Most Common DIYer Electrical Mistake When Cutting Cable Sheathing - 5 Tips To Do It Right! HOW TO

[@lamar9525]

Thank you, I like that Southwire Strippers.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for watching! Yes that southwire stripper is an amazing super fast tool! 👍🏽😊

[@tractorfreak1]

5:24 these holes labeled 6/32 and 8/32 are for cutting screws . These sizes are the most common screw sizes in electrical boxes , outlets , you screw the screw in to the length you need and you can cut it, as you unscrew it out it will repair the threads .

[@jefffuhr2393]

My junior high school electrical shop teacher, Mr. Dever, used his *THUMBNAILS* to strip the sheathing/insulation off just about anything--including Romex. He made sure that you saw him doing it too. Needless to say, no one in his class misbehaved much.

[@ramschannelreviews]

Thanks for the video. The Southwire Romex stripper looked neat but I think it can still nick the wire's insulation without you knowing. Maybe just needed more practice. I liked the first method though, perfect for my Milwaukee utility knives.

[@vichalen294]

Vic Halen 0 seconds ago Thanks for all the work you send my way. I get about 20-30% of my work as a state certified electrical contractor following behind "electricians", trunk slammers and DIY'rs who tried ONLY because someone like you on the internet gave them the confidence. Keep up the good work.

[@bullheimer]

First i learned with the cable rippers and loved them. Then i was taught #4 and it's the best as long as you do it often enough to keep that feel, then i switched to #1, .. be sure to keep both hands together so you don't cut one. And i still use that unless I'm ropping a new house, when i like the cable strippers and cut them Before i pull them into the box. I got wary of#4 since afci breakers came out with all the nuisance tripping that was happening. But now, it's probably the best and fastest as long as you don't twist all your grounds up into the sheath of you use Buchanons. I tried the rippers again but found the point got stuck in the paper so much it shows you down too much, so i quit using them. I never did a while buttload of new houses tho but all the guys worked with that were fast used #4. Ain't nothing faster i don't think. But you have to keep that feel for not slicing into the insulation by doing it a lot.

[@nativeghost]

I have a question for you on wago uses. Is it ok to use them for ceiling fan installs.

[@FixThisHouse]

I don’t see why you couldn’t. They are wire connectors 👍🏽😊

[@outlet6989]

Wire cable usually has a flat side and a grooved side. I always cut on the grooved side. Never seen that outer covering removal too. "Oh, Dear, I need to make another trip to Home Depot." Considerations for the DIYers: Any DIY project requires Time, Effort, and Money. Since you will save money on labor costs, spend some of that money to buy the tools you'll need. Specialized tools will pay for themselves in a short time and save you time and effort.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing and your input! 👍🏽😊

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Another method is to grab the ground wire with your linesman plyers and pull it away from the two insulated wires. That ground wire will slice through the sheathing easily.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing your technique! 🙏🏽😊

[@Deep_Divers]

Good tips!

[@ricks1611]

The holes in the Southwire stripper are not for cutting wires but to cut screws that you can thread in and not wreck the threads There is printing by them that says size 6-32 and size 8-32 sizes.

[@FixThisHouse]

That is true 👍🏽😊 but I use it to cut wire as well 😂

[@1975enoc]

Why would you use the holes for cutting wires when the tools has a cutter. That’s just dumb. Fix this house that’s beyond bad advice

[@ukaonuoha774]

Hey! Really helpful video. I'm running romex between 2 outlets on opposite sides of the same wall, so i'm just dealing with drywall. My question is, how much of the romex should be in the wall i.e. between the outlets? Should it be taut or should there be some excess romex in the wall so that there's some slack there? This might be a basic question. If so, forgive me, I'm a novice :D

[@danporath8258]

I like leaving 6 inches slack behind wall. Next guy has extra. Congrats on your remodel.

[@bullheimer]

Must be Secured within 12" of the box connector. Connectors are a form of securing. If they were back to back you wouldn't be asking this question. You'll probably be more than 12" so you'll need a staple or two

[@itaintrocketscience]

Electrician here.. Every electrician I know uses a razor knife, myself included. ( maybe the younger generations uses something else) Use a brand new blade and just graze the sheathing... Very simple, actually

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise! 🙏🏽😊

[@chezchezchezchez]

And, it’s not rocket science

[@dovidhousman1109]

There are romex strippers. Just like regular strippers but only for 14 and 12. The remaining space has spaces for cutting the sheathing of 12/2 and 14/2. I like them but they leave an inch or so in plastic boxes.

[@robertgeary7520]

Great video thanks

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽😊

[@brettmullins751]

Klein wire stripper is what I like

[@FixThisHouse]

Nice! That works too! Thank you for sharing 🙏🏽😊

[@brettmullins751]

@@FixThisHouse i enjoy your videos for educational purposes but I like that you are doing something to improve the quality of life for the people who watch the video

[@jerseyjim9092]

I have a cylinder type device that hooks under the upper part of the sheathing. You then push it up. It works well. Uing a razor knife is a very common method, even by electricians. I have at times cut into a conductor so I avoid using a knife and if I do use it I just score the sheathing.

[@FixThisHouse]

Nice! Thank you for sharing that technique! 🙏🏽😊

[@joeweatlu5169]

I use a similar tool. The end opposite the blade is designed to slip over a wire nut, making it easier to grab and twist it.

[@jerseyjim9092]

@@joeweatlu5169 Might be the same one. Its made by Ideal and called the lil ripper. I bought it as an alternative to the metal clamshell type which as stated in the video can sometimes nick the conductors. Its touted as a multiuse tool but Ive found it useful only for slitting the sheathing and torguing wirenuts.

[@Pr81039]

#1 is my way...

[@FixThisHouse]

Nice! Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽😊

[@mernok2001]

A utility knife should never be used for any electrical work.there are knives sepecifically made for wire stripping,last longer and have an affordable price.

[@timskaggs9960]

The problem with the last one is if you have several wires you can't get drop enough in the box

[@michaelosmon]

You can't even use romex where I live. Tip #1 - use conduit instead

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽😊

[@wellsnapyeah]

Where do you live?

[@sparky8910]

Great, another amateur trying to show how little experience can be dangerous.

[@marywittig1505]

Are you even an electrician. What do the numbers 8/32 and 6/32 mean to you??? Those openings on the stripper are not to cut wire...

[@FixThisHouse]

Bolt shears, but why limit yourself to just bolts?

[@marywittig1505]

@@FixThisHouse Because they're threaded to 832 and 632 and you'll ruin the threads to cut bolts

[@zinsco]

No way you ruin the threads cutting wire in those holes. Copper wire is so much softer than a 6/32 or 8/32. I never have nor ever would use those holes to cut anything other than a 6/32 or 8/32, but to say that you will damage the threads cutting wire is ridiculous

[@marywittig1505]

@@zinsco If hes giving them the opportunity to utilize it for something other than that what would stop them from utilizing it for something that would destroy the thread...ijs. I myself would prefer to use it for what it's intended use don't destroy your tools