what methods do you use to strip wires?

I use a pair of Klein's for 18-26 AWG. Available at Lowe's (maybe at Home Depot too), cost somewhere between 12 and 15 $ U.S., IIRC. Definately worth it.

Mark

I've both used and been responsible for production floor tools. Forget auto-strippers, combo stripper/crimpers, etc, for anything short of high production work. Ideal T-Strippers are my preference for a simple, rugged, precision stripper of high quality. These do nothing but strip, but they do it exceptionally well:

There are several models for different wire sizes and types. I notice Klein and Xcelite (both excellent brands) are now making similar versions of this great product, but this is the original, as far as I know. Ideal also makes other strippers and hand tools (click on Ideal logo).

nb

I have one of those, and it's amazing. Mine is for, I think, AWG 20 or so to about 28. But I've used it on fatter wire by gripping it gently and twirling it to score the insulation - the insulation gets weak enough to just pull off before you nick the wire. :-)

Cheers! Rich

It's not professional by any means, but I use an old pair of small all-metal scissors that are loose in the center, allowing the (nearly dull) blades to seperate wide enough to grab both sides of the insulation on a wire, and almost always cut it just enough for me to pull the excess insulation away easily by hand. I've used'em for several different sizes of wire, and rarely does it ever result in actually cutting the wire itself. That really only ever happens with really thin wire anyhow.

Finding a pair of scissors which can do such a thing probably isn't the easiest or best way to do it, but I thought it was worth mentioning nonetheless, considering how well it's served me! hehe.

You could use a Klein Tools model # 11046 wire stripper (good for 16-26 awg). They're available at Lowe's stores in the U.S., if that's where you are. Look for the red plastic handles.

You can also buy pre-cut, pre-stripped wires for breadboarding. They're available at Radio Shack in the U.S., and can also be ordered online.

Mark