How to strip electrical cables with pliers not strippers

[@scottchiefbaker]

That was amazing... I've never seen a complicated task look so simple and professional at the same time. Well done sir!

[@AddictedtoTools]

Thanks Scott. I appreciate it

[@louiemorales6459]

Ive seen a lot of electrical tradesmen cut and strip wires since i work for a large water and power company but i have NEVER seen anyone strip wire like this pro right here!! Simply very impressive!!😃😃👍👍

[@rogerwilco8146]

So folks those pliers being used are called Linesmen Pliers .. Those pliers are made to strip line as a primary function. High Voltage Electricians often do just this , and this dude has alot of experience sure.. I am a Low Voltage Technician so i run line and bend conduit too , but i work with many different applications including networks , television and any form of security need be that cameras or maglocks , and of course fiber optic . From reading comments i think alot of folks got the wrong idea. You dont wanna strip all wires as descripted in this video. Only the high-voltage kind of wire would be alright. Otherwise you may end up messing something up and spending alot of extra time and money if not outright ruining the line as well..

[@jamiegillespie5854]

You should do life hacks in the trade, I would love to hear other tips out on the job site, that detail with leaving the insulation on to prevent copper strands is genius. The electrical industry is in good hands having guys like you with great workmanship

[@AddictedtoTools]

Thanks mate. I’ll look at doing some videos like that. Good idea 👍

[@jabaridockery2465]

3 wires at the same time bro 🔥... I been in the trade for 23 years and can't do that only 2 at the most for me... great video sir 👍🏾💪🏾

[@apmeehan]

Holy hyperflexible thumbs. This man is biomechanically suited to stripping cables like Michael Phelps is to swimming.

[@AddictedtoTools]

😂😂

[@dsmith3062]

You make it look so easy goddammit

[@AddictedtoTools]

Takes some practice. I have 14yrs up my sleeve. 😆

[@SLynch007]

I used to be able to run circles around this guy - but I got old

[@John..18]

I was all set for a serious rant, because you look about 15,, but having watched the video till the end, and can't fault anything you did,, great stuff,, 👍👍👍

[@shxnsham]

We have to do a demo tomorrow on how to strip and cut wires, thanks bro this is exactly what I need

[@takequite879]

Nice tip keeping some of that insulation on the the copper. I'll try remember that instead of trying to catch the copper in my hand. Usually rock pliers for stripping unless I'm doing board or plc work .

[@AddictedtoTools]

Good point with the board work. What style strippers do you use?

[@takequite879]

@@AddictedtoTools I had no idea what they're called or what style they were I've had them years I just had to Google cablestrippers to see if I could spot them apparently they're KNIPEX 12 11 180 - CABLE STRIPPING PLIERS . They're good if you're just at a cabinet for ages terminating.

[@paulanthony4089]

At first I thought this was going to be a fail but damn that was clean work. I can see the skill dexterity in your hands, your a Pro. Thanks for the video I’m going to try this with some scrap wire. Also will this work for double installed PV wire?

[@warthunderfather]

Saved my life trying to get this copper wire out

[@haroonali321]

I like your cable twisting style

[@lazarusblackwell6988]

THANKS FOR THE HELP MAN! :)

[@andrewgray3833]

Thanks Mat please keep the videos coming 🎉

[@AddictedtoTools]

Will do Andrew. Have a great week

[@leavesongrass]

What to do if you have a weaker thumb??

[@nothankyou5524]

I'm subscribed but I never saw this. I'm gonna watch it on my next break. Sounds interesting as f¥ķ! Thank you very much!!!! A thumbs up in advance. I'm positive I've never not rated any of yours, any other way.

[@iamthat7351]

Thanks. I am a lady setting up my 12V solar and was about to buy Cable strippers. I wondered if pliers would be better all rounder.

[@AddictedtoTools]

Pliers do take a little longer to get used to. 12v cabling will be a lot smaller and can be harder to deal with if it’s multi strand. If you can take some of the cabling to the store and try the Pliers vs the strippers, that maybe your best option.

[@iamthat7351]

@@AddictedtoTools thanks, I went to Bunnings and bought the Wiha. I have some 4mm and 6mm cables. I will see how I go with this project, I guess I will need to practice to get it perfect.

[@patrickjacobsen7805]

Definitely will be saving this tutorial

[@AddictedtoTools]

I’m glad it helped 👍

[@GS-lh2nx]

I was wondering about this since I saw someone do it. I wouldn't have thought it was possible. Pretty neat skill although watching you cut all that extra copper off makes me think wire must be a lot cheaper down there than here lol.

[@yoags87]

As a fellow sparky who has stripped cables like this for 20 years I now have arthritis that is extremely painful in my left thumb. If I knew that this would cause it I’d have used cable strippers years ago.

[@EmmanuelGonzalez-pw5eu]

Are you serious?? Wow.

[@ruelvillafranca1724]

Man! You're very efficient,,, and great pliers! Got to save money to buy Klein.

[@AddictedtoTools]

The Klein’s are great. Good if you can save for them as you said. Cheers👍

[@jsim5475]

This method with pliers is hit and miss if your well practice no problem but if you are caught out doing it for the 1st time with pliers it's not that easy to do it correctly . I recommend squeezing lightly to indent bit release.. cut the corner of the end of cable to expose earth wire then grip with pliers and pull it back till it meets the Dent and then cut of excess once its back or tear off

[@Hungrykittynomnom]

So Im the only one that still damages the wire underneath when doing this😂😂😂 brilliant. Guess it is one of them things I might finally get after 100 goes of doing it. Currently learning the trade and finding it a nightmare. Takes me ages to strip the wires etc.

[@sambo314]

I feel everytime i press down on the clamps im going to cut the copper inside, especially cuz its very thin wire How do we know if were pressing down too hard or not enuff?

[@AddictedtoTools]

Practice. I’d try it out a heap of times and with differing cables. You shouldn’t be cutting the cable. Only putting pressure on it.

[@GMBethHarmon]

If you're replacing a cable... use the cable that you're replacing to practice on.

[@ezekgarcia930]

You're too good my friend. Greetings!

[@ccmogs5757]

Have to agree the 8" insulated Klein"s are easier to work with , good vid , good pro tips ........

[@dannyc2261]

What are solid wires?

[@americanelectrician]

Those pliers look great. I wish Romex would striped like that. Great video

[@AddictedtoTools]

Thanks mate. They are definitely a great set of pliers. We don’t have the Romex gear here.

[@pgood7266]

Addicted to Tools does that wire you guys use come in solid or is it only stranded wire?

[@speedy9041]

can you do a video on how to twist pliers quick where you twist them like screwdrivers

[@misconduct8918]

Good stuff mate, you deserve more subs!

[@AddictedtoTools]

Thanks mate. It’s a slow road, but it’s been heaps of fun. I appreciate the words. Have a good weekend 👍🍻

[@banginghats2]

Great tips!

[@plumbraider2265]

How do you go about stripping 3 core round cable? Most cables in the Netherlands are round, I usually use croppers (cable shears)

[@gamervideo]

pinch around the outer sheath with your sideys and then use the method in the video and it works immediately

[@plumbraider2265]

@@gamervideo I’ll try! Also ended up getting a jokari stripper for the outer sheath since the insulation is usually really thick and I end up damaging a core because I need to squeeze the handles so hard

[@kartikkoshta6572]

nice and clean thanks

[@davy999]

No way as easy as he, with years of experience, makes it look.

[@mukhtarp9218]

I’m not an electrician. I’m a white collar professional. Doing some DIY electrical work. But I can recognise a master at work when I see one 👏

[@johnkremastos5713]

Nice work mate

[@AddictedtoTools]

Cheers mate.👍

[@nejoh713]

My thumb very pain use this technique for DC wire PVC insulation. Very thick insulation and hard.

[@tujames9492]

thanks for sharing!!

[@AddictedtoTools]

Any time mate. Thanks

[@shivajid1953]

some of my work demands identical lengths of strips and precision is key, not even one strand of wire can accidentally get cut - also I work on different gauges 10-24 so I use multi gauge wire strippers or vise grips - Your method is good if you cut same gauge of wires all day and can afford to have random length strips and don't mind a few strands getting cut - its better to use the ideal tools for each job rather than single tool. I have seen a lot of electricians take shortcuts and do less than optimal work - I used to use pliers to strip wires before but over time I have realized its better to use vise grip wire strippers or multi gauge wire strippers as they will do the job much cleaner, more precise and much faster

[@drivelifetv6670]

Nice,thank you for sharing

[@alishabab3]

Does this work on thicker cable like say 2 awg

[@R_obo]

When i place the cable between my fingers it slips when i push off with my thumb, how do i fix that??? Also appreciate the tutorial

[@AddictedtoTools]

hey. that may come down to grip strength. you may have to find a different way to hold it so it doesn’t slip.

[@curtiskelly1242]

I’ve been practicing and I’ve found that if your hands are even a little sweaty that the cable will slip right through. You need the three cables just protruding from the end of the outer insulation so you can also be holding onto them. Or if not you can just wear grippy gloves.

[@michaelshepherd8288]

Off topic but what have you used to hold those drills on the wall behind you?

[@AddictedtoTools]

From perchtools.com I did a video on it awhile ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3-uq2upYryHhc0

[@kddk937]

very impressive

[@Jayden_3742]

Starting my apprenticeship in a few months. Helps a lot but holy shit I'm slow at it. Need a lot of practice

[@rajnirvan3336]

That cable reminds me of 3 core and earth in UK. When it was red, yellow and blue. From 2004 wiring codes changed to brown, grey and black in 3 core and earth. With twin and earth was red and black now brown and blue

[@86Sando]

Nice pliers mate. I actually don’t even own a pair of cable strippers. I just use side cutters or pliers.

[@AddictedtoTools]

It’s been the way I’ve always done it. A lot of younger guys are coming through now and only use the trippers. I also know that the strippers are massive in the US. Everyone’s different I guess.

[@benjohnston8665]

@@AddictedtoTools US Electricians are a joke glorified conduit benders. Rest of the world use pliers to strip and we use multiple stranded cable so we have to twist them together. Single strand cable is the 50's shit., Wire. nuts are trash too

[@Jetway]

Thank you!!!

[@ryanmiller1433]

How come in Australia no one really uses wire strippers or even the auto strippers? (Irwin in particular)

[@davo7512]

Cause we fookin beasts

[@franciscoablenmianojr.7524]

How about big wire like service intrance or stripping in alive wire

[@anonymousasylum6561]

3:25: "everyone knows ah..." swear I heard him finish that saying "everyone knows ah.. sparkies are all gay" lol

[@SandeepSharma-kg2wn]

But if current flows in the wires

[@levithecreation424]

I keep failing at this the guy I work with has thumbs like yours. My ones can’t bend back like that lol

[@poiau7412]

same i cant do it either hurts my thumb too much so i use a wire stripper instead

[@kenzo4Ever]

Excellent ! How about the tinny ones like headphones wires !? Should we burn the cover or there ia another trick which you may put on video. Thanks in advance 😀

[@jayden4912]

I've used pliers for smaller wires as well but my go to is flush cut side cutters

[@Longtimerolling]

Nice.

[@jack8356]

Head yeah ima start doing that

[@extrolextyer570]

I'm building a lag switch so I need to cut the orange wire in the Ethernet cable

[@malwill54]

where's the video gone?

[@Z901Z]

I had to slow down the video to see how you twisted the cable!!

[@syuaibahmad7323]

Thx man

[@BASEBALLHISTOR]

That big ass wire is EASY TO STRIP!!!

[@Ryan-Ellis]

What does DIY mean?

[@AddictedtoTools]

Do it yourself

[@Ryan-Ellis]

@@AddictedtoTools oh wow, lol I’ve always wondered

[@catvoice5336]

Sparky’s 😂😂😂

[@kashi2843]

impressive but each job has a ideal tool, using pliers to strip is ok for people like you as you must be stripping wires a lot of times per day - I prefer a multi gauge stripping tool which can strip any size wire in a second with least effort.

[@AddictedtoTools]

Cheers for the feedback mate. I usually strip 1.5mm, 2.5, 4, 6 and some larger cabling. I usually use my pliers for all of it. We also twist or use ferrules here as we use stranded cabling. So being able to use the pliers for all of that(except ferrules) makes it easier and quicker. Depends on the person, the material and the job. 👍

[@chrisampere]

Filipino electricians never use wire strippers on removing insulation. Linemans plier is enough.

[@vzgsxr]

With current copper prices, you just wasted about 80 bucks worth of copper 😂

[@Actionmannin]

do that in a metal box sunk into a masonary wall

[@AddictedtoTools]

I have a different method for boxes.

[@alison5884]

This is like watching some kind of magic show. No way can I do that ...

[@alison5884]

I take it back, I just did it - thanks! 😀

[@DissTrackTed]

Fuck man I am so shit at this. My hands cramp up on me and I don't know wtf I am doing wrong. I just started an electrical apprenticeship and I feel like a fucking idiot.

[@AddictedtoTools]

Don’t worry to much mate. We all started off that way. Just takes time and practice. I still remember watching the tradesman doing it when I started. 👍

[@davo7512]

While you’re getting used to it you can spin your pliers around the insulation to make it seperate easier

[@ianhamilton2723]

Those arent pliers, they're called "Journeymen"

[@AddictedtoTools]

Hey mate, I’m presuming you’re from the USA. These are what we call pliers. What do you call pliers?

[@ianhamilton2723]

@@AddictedtoTools We call pliers ...pliers...but that tool you are using is an electrician's tool we call Journeymen

[@AddictedtoTools]

Sure, I understand you call it journeymen’s. How are these not pliers though. I’m asking what you call pliers.

[@ianhamilton2723]

@@AddictedtoTools Actually we call them Journeymens, but that's probably short for "Journeymen's pliers"

[@douglasdiggins8296]

I don't have that busted ass inverted thumb though...

[@normanbfifteen3468]

Dude... you will have arthritis in your hands you you do that all day

[@AddictedtoTools]

How’s that? It’s been 15yrs so far. I work with 60yr olds that also do this. What would you recommend?

[@normanbfifteen3468]

@@AddictedtoTools Dont get me wrong...that is the most efficient way I've ever seen...i couldnt recommend a faster way....its just that it puts all that pressure on your hands and thumb...it doesn't make your hands sore? I've been trying it. Maybe I have the wrong pliers.

[@AddictedtoTools]

No. I sometimes do this all day. I don’t get sore hands. I’m not sure how one would strip and terminate e cabling without putting pressure on your hands. Are you in the trade?

[@normanbfifteen3468]

@@AddictedtoTools No...not as a full time job like you but I wire all my own renos...and often doing plugs and lights. I use one of those mechanical strippers that you just put pressure on the handles and the teeth at top make the break.

[@AddictedtoTools]

That’s fair. I don’t knock some of those strippers. For me, it’s an extra tool I have to carry and it takes longer compared to my method. I believe people should use what works and is best for them. I appreciate the input Norman. 👍

[@mitchs7147]

First

[@Bart-Did-it]

Lol

[@PotatoesRnice]

Show us close ups. You probably have nicked

[@AddictedtoTools]

Hey mate. Why would I have knicked it?

[@PotatoesRnice]

@@AddictedtoTools very likely to occur using this method vs strippers

[@AddictedtoTools]

I can agree on that but it doesn’t mean it was probably knicked. I’ve been doing it this way for 17yrs and almost never knick it. If I do I redo it

[@PotatoesRnice]

@@AddictedtoTools do you find different brands of cable strip easier?

[@PotatoesRnice]

@@AddictedtoTools also knicked means stolen

[@LabiaLicker]

How do you go doing this with old solid core flex?

[@hasanurrahaman9743]

Nice video ok