Larry Mashburn
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- TN
Use this simple trick the telecom companies don't want you to know about. https://imgur.com/gallery/WgE6cQX
Don't have your CAT5 strippers?
- Thread starter Larry Mashburn
- Start date
mraikes
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 1,856
- Location
- Los Lunas, NM
Dang, now I have to start carrying around a pencil sharpener, clothespin and a tiny wood screw in case I forget my stripper? 
I'll never find that stuff in my already full backpack.
I'll never find that stuff in my already full backpack.
Larry Mashburn
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- TN
My thoughts exactly. If I didn't have my strippers, I would probably use a razor, or my knife, or my teeth. I would not go through the trouble of mcgyvering that contraption.
Markverhyden
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 10,573
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
A good, sharp pocket knife has served me well for wiring work for over 35 years. On a side note, one trick I was taught on drilling rigs, a Bic lighter also works very well. LOL!!!
Larry Mashburn
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- TN
Lol, That's brilliant. Does it work on PLENUM as well as PVC? That sweet smell of burning PVC (hydrogen chloride). It may or may not be toxic, best hold your breath.
mraikes
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 1,856
- Location
- Los Lunas, NM
Ok, now I have to try this.
Markverhyden
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 10,573
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
All you are doing is softening the plastic. Soften then pull off. If you actually burned it you would burn you fingers pulling off the insulation. Of course, not being a smoker any more means I don't carry around a lighter any more.
Porthos
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 12,448
- Location
- San Antonio Tx
Strippers?
Sorry couldn't resist.
Neat idea.
I have a dozen or more of these that I have stashed in various places (laptop bag, glovebox, etc) for when I haven't got my proper cable strippers to hand:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sourcingmap-a12022700ux0127-Network-Cutter-Stripper/dp/B008G1WX14/
mraikes
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 1,856
- Location
- Los Lunas, NM
Oh. Well that's less interesting. I was planning on just burning it all down to the the bare wire. I guess now I can stop trying to find the flamethrower setting on this Bic...
Larry Mashburn
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 43
- Location
- TN
This is a much better solution. Dirt cheap too.
Cheap Geek
New Member
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- Georgia
This'll definitely be on my next Amazon shipment.
They do work surprisingly well too for such a simple/cheap tool. The punch-down part of the tool is useful too, despite the lack of 'punch' and cut action. I even use these instead of my punch-down tool when space is just too tight to get the punch-down tool in.
I also find them useful for checking connections after punching down. You can use them to go back over connections and give the wires another push to make sure they're all the way in. And, unlike a proper punch-down tool, because you're just manually pushing on the wire you can 'feel' if the termination is good.
I also find them useful for checking connections after punching down. You can use them to go back over connections and give the wires another push to make sure they're all the way in. And, unlike a proper punch-down tool, because you're just manually pushing on the wire you can 'feel' if the termination is good.
HFultzjr
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 907
- Location
- Central PA, USA
frostbyte5014
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 51
- Location
- Greenwood, SC USA
I've never used a cat5 stripper. I have always used my pocket knife to score the insulation lightly without cutting through and pull the insulation and it snaps at the score. It only takes a second. I find I have more control with the knife over the strippers.
frase
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 3,725
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
lol had them, maybe I got a xcheap ass version but broke on first strip, I just use my AlO tool 
I have 2 or 3 similar tools, one of which I always keep in my on-site box of network termination stuff, which I throw in the car when I'm planning to terminate some network cables. It's the unplanned stuff that the cheapo little plastic strippers/punchers are useful for. Since they're small cheap and light enough to leave one or two in my glove box, laptop back, coat pocket, etc, I've always got one to hand even when I've left my network termination box at the office.
Altster
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 1,393
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
What a great idea. Thanks for sharing this.
Altster
Well-Known Member
- Reaction score
- 1,393
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
I think that's what I did, too. It's been so long since I've done any wiring. And yes I have a tool kit full of the necessary networking tools. I think the main tool I used was similar to one pictured but I used it to crimp the connections. I also have a punch-down tool which came in handy for some wall plates that had that ability. But no more for me. If I were to run into something that needs wiring done, I find someone much younger and in better physical shape than I to do the work.
jzukerman
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 176
- Location
- Central Maine
Interesting. Ideal datacom cable strippers are what I normally use, and they look very much like a clothespin. Next item would be electrician free-fall snips. Finally a good sharp pocket knife as others suggested.
Similar threads
