This week’s EYE ON NPI (video) is the ideal tool for your workbench, and that isn’t hyperbole – it’s the WS3620.ITU wire stripper from Ideal-Tek, a Swiss company that is making really nice bench-top tools.
Ideal-tek’s adjustable wire strippers offer fast and safe stripping of the finest and most flexible conductors, strands, or wires in diameters from 0.12 mm to 0.8 mm (36 AWG to 20 AWG). Most wire strippers end at 30 AWG, or struggle at 30 AWG and don’t give you a clean cut. Some are automatic-style but are heavy and clunky.
This tool is very light, easy to use, and works flawlessly down to 36 AWG, so it’s great with our extremely fine stranded wires. There’s an adjustable stop so you can get the same lengths every time. Worked great when we tested with silicone, PVC or Teflon coverings.
Features
For 0.12 mm to 0.8 mm (36 AWG to 20 AWG) wires
Automatic wire cross-section scanning system
Safe and suitable for right- or left-handers
Adjustable length stop (5 mm to 45 mm)
Impact-resistant plastic
We got this tool for ourselves since we’re doing a lot of fine wire rework on PCBs and needed something that could cleanly strip 30~36AWG, but now it’s our new favorite thanks to its speed and reliability. We strongly recommend it, the price is also very reasonable for sub-30 AWG wire stripping!
Add it to your Digi-Key cart, so you have it when you need it – a good tool is worth its weight in gold and will save you a lot of frustration (and wire nicks).
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