Some tools are so effective at what they do that one's time working in the area where they are used can be divided into the time before the tool and the time after. For me, this month's tool, the Ideal Industries Stripmaster wire stripper, is one of those. My projects have included electrical wiring since my age was less that my shoe size (which explains a few things about me), and for most of that time, I suffered with various $1.98 wire strippers that made getting a clean strip something of an art form.
Electrical work is as tedious as it is important to be done right, and stripping insulation from the ends of wires can be one of the most annoying parts. Countless minutes can be frittered away, leaving extra length in case the first attempt is unsatisfactory, cutting off the end and trying again. The Stripmaster cost a shocking amount of money for a wire stipper, until you use it on a big project. The time it saves would make it worthwhile buying one and giving it to the guy you're paying to rewire your restoration. I was introduced to it halfway through a major electrical project and was amazed at the increased rate of progress. I never want to do wiring again without something at least this good.
The Stripmaster is operated by placing the wire between its jaws and squeezing with one hand. A pair of jaws grip the wire on the insulation, while sharp blades cut the insulation and slide the unwanted part off the end of the wire, up to 7/8 in. (photo A). As the handles are compressed fully, a cam is engaged that releases the jaws, allowing the wire to fall freely away as the blades return to the initial position (photo B). The blades are replaceable if they ever get dull (likely to happen only if the tool is used continuously for a few years) or damaged. The most commonly found Stripmaster has notches in the blades for AWG sizes 10- 22. That covers most automotive applications, but other ranges are available, covering AWG 8- 30, and the blade sets are interchangeable. There is also the Stripmaster Lite, a compact version that is 50-percent lighter and has 40-percent less spring tension. Stripmaster Lite blade set cover AWG 12- 30.
