NEIKO 02037A Compact Wire Stripper | 4-in-1 Multi Purpose Electricians Pliers | Wire Crimper, Cutter and Gripper | 12-20 AWG Wire Service Tool | Crimps Insulated & Non-Insulated | Electrical Stripping

Before getting this tool, I have been stripping wires with a utility knife. It usually works, though sometimes it cuts too deep and cuts through inner wires of multi-wire cables like CAT5, or stranded wire and some strands get cut off. It's time consuming to strip wire this way.I finally broke down and got one of these. Wow! It makes stripping wires fast, easy, accurate, and repeatable. I tried it on solid and stranded wire from #14 house wire to the stranded wires inside CAT5 - all fast and flawless. An adjustable strip gauge is perfect for when having a repeatable strip for a critical length. The crimper and cutter are just more gravy.Basically, it seems to do everything it's supposed to do, and does it well. So what about the things it does NOT supposed to do? I tried it on the PVC casing of 3-wire #14 house wire. It doesn't fit into the jaws, so obviously that does not work. But it does strip the wires inside. I tried some very thin stranded hookup wire with a tough, slippery outside, and it could not get a purchase on that. These are the only things I have found so far that it could not do, and after all, it is not advertised to do these things.I tried it with the casing of CAT5. Flawless, and no damage to the wires inside; strips the stranded wire inside just fine too. Old 4-wire telephone cable: perfect, and it can strip the small gauge solid wire inside. I tried a thin shielded cable (just a bit more than an eighth of an inch thick) and it was able to take off the outside jacket.That speaker wire with the clear casing? Works as expected, but it can also strip both conductors at once (suggest that you split them first, which is easier than after stripping). It can strip both conductors at once for medium-gauge AC appliance wire.I'll update this report with results of trying CATV cable, other large-gauge shielded cable, and anything else I can find around.I'm very happy with this purchase, and only wish I had bought one years ago.

Best mine wire crimper I have used. They are cheaper but really good quality. I would highly recommend

I work at a Dealership local to me, where I do a large majority of all the electrical work. These pliers are really great. The tip of the pliers have sideways serrations, making them great for removing fuses in tight spots. The wire strippers work excellent for most automotive purposes. If you have extremely small gauge wires then you have to turn the pliers sideways slightly to get it to strip better, but certainly works well. My only two real gripes is that when crimping wires together, the pliers sort of dig into your hand. It's not too bad, but if you're having to do a major wiring job and splice a bunch of stuff together, then they can start to become uncomfortable while splicing stuff together.Also, another small thing, but the wire cutters are inside the pliers on the bottom side of the pivot. They cut great, but it is a bit awkward. Again, especially if you're using them to cut several wires, like replacing a connector pigtail.Other than that, they are a great all-round and do it all electeical pliers. If you're comparing them side, I think the OTC ones are better objectively speaking, but they are also $45 dollars. For that, I think you'd be better off saving your cash and buying these. Definitely recommended for someone to throw into an emergency tool bag in the trunk of their car. They get used all the time in my shop

This Neiko works by pulling the insulation off, stretching it until it snaps so the cut insulation ends are a bit jagged, and is most noticeable as insulation get thicker but importantly, its very unlikely to cut any of the wires while stripping. I found that thicker insulation requires just a touch longer length to strip as the insulation stretches a bit more before it snaps off; also the adjustable wire grip compensates for wire thickness to allow more grip or as the jaw wear with age.Before this was invented, best strippers had a fixed set of sharp AWG sized openings. You needed several strippers for different AWG wires. Those strippers worked well and fast, one squeeze they nicked the insulation just so deep and the other end pulled the ends off the insulation out. Another popular stripper has a profile of a T.Rex: you fed wire into the mouth; its front teeth gripped one end and pulled it off, and could take a wider set of AWG wires than the bladed version. The bladed version got dull with age, and if you chose the wrong slot, it could cut off a few strands of wire. The T Rex stripper does not strip a wide range of AWG like this Neiko can strip so you tend to need at least two or three T Rex types.ProsHeavy duty steel constructionWorks as described, strips insulation by pulling it apart until it snaps off so unlikely will cut wiresMade in Taiwan, the quality of finish, construction is highCan strip multiple wired cables like Romex!Extremely wide range of stripping, I've tried it from 26 -12 AWG flawlessly, its rated for 30-8 AWGAdjustable wire grip for slippery wires or jaw wear with ageConsLarger and heavier than most strippersNotes:There are many "copies" of this stripper design. All legitimate ones are from the OEM Taiwanese company KYP Tools and who invented the design in 1984. If you have a KYP, Neiko, and Irwin version side by side, they are identical except for the overmolded handles, color, lack of brand name on the OEM while the KYP has its logo in on the back of the head. KYP has at least 3 patented versions of this stripper as well as variations within each version. The Neiko model is KY665. FWIW I could not find the patent number for its claimed US patents. There are "non-KYP copies" that look similar but not identical, likely because KYP claims its patented in China. The true models are all KYP made.The enclosed photos compare a non-KYP version, Irwin, and KYP versions. You can notice similarities and differences.

These worked great for making up battery cables.