The 10 Best Wire Stripping Machines

In the Beginning, There Was A Light (Bulb)

We have none other than legendary inventor Thomas Alva Edison to thank for the introduction of commercially viable electrical systems.

Layers Upon Layers

There are different configurations of modern Romex wire, which, like Kleenex and Xerox, saw its most popular brand become a colloquial term for the entire field. Many large projects beginning around the turn of the 20th century employed wire surrounded by a layer of lead, and later aluminum. This provided increased safety and long-term reliability, though installation was pain-staking and the material itself rather expensive. Inside any sub-type, however, you'll find traditional insulated wire hard at work

The simplest NM wire consists of two parts: a conductor surrounded by insulation, most often a pairing of copper and a blend of polymers.

The simplest NM wire consists of two parts: a conductor surrounded by insulation, most often a pairing of copper and a blend of polymers. Despite frequent use of the word "flow," electricity does not run down the middle of a wire, but rather oscillates on the surface of the metal, just beneath the sheath. As home wiring advanced, engineers developed numerous braided and molded insulation types that surpassed previous materials in maximum load, heat dissipation, as well as water and fire resistance. By the 1940s, conduit became the order of the day, compiling dozens of wires together and turning former rat's nests into relatively clean projects. In the 21st century, metal, plastic, and nylon tubing are positioned inside the walls throughout entire houses to provide safe and easily serviceable power.

All these developments mean that today's wires are, functionally speaking, far removed from Edison's original patent, although they're still in agreement conceptually. In fact, humanity now has a strong enough grip on the flow of electrons that we're seeing power cords integrated with highly sensitive cables such as Cat-7 and USB-C. All of these follow the same basic rules, and use updated materials that cut interference and signal bleed to levels unimaginable a few decades ago.

Why A Wire Stripper

We may not consider it every time we plug our phone charger into an outlet, but the first requirement of wiring installation is simply gaining access to the actual metal conductor. A wire cutter, pair of pliers, or even a simple knife can do the job in a pinch, given the right touch and special attention to safety. On the other hand, if you have more than a couple ends to splice, you'll want all the work to be consistent and of high quality. Naturally, a wire stripping machine is a no-brainer for many professional electricians and contractors.

A wire cutter, pair of pliers, or even a simple knife can do the job in a pinch, given the right touch and special attention to safety.

Others will find quite a bit of utility in these machines, as well, due to the explosion of DIY electrical projects in recent decades. After a handful of auto or marine stereo installations, you'll definitely see the value in having a mechanical helper to remove just enough nylon. Additionally, secondhand wire is often still in great shape, even if its insulation is too degraded for use. In these situations, savvy builders and artists can not only reclaim the materials for scrap metal, they can even recycle and re-purpose old wire, allowing it to provide charge another day.

The most basic of these tools is a lot like a standard pair of scissors, except instead of a pair of blades, it's covered in holes of various sizes that correspond to particular gauges. These convenient handheld tools are ready at a moment's notice, and can often crimp and cut wire, too. A step above those are spring-loaded automatic options, which physically secure the wire and then remove the insulation, without any pulling or twisting from the handyman — a simple squeeze of the handles is all they require.

Scrap collectors and career electricians should consider a stationary stripping machine, which comes in both manual and electric styles. While they're a bit more complex than the smaller types, they're exceptionally easy to use, with some models able to automatically process dozens of feet of wire per minute. The right choice depends on the user's work volume, the space in their workshop, and their willingness to put in extra elbow (or in this case, wrist) grease to get the job done safely and effectively.

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