Wire strippers and cutters help electricians and DIYers prep, trim and terminate wire cleanly on residential, commercial and low-voltage jobs. At Ace Hardware, available options may include strippers, crimpers, diagonal cutters, coax tools and full electrician's kits from Klein Tools, Milwaukee and other brands to match your gauge range and job type.
Choosing the Right Wire Tool for Your Job
Picking the right tool depends on whether you are stripping, cutting, crimping or terminating. Use this table to narrow the category.
| Tool type | Primary use case | Best for |
|---|
| Wire stripper | Removing insulation | Solid and stranded wire, coax, data |
| Crimper / combo | Attaching terminals and connectors | Lugs, spades, modular plugs |
| Coax stripper | Prepping coaxial cable | RG-6, RG-59, F-connector installs |
| Punchdown tool | Terminating data and telecom | Cat5/Cat6 jacks, 110/66 blocks |
Wire Strippers for Solid, Stranded and Coax
Stripper choice typically comes down to the gauge range you work with most and how often you switch wire sizes. Selections may include:
- Manual single-gauge and dual-wire strippers: designed for repeatable cuts on a known AWG range, often 10–22.
- Auto / self-adjusting strippers: can help speed up production work by sizing to the wire automatically.
- Twisted pair and coax strippers: intended for data cable, RG-6 and RG-59 prep.
- Ergonomic models: Some ergonomic handle designs can help reduce hand fatigue on long install days.
For broader project needs, browse the full electrical tools department.
Crimpers and Multi-Function Combo Tools
Crimpers attach terminals, lugs and modular plugs to prepped wire. Available options may include:
- Ratcheting crimpers: can help deliver more consistent crimps on insulated and non-insulated terminals.
- Compression and coax crimpers: designed for F-connectors and other coax terminations.
- Strip / cut / crimp combos: often used for automotive, low-voltage and general electrical work in one tool.
- Kit configurations: may bundle a crimper with matching cutter and stripper for starter setups.
Cutters, Shears and Specialty Tools
For cutting tasks, the right tool depends on the material and gauge. Common picks include:
- Diagonal and angled cutters: for general wire cutting and flush cuts in tight spaces.
- Lineman's pliers: can support high-leverage cutting and twisting on heavy-gauge wire.
- BX / MC rotary cutters: intended for armored cable runs without nicking conductors.
- Cable shears and electrician's scissors: often used to slit Romex jackets and trim insulation.
Coax, Telecom and Electrician's Kits
Structured cabling and rough-in work often call for specialty tools. Selections typically include:
- Punchdown tools: designed for terminating Cat5/Cat6 keystone jacks and 110/66 punch-down blocks, with ratcheting options for repetitive work.
- Coax installation and test kits: may bundle a rotary stripper, compression crimper and connectors for F-connector prep and continuity testing.
- Electrician's tool kits: can group strippers, crimpers, cutters and accessories for residential or low-voltage starter setups.
- Conduit reamers and knives: pair with conduit tools and fish tapes for full rough-in work.
What Gauge Wire Stripper Do You Need?
Match the stripper's gauge range to the wire you work with most, and use the marked hole for either solid or stranded wire since diameters differ between the two. For typical residential work, a 10–22 AWG range can support most outlet, switch and fixture wiring. Specialty data, automotive or low-voltage jobs may call for finer ranges down to 28 or 30 AWG.
Are Self-Adjusting Wire Strippers Worth It?
Self-adjusting strippers size to the wire automatically, which can help speed up repetitive panel or production work. Manual strippers tend to give more control on mixed-gauge jobs and often cost less, so the right pick depends on your volume and workflow. Many pros keep both on hand for different tasks.
Shop Wire Strippers and Cutters Near You at Ace Hardware
Order online for home delivery or store pickup, with strippers, crimpers, cutters and kits a few clicks away. In store, your local Ace team can help match the tool to your gauge range, cable type and project scope. To compare stock and pickup options, shop wire strippers and cutters near you at your neighborhood Ace.
