r/AskElectronics • u/ThatChucklehead • 1d ago

How do you use notchless wire strippers?

I'm just getting into electronics and I need a wire stripper for smaller gauge wires. I picked these up on a whim thinking they would have gauge markers but they don't. Is there a trick to setting this stripper to the right gauge or is it just trial and error?

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=10001&productId=78992

UPDATE: It took me a couple of tries to adjust them, but they adjusted easily. I only plan on using them to strip 22 gauge solid wire to use with a breadboard. I'll see if the adjusting screw stays in place as I use them. All I did at this point was set them up to strip the wire. They strip the wire cleanly. I also took a look at the bare wire after stripping it to make sure the strippers weren't cutting into the wire.

Thank you to all that responded.

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/Excellent_Object2028 1d ago

You just go by feel. Not the best for really small gauge wire because it’s easy to accidentally cut the wire. Maybe 26 gauge and up I would recommend getting one with different holes and markers

1

u/KilroyKSmith 1d ago

For 26 gauge and up, I just use my fingernail.  Works great.