Noah wrote in, asking if we had seen these new Klein Heavy Duty wire strippers. Yes, but only online. I might order a pair from Home Depot to get some quick hands-on time.
The new Klein wire strippers, K12055SEN, look completely different from any of Klein’s usual electrical tools. It’s certainly unlikely any of the Klein wire strippers that I own, from the jaws, to the handle.
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The new heavy duty strippers are said to be 4X stronger than other wire strippers, hence the heavy duty part. They can strip solid wire from 10 to 18 AWG, and stranded from 12 to 20 AWG.
Klein says that with this tool you can cut or twist up to 3 wires at once. You can also shear 6-32 and 8-32 machine screws.
The front jaw is knurled (cross-grooved?) for twisting, grabbing, and looping wire.
It’s not very clear from the first photo, but there’s a lock to keep the spring-action stripper closed for more compact carrying or storage.
COO: USA
Price: $30
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First Thoughts
I can’t shake the feeling that these pliers were inspired by Milwaukee’s wire strippers.
Here’s the 2nd generation prototype.
And, 2nd from the top, is Milwaukee’s 1st generation wire strippers.
The new Klein handle grip looks to be a cross between their Klein Kurve wire strippers, and more standard ones.
You can buy the new Klein heavy duty wire stripper for $30.
Hmm, does this new stripper take the place of their all-purpose pliers. It seems that these all-purpose pliers were perhaps inspired by Milwaukee’s design, with the new heavy duty stripper being more of an evolution.
But the heavy duty stripper looks different enough from past Klein and competitors’ offerings that it might have been designed from the ground up. I’m not really sure.
Which works better? Are either pliers/strippers now made redundant by the other?
I’ve never found complaints with my Klein wire strippers, and if there was something they couldn’t do, such as twist wires, I’d grab lineman’s-style side-cutting pliers or something similar.
Thank you to Noah for the heads-up!
Mark
As a home gamer, I think I only see the need for two types of wire strippers: Romex type and the type that does a lot of more.
Romex wire strippers:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Kurve-Dual-Non-Metallic-Cable-Stripper-Cutter-K1412/100630659
A lot more:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/URREA-8-1-4-in-Super-Duty-Wire-Stripping-Pliers-with-Terminal-Crimper-and-Screw-Cutter-298P/202797817
These feel like they would be better for the pro who knows what wire gauges he’ll be working on every time he pulls them out and doesn’t want to carry any extra pair of pliers (linemans or needlenose).
firefly
As for home use, I much much prefer self-adjusting type of stripper. They allow me to strip wire without even thinking about it. It just work…
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQ21CA/
Noah
I think the Klein all-purpose pliers were inspired by the Knipex Installation Pliers, which were the first of that style I saw. Southwire and Husky now have similar tools.
http://www.knipex.com/index.php?id=1216&L=1&page=art_detail&isMobile=&parentID=1363&groupID=2036&artID=32840
Klein also came out with a Linesman style pliers with stripper holes.
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/high-leverage-side-cutters/side-cutters-wire-strippercrimper
Dennis
I have never seen those Knipex ones before. They look intriguing. I think I would buy those before these Kleins.
fred
The only issue with some European electrical pliers and wire strippers is that they may have been designed for DIN standard wiring not AWG. Some however say that they are for the North American market. Its worth checking out before you buy.
Dennis
From the picture they do look more sturdy than what standard wire strippers look like. And the handles remind me of Engineer brand pliers out of Japan. That being said I have had wire strippers from all sorts of brands Klein, Craftsman, Ideal, Hakko, etc., and I don’t remember ever breaking any of them. So I don’t know if I need “Heavy Duty” wire strippers.
That being said, it looks like these are well made, and made in the USA, so if I was looking for new wire strippers I would give these a shot. The price tag isn’t that far out of the norm.
RamiroL
I recently bought a pair of the new klein heavy duty wire strippers. I work as a commercial electrician. The one and only thing I have a issue with is that the front jaw isn’t wider. It’s great for twisting wire and yes you can twist up to 4-#12 wires together and 3-#10. However before I primarily used my journeymen klein for stripping and twisting wires together and also to knockout the KO seals on 4sq metal boxes ( making holes in sheet rock, hammering down nails,cutting screws, pulling fishtape). The heavy duty wire strippers are not good in that area, need a few hits before KO comes out.
Yes I realize klein didn’t make them for that purpose it seems if they made these to be all purpose then maybe the jaws would be a little bit more bigger. Great tool though. It has its spot in my tool pouch next to my all purpose klein lineman
Jim Felt
I too have one and generally find that while it’s in my (ten ton it sometimes seems) Veto Pro bag I usually grab a more specific/specialized Kleins. But maybe I’ll try to grab it first for a while and see how it was intended to be used.
I have a bad habit for trying lots of self described “all in one” tools and still grab the more specific tool.
Always curious for me means I’ll try it and if I can’t at some future point recall the last time I used it I either gift it, take it to work where it becomes communal or to Habitat Re-Store*.
*Jimmy Carter can always find a good use for any decent tool.
Rock Hound
I just wanted to let you know that the school I work for has finally completely un-blocked your site. Even the “strippers” tag didn’t stop it this time!
Jim Felt
Heaven forbid you ask about a Milwaukee Hole Hawg!
Rock Hound
😀
Steve
Stuart! i need your help.
A while ago i saw a video with a pair of pliers that had screw cutting holes (for 6-32, 8-32 etc) that had a ratcheting action – instead of having to thread the screw in, you just pushed it, and then could cut it much faster and easier.
I’ve tried searching for it, but i cant figure out how to word it concisely enough.
Jim Felt
Never seen such an item. But remember all Klein like wire strippers have those two most useful for electricians cutters like that for a reason it’s always there, it’s fool proof, it self cleans the threads upon removal and it’s very customizable for odd situations. And that last point to me is the biggest advantage.
I, however, don’t have arthritis or anything (yet) the makes it hard to squeeze.
Stuart
I’m not having any luck searching for them either.
What was the primary function of the tool? Wire stripper? Stripper + crimper?
fred
For old sometimes arthritic hands my old Stanley 84-205 cutter applies much more leverage and still cuts cleanly. It has both threaded and non-threaded holes.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/stanley-84-205-soft-steel-rod-bolt-431215545
I’d think there might be a market for it were Stanley to bring it back.
Steve
as far as i can remember it was a fancier version of a wire stripper/cutter. i dont think there was any provisions for crimping
Mr. X
I recently bought these pliers. I did not like them at first, but after removing the spring and the locking latch, I found them to be effective and comfortable. They are also much better built than then Klein “1010” model strippers. I like them.
Michael
I just realized that I have 3 different strippers in my bag and use all of them. I have the first generation Milwaukee, a pair of auto strippers and a pair of the do it all strippers. And a romax stripper.
Alick
These remind me of the generic japanese wire strippers,
http://www.vesseltools.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/3500E_Series_4b2fd729ed193.jpg
but upgraded from pressed steel to cast.
The one failing with any combination tool like this is that the gripping part of the jaw is a long way from the pivot. Mechanical advantage is reduced and you can’t grip as well as you would with purpose designed pliers.
Chris Fyfe
Klein’s quality isn’t what it used to be . Concept is interesting , execution might not be up to the mark . Nowadays I mostly rock Knipex .
Chris
Matt
I’m an electrician and I had used Klein strippers for years. I got tired of them lasting less and less. My last set never cut a screw – as that ruins them fast especially a couple 8/32s – and didn’t last a year.
I have the R2 Milwaukee set and really like them. Much more solid than anything else I’ve had. The only thing I don’t like is the integrated pipe reamer. The sides and be kinda sharp and when you’re stripping all day some of the jacker puts up a fight and needs more than a wrist flick. I understand the whole multi-role tool but on a stripper? When I’m working with conduit I’m not stripping wire. It also doesn’t make loops as nice/easily as the old 2 piece variety. I do like the needle nose function.
That said I’d 100% go with them again over the old Klein’s. They feel solid and they’re far more versatile than the typical style.
Dan
I am hard on my tools and these things are up to the task. I use these every day at work and I love them. They look and work great. Nothing beats Made in the USA quality. Easily cuts and strips with no hiccups. Plier head makes twisting wire pairs a simple task. A great investment for any tradesman or hobbyist. A definite improvement from my previous pair.
#kleintools #kleincrusaders
Don
Sorry old thread, but here are my thoughts.
Started working as an electrician 38 years ago. So, I admit, I am pretty set in my ways.
Klien tools of course fill my electrical bag as well as everyone of my employees, most of whom I bought them for. Employees without the proper tools are inefficient. I use to basically buy them their first set, if they stayed with me long enough to learn, I credited a unseen dollar an hour to their tools, upon which I gave them a raise.
Now for all these new gimmick tools that everyone is coming out with, apparently there are large staffs of personal that need to justify their R&D budgets.
The new Strippers I can now resist buying, old days I would of course bought a pair. I keep two pair in my pouch, A dottie knock off of the old Miller Design ( http://catalog.lhdottie.com/item/tools-and-specialty-items/wire-strippers-cutters/ds1? ). And one pair of the multi notch design I use to cut screws (6-32 and 8-32) primarily.
The Dottie DS1 I can strip 24gauge Cat-5 wire thru #8 without nicking or adjusting.
Electricians should not need a multi-notch design…. I also use them to strip romex and MC cables. Though I prefer using the dikes for MC.
Otherwise I strip #12 solid all day with whichever pliers I have in my hand (dikes, linemans, HD longnose D203-8NCR)
The multi I only really use for cutting screws. Often I need to cut face screws when installed on Tile or granite. The decora screws are short but need to be just right to grab without pushing off of the back surface. I screw them till their flush with the pivot bolt then snip.
These new strippers/screwcutters would not be able to cut the face screws since they are too thick.
Their thickness would also take up room in my crowded pouch as well as add weight.
When working with live wires the design like the above will bring you into contact with it as well as add provide a greater area for accidental shorts to happen.
Though the end grip is nice, it still pales in comparison to the linemans D2000-9NE we use.
I presume these are for the DIY market sold at Home Depot, of course every young adult will want to buy a pair and test it out also.
I feel the same way about the new weird side cutters they came out with, the old work excellent and are less weight in my pouch. I do not need something larger with possibly less leverage.
World is a different place. We use to rely on products represented by brand. Most still call tissue a Klenux.
For me Rigid made great pipe wrenches and threaders. Skill saw worm drive. Milwaukee Hole Hog, saw-zall, hole shooter etc… Porter Cable Routers, Planners
Channel Lock adjustable Pliers and Klein my Electrical Tools.
Instead of making one set of excellent product that last years now days it seems the requirement is to try making everything from Cell phones to Refrigerators.
Jim
Agree with only the thickness can cause an accident while working on live wires. But if I were you i would try them before judging them. Very efficient for when u know ur cutting in boxes all day, don’t need your heavey linesman’s, the thickness and grip is comfortable, very durable doesn’t chip away on the end. And yes the thickness makes it harder to cut actual wire but again able to cut a less then usual and still use one tool. I guess it preference but I would get be them a try. They fit right where my old blue klien strippers fit.