Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, Pliers & Crimpers

Wire Tools – Choosing the right tool for the job

More tools might be needed to properly outfit a work bench for working with wire. Working on a project MacGyver-style can be fun and challenging, but using the right tools will always produce better results. Consequently, it is essential to comprehend the distinctions between wire strippers, cutters, pliers, and crimpers.

Let's begin by familiarizing ourselves with the American Wire Gauge (AWG), a standard method for determining the diameter of a single solid round electrically conducting wire. When determining the appropriate size of some wire tools, AWG will be mentioned. With AWG, a smaller wire diameter is indicated by a gauge number that is higher. It uses a circular mil system as its foundation; 0.001 inch is equivalent to one mil.

Wire Strippers:

In order for electric wires to come into contact, they are stripped of their insulation with wire strippers. There are two main categories: automatic and manual Naturally, there is the time-consuming scissor method and the destructive method of biting off the insulation, both of which can be painful and cost a lot of money in dental work. We do not suggest either of the last two approaches.

Similar to a pair of scissors, a manual wire stripper has opposing blades and a notch in the middle to place the wire. After that, the stripper is turned around the wire, removing the outer insulation but keeping the actual wire intact.

You can strip wires of various AWGs without twisting them with some wire strippers, which have varying notch sizes. Additionally, there are automatic wire strippers. While the other side removes the wire's insulation, one side holds onto it. Even though an automatic stripper requires much less effort, it can break thinner wires, making it unsuitable for all applications. When selecting a stripper, look for one that is easy to use, removes insulation from wires effectively, and preserves the actual wire.

A knife could be used to cut through a wire. Roll the wire with the knife on it until the insulation is loose enough for your fingers to remove. If you don't have a knife, scissors can also be used. The process of cutting the wires with a knife or scissors is laborious and takes a long time. While either of these approaches accomplishes the task, using a straightforward wire stripper will save both time and wire.

Wire Cutters:

Wires made of copper, brass, iron, aluminum, and steel are typically cut with wire cutters. The insulated handles of some wire cutters ensure that you won't be shocked by the wires you cut.

The intersecting jaws of diagonal cutters cut the wire at an angle, leaving a flat tip. These are known as flush cutters by electricians to distinguish them from symmetrical cutters, which leave a pointed tip. A flush cutter, in contrast to a symmetrical cutter, lets you cut a wire very close to its base.

Pliers:

Pliers have two levers joined at a fulcrum, making them similar to scissors in construction. However, when the two handles are squeezed, they have jaws that grip an object instead of blades that serve as levers. Even though pliers all have the same general purpose, there are many different kinds of pliers that are used for different things.

Typically, long nose pliers are used to move, bend, or loop wires and squeeze into tight spaces. Additionally, long-nose pliers excel at precision.

With their razor-sharp edges, wire cutting pliers can cut through thick electrical wire as well as nails and screws.

Micro pliers or electronics pliers have a small, narrow jaw that makes it simple to cut delicate jewelry wire or electronic components on circuit boards.

With their jaws bent at an angle near the tip, bent nose pliers make it easy to get into tight spaces.

The large, flat, and rectangular jaws of flat-nose pliers are used to bend and hold wires. The jaws have a large surface area, making it easy to hold objects tightly.

Wire Crimpers:

When attaching a connector to the end of a cable, crimping is frequently used. Similar to pliers, wire crimpers join two metal or other ductile materials (like wire to a metal plate) together. One or both of the pieces that hold them together are deformed by a crimper. Because some crimpers are ratcheted, you won't be able to release the pieces you're working with until a certain threshold pressure is applied. It is possible to crimp connectors of varying widths using ratcheted crimpers that come equipped with interchangeable dies. When looking for a crimper, check to see what kinds of cables or wires it can crimp.

Additionally, there are few suggested alternatives to a wire crimper. You could try using a knife and a thin screwdriver, but if that doesn't work, you might need a new cable.

Avoid ruining a good project by using the wrong tool because the right tool for the job is dependent on the task at hand. Keep in mind that cutters are best for, you guessed it, cutting wire, whereas wire strippers are best for removing the insulation from wire. Crimpers are the best instrument for joining two pieces of ductile material together, while pliers enable you to reach, bend, grab, cut, hold, and loop wire.