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#21309 01/31/03 09:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
I was recently reading a US DIY Electrical
book and it had a picture of a tool called a cable ripper, for use with NM type cable.
Tell me, do you own and use one of these tools, or do you prefer to use sidecutters to
strip your cables?.

#21310 01/31/03 09:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
J
Member
I prefer the strippers made for NM cable that cut the outer jacket. After cutting you just slide the jacket off instead of sliding the ripper up the cable and then ripping it downward toward the end. The pair I have is from Ideal with a cutter for 14-2 and also 12-2, Klein also makes a pair.

#21311 02/01/03 02:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 134
L
Member
Trumpy....i have 2 in my bag.
http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/74018.html

#21312 02/01/03 11:41 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
When I did a lot of NM-B work I would use the cable ripper but I would cut off one side of the bottom so you did not have to slide it up the cable, good when cutting in for panels.

Do the stripers that Jim mentioned work to strip long lengths?


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#21313 02/01/03 03:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 444
S
Member
We use a utility knife http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/44100.html

when we strip romex. It is much quicker and takes a little practice to get used to but once you use it, its faster than using a cable ripper. Anybody else?

[This message has been edited by Sandro (edited 02-01-2003).]

#21314 02/01/03 04:31 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 558
C
Member
I'm with Sandro. I have always used a utility knife and its pretty much standard practice here in the San Jose/San Francisco area. We always strip the cable after they are installed in the boxes.

Curt


Curt Swartz
#21315 02/01/03 07:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18
I
Member
When I wired new housing(many years ago)I used a sheetrock knife, it was much faster then a stripper


Larry
#21316 02/01/03 08:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
J
Member
iwire,

Yes they do work for long lengths, although I sometimes will make 2 or 3 cuts and slide off each piece. I still think that this is faster than a ripper and much safer than a utility knife.

The NM cutters also have a stripper in the tip along with a looping hole.

#21317 02/02/03 01:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
The rippers seemed OK for __-2 cable, but were not good for __-3. (As in 12-2 vs. 12-3...)

A knife does a nice, quick job. However...

Sharp blades slice;
Dull blades slip
Be real careful when
Doing the ol' cable-strip!

#21318 02/04/03 11:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Trumpy Offline OP
Member
Lighthouse,
I am probably going to sound pretty dumb, by saying this, but, How do you use the Cable-
Ripper?.
Your help would be appreciated. [Linked Image]

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