Ratings & Reviews for IRWIN Vise-grip Wire strippers

Absolute Trash. Save You Money.

Absolute Trash. Save Your Money. I bought these Irwin wire strippers expecting a reliable hand tool, but they are completely useless. They literally cannot strip a single wire. Zero Cutting Power: Instead of cleanly slicing through jacket insulation, the jaws either crush the wire flat, slip right off, or mangle the copper strands underneath. Jammed Mechanism: The mechanism feels stiff and cheap, binding up constantly rather than grabbing and pulling the insulation like it's supposed to. Com...

Pass on this one.

Simply put, it doesn't work. I tried using it for house wiring, but it doesn't grip hard enough to strip the wire. I adjusted everything and even tried stripping just a little bit off the wire. It still didn't work.

Do not buy this tool

I bought it today and I wondered what I was doing wrong... It does NOT strip wires! I understood reading this page that I am NOT the problem. Add to that there should not be a cheap plastic gage on this kind of toos. Do not buy this tool. Now I have to put my work on hold and go back to the store to get another stripper. I hate beeing taken for a clown.

Sadly, they just slip

I wish I had read these reviews before buying. I'm experiencing the same issue as others. The jaws do not grip the insulation and just slip off. I have the adjustment knob as tight as it will go.

Not fit for function

This tool is not fit for its designed use. It slips constantly. Despite adjustment and ensuring the tool is clear it is an expensive paperweight. This seems to be consistent in the reviews of the wire stripper. Irwin can have it back.

Wire strippers

Springs break easily. Looking for repair kit. Have about 10 broken ones.

Not working

As everyone mentioned, it is not working no matter what kind of adjustment you do it doesn’t strip the wire

Never Work

Came here after being unable to get these to work....then learning they work for no one. Into the trash they go.

Don't Bother!

Got as a gift and I am incredibly disappointed. As other have mentioned it doesn't grip the wires and requires two hands most of the time to push the jaws together to get any grip on the wire. I wanted it for one handed work and it totally fails. I've been a big fan of Irwin products but this one is a dud, wish I had read the reviews before asking for one. Fool me once!

Worthless

I am the owner of an automotive business that specializes in electrical. Based on the brand and design I thought these would be an asset to my business. Boy was I wrong. they are horrible. Regardless of where I set the adjustment with the micro knob they refuse to grip the wire. I have tried a variety of wire gauges and if you happen to get lucky they might strip the wire on the 10th or 15th try. Very disappointed.

Doesn't work very well

I received this as a Christmas gift. Most of the work I do is with 18-22 AWG wire. It does not work very well. Especially with thinner wire, like over 20 AWG. There appears to be adjustments on the tool, but there are no videos or user manuals that I can find. Don't buy it if you are working with thinner wire.

Not as great as hoped

Works okay, nothing stellar. As some have noted, the micro adjuster doesn't really do anything unless there's some magical procedure you have to follow that isn't to be found in the package instructions (which there aren't) nor online. A simple 1 page users guide would be helpful.

Will not strip 14g wire

Will not grip insulation well enough to strip wire,

Junk

They don’t work! Wire just slips. Why would you sell something that doesn’t work????

Poor quality

I've had this tool for awhile now and used it sparingly and it seemed to work well. Put up a barn and started wiring it and the strippers completely stopped working. Doesn't matter what I do with the adjustment screw. Very very disappointed. I spent good money for this product.

Won’t work

Will not grip wire. Slides off. Unable to adjust . waste of money

Writer stripper pro

My go to for any wire job. Tried many different types of wire stripping tools, this is the best

Need help!

I bought this tool a couple of years ago and used it a few times. Lately it has been slipping like many other here complain about. The issue seems to be with the "micro adjusting" knob - I turned it all the way in and it seemed to grab much better. I have searched the internet for advice on how to use the "micro adjusting" knob but have found nothing, also, the included card with the tool did not have specific directions. Please tell me (and all the others) HOW TO USE THE "micro adjusting" knob?...

Product does not work

I bought this tool about 5-6 months ago. The "holder jaw" will not hold the wire in order for the "stripper jaw" to cut the insulation. It makes no difference what gage wire I try to strip. I barely use it anymore because it just doesn't work as advertised. So disappointed.

Shoddy product

Purchased this product a year ago but did not use them until last week when my garden lighting needed some mending. Well....they do not strip the wire correctly as the part that holds down the wire casing constantly slips...yes. .I turned the wheel for more pressure and the wire still slips. I really would like a refund but I am way beyond the Lowe's 90 day return policy.