Strippers and Crimpers Reviews

This is a good muti-use wiring tool, especially for those repair jobs where you have to do a combination of cutting, stripping, and crimping for a number of connections. This tool comes in several different brands, including GB and Calterm. This exact style appears to be being replaced by the Leviton style, so don't rely on this review for that style stripper.

The stripper works by differential gripping forces, with one side gripping the insulation securely while the other side grips and slightly cuts, then tears the insulation off the wire. A brisk squeezing motion gives the cleanest and most precise cut. Stranded wire gets stripped without cutting any of the copper strands, but solid wire may show a slight shaved area on one side. It strips about 5/8 inch right off the wire, or you can take a bigger bite and simply pull a longer section of insulation off the wire after the stripper has separated the insulation.

The wire cutter is a blade and anvil type and works OK for the entire range of wire, from 10 gauge on down. Cutting effort is reduced by the cutter being placed right next to the pivot. For most jobs this will be the only wire cutter you will need.

Remembering that this is an automatic wire stripper, the crimping function is decent. Not as good as a dedicated terminal crimper, but more than adequate, especially if you practice to get a feel for the crimping action. Crimping will take more effort due to the location of the crimping dies away from the pivot fulcrum. But the finished crimp should be tight enough for most connections.

As a wire stripper this tool gets an easy 5 stars, as a wire cutter 4 stars, and as a crimper 3 to 4 stars, for an overall rating of 4 stars.

No automatic wire strippers work to our satisfaction because they choke on little bits of insulation, lose parts, and are hard on the hands, causing repetitive injury. Regardless, this GB stripper gets 5 stars because it works better than any other product we've tried in the past 4 years of daily use.

We also have compared the JT&T Products auto wire stripper #5020F. Unlike the JT&T device, the GB allows the bits of insulation to fall out the back. The JT&T adjustment knob and plastic stop eventually fall off. The GB rarely falls apart.

Don't pay attention to any of the cutting/crimping features on the GB's handle. They are gimmicks.

Enjoy!

My son has used this tool while working on his car and commented that he was soooo glad that a friend had told him about it. I was changing out the switch on a ceiling fan/light and couldn't find ANYthing to strip the wire. I had resorted to a razor blade and remembered my son's comment about this tool. I searched around and found it. Took me awhile to figure out how to use it (nobody else was home to give instructions) but WHAT a MARVELOUS discovery! I was working overhead and this tool saved the day! I've hidden in my own "mom's toolbox"!!

The premier USA Knipex source, www.knipextools.com guaranteed lowest prices and free shipping

I've used this product for about 2 years and I've made a zillion cables. Since I've started using it, my failure/mis-wiring rate is probably 1 in 25 cables. With traditional crimpers, my failure/mis-wiring was more like 1 in 8.

I disagree with the prior post because it implies that using this tool requires one to straighten out the ends of the wire. That's not accurate because you have to straighten the ends for ALL crimpers.

Last point, there is a $10 cheaper version which requires you to cut the wire ends with a dyke. Spend teh extra $10 and buy this item.

The end pieces themselves are more expensive with this item but it is so much faster!

The tool works exactly as it should, simultaneously crimping the RJ45 connector and cutting the wires in front of the connector. However, be warned: the "ez" connectors require precise positioning of each wire as you feed them in. You really have to work at straightening the wires so that they will lay flat and insert all at the same time.

Klein is one of a handful of tool makers with a well earned reputation in the trade for top-quality tools. These wire strippers are no exception. High quality tool steel, comfortable, well designed, etc., they work well. I bought mine at Home Depot, since I needed them quickly. Lowes now sells them in my area.

I was just notified six weeks after ordering this product that Amazon can no longer acquire it.