for those that do it frequently but I always have trouble with it.

Seth

 

[woodie]

Paladin makes a tool for this. This is the one I use http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Tools-1820-Round-Slitter/dp/B000X2H7P6

I see they have a less expensive version now too http://www.amazon.com/Paladin-Tools-1822-Universal-Slitter/dp/B000099O6A

 

[es07Eric]

   OK, all you electricians or anyone that may know.   Is there such a thing as a stripping tool to remove the outer plastic  covering / casing from an electric cord such as an extension cord?  Not stripping the internal wires.  I have been making up some extension cords and at least half the time end up nicking the insulation on the wire itself. I am sure the knife and thumb method works well for those that do it frequently but I always have trouble with it.

Seth

I've been using this for some time now, mainly for large gauge speaker wire, works equally well on the few extension cords I've had to make up.

 

[semenza]

Thanks. I had done some searches but that type  didn't come up.  Didn't think of calling it a slitter. I take it they work in a fashion similar to a pipe cutter?

Seth

 

[dltflt]

Eric I surprised you put such a boa picture in one of your post.

 

[omega7]

[wink] I'm using FACOM specific tool and its very useful :

Multifunction trigger sheath-stripper

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Description :
• Trigger system: 30% less effort.
• Self-swivelling blade: fast and easy sheath removal.
• Double safety:
- Cutting blade out = trigger locked.
- Lock back blade.
• Capacity: round PVC cable 4 to 28 mm diameter.
• Stripping zone.
Weight: 150 g.

References :872271

 

[semenza]

Thanks for the replies.

Is this type another option or will this only do coax ?

Now that I am finding the tools I need to figure out which will do the best job. Looking to keep it under $30.  For the Paladin style shown above some of the reviews are not favorable siting ...........  "keeps slipping off and the swivel blade doesn't track well"

Thoughts?

Seth

 

[GarryMartin]

I take it they work in a fashion similar to a pipe cutter?

You can use a sharp (small-bore) pipe cutter, but obviously not in an insulation "slitting" capacity, only to run round the cable.

 

[tbellemare]

Have you ever used a coax stripper, Seth? I would think you could adjust one for the task at hand and get the second cutter out of the way.

Tom

 

[semenza]

Have you ever used a coax stripper, Seth? I would think you could adjust one for the task at hand and get the second cutter out of the way.

Tom

  Yes, I actually have a coax stripper. It's the "fully mechanized"  type. It is only good for two sizes of coax and is not adjustable. But I could see the other type doing the job.

Seth

 

[es07Eric]

Eric I surprised you put such a boa picture in one of your post.

LOL!  Don, I was waiting for a reply like this!  I was wrapping up routing on the CMS and had the iPad in the shop as I use it to stream music.  I saw Seth's post and replied, I debated grabbing the camera but there was still too much dust in the air! 

As they say, the best camera is the one you have with you!

Seth, the Paladin stripper will allow you to turn the cutter perpendicular to the cord after scoring it at the "strip" line.  This is an extremely useful feature as some jackets can be stubborn when trying to separate the outer skin from the the inner conductors.  Once slit along the line, you can easily split the jacket allowing you to peel the outer layer like a banana!

Hope this helps!

 

[CrazyLarry]

I thought I'd resurrect this one with a hopefully useful option...

CK and others make an automated cable stripper which works both on flat and round pvc / pvc cable for outer sheathing and inner insulation.

When using it for outer sheathing a light score with a cable knife over and under locates where the cable will separate then work to it 3/4" at a time. This gives a much cleaner and precise finish to the outer cut.

For inner insulation striping no need for the scoring, set distance to strip with the stop, butt the cable to it and pull.
Particularly good when you say need a consistent 10mm length of exposed wire for wago connectors.

This is the CK version
http://www.toolventure.co.uk/hand-tools/ck-495001.html

It's only flaw is the ease with which you can 'crimp' your fingers in the crimping jaws if you're not careful!

 

[tjbnwi]

Use a seam ripper. Insert it in the jacket open end, push the distance you want to strip back the jacket, pull the jacket off the wires, cut with whatever.

http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-638-Deluxe-Seam-Ripper/dp/B0001DSIVY

Tom

 

[BMH]

http://www.irwin.com/tools/pliers-adjustable-wrenches/self-adjusting-wire-stripper

Is this the US version of the CK stripper

 

[tjbnwi]

Neither the CK or the Irwin will work it the situation Seth is describing. Both to these are for what we call here Romex (actual name is Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cacle: NM, NMC, NMS). I use these as I do not like the auto strippers.

http://www.toolbarn.com/southwire-58-27-87.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=southwire-58-27-85&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7vmgBRDdnLPZp7aBlroBEiQA7_NmV2gDsLmNqo51YeLHITyb5nulus6Wvj9xLpiLjdq1ZScaAo6Q8P8HAQ

In the picture notice the die area to strip the NM jacket without damaging the conductor insulation.

I read Seths question as he is trying to remove the jacket from a round extension cord such as SO, SE, SJO.

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

When I'm stripping NMC, I use Klein's Kurve Dual Non-Metallic Cable Stripper/Cutter, virtually a duplicate of the ones Tom uses.  For coax, I use a tool that is the equivalent of this one.  When it comes to portable cable and UTP, I still use a very sharp knife with the cable tightly looped over a finger and cut VERY carefully.  Some cable (mostly UTP and STP) has what amounts to a "rip cord" within the sheath that is used to open the sheath without damage to the individual conductors' insulation. 

 

[CrazyLarry]

Overhere the Romex type cable (T&E) is clad in PVC so splits very easily under tension if scored first. *most* of wat you call cord (we call flex) is also clad in pvc so although round not oval splits in exactly the same way.

I understand the SO / SE / SJO is neoprene instead does it just stretch under tension even when scored?

Sparktrician: a sharp knife always works with enough practice

These are somewhat equivalent to the klein tools you mention, with notches and gaps for stripping different diameters, they take a while to get used to but so comfortable once you have.

http://www.toolventure.co.uk/hand-tools/wih-30661.html

I have no connection with this company btw just like their site! ... and tools...

 

[semenza]

Neither the CK or the Irwin will work it the situation Seth is describing. Both to these are for what we call here Romex (actual name is Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cacle: NM, NMC, NMS). I use these as I do not like the auto strippers.

http://www.toolbarn.com/southwire-58-27-87.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=southwire-58-27-85&gclid=Cj0KEQjw7vmgBRDdnLPZp7aBlroBEiQA7_NmV2gDsLmNqo51YeLHITyb5nulus6Wvj9xLpiLjdq1ZScaAo6Q8P8HAQ

In the picture notice the die area to strip the NM jacket without damaging the conductor insulation.

I read Seths question as he is trying to remove the jacket from a round extension cord such as SO, SE, SJO.

Tom

Yes, the outer covering on premade extension cords.

Seth

 

[tjbnwi]

Seth try the seam ripper to slice the jacket. I works very well.

You can also try electricians scissors, they are normally used with CAT cable.

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

Sparktrician: a sharp knife always works with enough practice

Precisely.  I recall when the phone company moved from 22 gauge IW to 24 gauge IW.  All of us were used to stripping the conductors using dikes (diagonal cutters), but suddenly found ourselves snipping through the smaller gauge wire.  We all had to recalibrate our hands to "feel" the difference between the wire sizes.