Having trouble with my new ideal stripmaster wire stripper

[Paul Joppa]

Newark lists those CK strippers for 2/3 the Amazon price.

[Thermioniclife]

That was a quick search Paul. But  I can attest they are great and long lasting. But as I mentioned make sure you are buying the German version marked CK not he Chinese OK brand. I used that pair for 9.5 years 5 days a week and they are like new. Plus all the BH kits. The only complaint is that it says 18 awg but it cant handle pvc as it is to thick but 18 awg thin insulation is fine.
Another classic stripper is the Miller 100 or the 101s in which I grind the spring rivet's off for the spring and adjust the stop to allow full lade Closure and after 8 to 10k strips you get the feel for it, no nicks.

[Big Bamboo]

FYI,

Today I received a follow up email from the Ideal company's customer service. Here is what they said:

 "John,

After discussing this with the team, the fact that the wire is Teflon coated makes the difference. The 45-097 is not meant to be used on the Teflon coated wire. The stripmaster wire stripper that would be best for your application is the 45-174 this has what we call a die type blade. There is a cost difference from the 45-097 to the 45-174 and we don’t sell direct."


I did a quick search and found the mentioned Ideal 45-174 stripper priced between $234 and $281.

FWIW,
I will be sticking with my current stripper, which is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-1917-SS-Stainless-Stripper-16-26AWG/dp/B00GFXD1TI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6ADUPWA3CXIQ&keywords=Greenlee+Hand+Tools+Stainless+Steel+Wire+Stripper+%281917-SS%29%2C+16-26AWG+Visit+the+Greenlee+Store&qid=1658851036&sprefix=greenlee+hand+tools+stainless+steel+wire+stripper+1917-ss+%2C+16-26awg+visit+the+greenlee+store%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-1

With this stripper, I'm able to strip 22-gauge Teflon solid core wire using the #22 solid wire hole. Occasionally it takes two passes to strip the wire, which I can live with.  More importantly, careful inspection with a jeweler's loupe reveals no nicks in the wire so far.

Hope this helps,

John

[2wo]

Actually The Greenlee is my go to stripper. I brake out the Ideal for very fine wire or if I have a bunch to do. If its working for you, you might quit while you're ahead...John